Campus Talk: IIT celebrates 1,000 days of energy Swaraj yatra
Marking 1,000 days of the yatra, the Energy Foundation on Tuesday launched a new campaign titled — “This election, think of climate correction”.
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During the course of the journey, professor Dr Chetan Singh Solanki has delivered more than 750 lectures in educational institutions, corporate houses, and industries, among others. (Express Photo) The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay celebrated 1,000 days of Energy Swaraj Yatra – an initiative by its professor Dr Chetan Singh Solanki, popularly known as Solar Man of India or Solar Gandhi – Tuesday evening.
Marking 1,000 days of the yatra, the Energy Foundation on Tuesday launched a new campaign titled — “This election, think of climate correction”. Dr Solanki said, “We want to bring the attention of politicians to this. With elections, climate correction will become the topic of prime time discussions and every individual will start thinking about it.”
Solanki, the founder of Energy Swaraj Foundation, embarked on a bus journey in November 2020 to create awareness about solar energy and its mindful consumption across the country.
The event at IIT Bombay on Tuesday, titled “1,000 Days, 1,000 Hopes”, was to celebrate the completion of the first 1,000 days of the 10-year journey but also create new hope for the upcoming 1,000 days, Solanki said.
Professor Dr Chetan Singh Solanki. (Express Photo)
“Climate change is now a topic in many discussions. But there is a great deal of unawareness on actions needed… With ‘1,000 Hopes’, I want to provide people with an action plan for the same,” said Solanki who is a professor in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering.
The bus on which Solanki travels has an AC bedroom, office space, kitchen with induction cooker, and a refrigerator — all powered by solar panels installed on the roof of the vehicle.
The bus has already completed one round of the country, during which Solanki has delivered more than 750 lectures in educational institutions, corporate houses and industries, among others.
“While the target audience is each and every individual, students from different educational institutions have been my focus. After all, they are going to be the change-makers. They relate to and understand the issue. They are generally more eager to know what can be done and are open to newer ideas,” said Solanki, adding that his visits are leading to the formation of Energy Swaraj Clubs in different institutions.
The Energy Swaraj Foundation bus has already completed one round of the entire country. (Express Photo)
He further said, “Nobody has to be told to keep away from the cobra as it is poisonous. Similarly, instead of preaching on climate change, if we create awareness among people on the issue and tell them about mindful use of available renewable sources of energy; the road to climate correction can begin more effectively.”
Nuclear physicist Dr Anil Kakodkar, engineering, innovator and education reformist Sonam Wangchuk and actor Dia Mirza participated in the event held in IIT Bombay’s convocation hall. The Solar Anthem song was released at the event.
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