Students from 12 Nations Embrace Sustainable Development at Jimmy Magiligan Center

Inspiring Day at Jimmy Magiligan Center

Indore: Under the AFS STEM program at Emerald Heights International School, students from twelve countries—including the USA, UK, Germany, Japan, Indonesia, Egypt, Brazil, South Africa, Spain, Hungary, Mexico, and India—enjoyed an enlightening day at the Jimmy Magiligan Center for Sustainable Development. Here, they not only learned about sustainable development principles but also experienced them firsthand.

Spanning half an acre, the center showcased a self-sufficient and eco-friendly lifestyle. The legacy of director Janak Palta and her late husband, James R. Magiligan, inspired students through demonstrations of solar energy, wind turbines, rainwater harvesting, and the use of medicinal plants. Innovations like solar cookers and natural cleaners such as aritha and vajradanti illustrated a harmonious way of living with nature.

Students participated in an inspiring dialogue session with Janak, where they learned about the center's establishment, Bahá'í service journey, and efforts in empowering tribal women through a PowerPoint presentation. Through the Barli Development Institute, Janak has provided education and dignity to countless women. Her life story, which includes overcoming challenges from India’s first open-heart surgery in the 1960s to battling cancer, deeply motivated the students.

At the end of the session, Janak's words, “We cannot decide how we will die, so we must choose the best way to live,” resonated with the students. This experience encouraged young global citizens to adopt sustainable lifestyles and foster innovation. The international coordinator of Emerald Heights, Sarveshwari Singh, described the experience as transformative and expressed gratitude for the center's hospitality.

The Jimmy Magiligan Center has demonstrated that sustainable development is not only achievable but also serves as an inspiration that can pave the way for future generations.