Barli Development Institute for Rural Women Installs Solar Cookers in Village Harsola and Jamli near Mhow

On May 24 2009 Barli Development Institute Rural Women installed SK 14 parabolic Solar Cookers in Harsola and Jamli villages of Indore district by handing over to 5 needy, desirous rural and tribal women members of Self Help Groups supported by State Bank of India.

Dr ( Mrs.) Janak Palta McGilligan, Director, Barli Development Institute for Rural Women, Indore introduced the overall activities of the Institute and its objective of promoting Sustainable Community Development through training of rural and tribal women as social change agents for their communities. She said taking solar energy to villages through women is just one of its priority as Institute believes that conserving and protecting the environment is a spiritual responsibility of human beings. These cookers have been given under their project sponsored by school children through an NGO PLAGE in Austria . The Institute has a policy that it does not give technology without training the user and it insists on nominal contributions by them so that they use it and value it.Women from Harsola and Jamli were, selected and sponsored by the State Bank of India.

They were sent to Barli Institute for 5 days training on how to use and maintain the solar cooker, also how to use it as an income generating tool, by cooking and packing snacks for sale during March 2009. Each solar cooker costs Rs 7000/ .PLAGE has subsidized heavily, by donating Rs 5000, State Bank of India has given these women a loan of Rs 1500 at only 4 % of rate of interest while the beneficiaries have paid Rs 500 each. The Institute has already more than 350 such cookers in use among the rural and tribal communities.

Addressing the women Dr. McGilligan said that there is scarcity of water in our part of the world, but solar energy is unlimited and we can get it free of cost. We should all use solar energy. The changes reported about these solar cookers in the lives of women and their families who are using, is remarkable. They are running Solar tea stalls, cooking midday meal on these cookers for their livelihood They are saving money and time by not having to get fuel. It saves time, energy, health, and dignity as there is always a fear of rape on the long distances to isolated areas to collect firewood..Using solar cookers is also much safer than conventional cooking methods because there is no risk of fire, gas leaks or explosions. The users are also very happy that the cookers being such a status symbol, more men have started cooking.

The women who received the cookers in Harsola Mrs.Shivkanya Bai,Smt Ramkanya Bai,andSmt. Rekha Kumre, and Smt Prbha Wati and Smt Sunita in Jamli had solar cooked rice and tea on their solar cookers that was served to all the guests and the members of their communities. Branch Mangers Sh R. K Ratnawat Harsola and, Mr Rajesh Mehta , Jamli welcomed and honoured special guests, Mr. Jimmy McGilligan, Manager of the Institute and his Solar energy team members Harindra Goluguri, Rajender Chauhan, Sakha Ram and Smt Nanda Chauhan.

Mr. R Senger field Officer of the Jamli. branch of the bank and Mr Himanshu Joshi at Harsola branch gave the vote of thanks after th programme.

By Janak McGilligan Director

Barli Developemt Institute for Rural Women.

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96th Graduation

On 15th of May 2009 Barli Development Institute for Rural Women holds Graduation Ceremony for the Trainees of it’s 96th training Programme Barli Development Institute for Rural Women held the Graduation Ceremony for its 96th training course of Community Volunteers of six months duration. 86 Women from 41 villages of Dhar, Jhabua, Alirajpur, Khargone, and Burhanpur districts of Madhya Pradesh, and from Bihar, Tripura and Chhattisgarh received their certificates.
In her welcome address the Director of the Institute Dr. (Mrs.) Janak Palta McGilligan, having welcomed the guests said “Barli Development Institute for Rural Women is a Bahá’í-inspired NGO working since 1st June, 1985. In bhilali dialect the word ‘barli’ means the central pillar that holds the whole house. This is the concept behind the name of the Institute that the woman is a barli on which rests the family and the whole society. If the woman is empowered then the whole society will be empowered. The residential training programmes of the Institute in Indore are free of cost. The Institute has three Extension Centres in Chattsigarh run by trainers who are also Barli graduates.
The main objective of the Institute is to empower young rural and tribal, socially and economically disadvantaged women who never had an opportunity to go to school or a few of them who dropped out of school. The Institute has been focused on its programmes of facilitating the process that each trainee can become ‘barli’ of her family and community. This is done by using a holistic curriculum systematically developed by interweaving literacy, health and hygiene, personal and community development, vocational skills such as cutting and tailoring, tribal handicrafts, batik and block printing, typing and computers, environmental education and kitchen gardening. The Institute does not consider the trainees merely as beneficiaries, therefore trains them as Community Volunteers and Grassroot Trainers who return to their villages as social change agents
The Guests were welcomed with gift of colourful mobiles made from reused waste material from cutting and tailoring training.
The Chief Guest was Padamshree Abhay Chajlani, Chairman of Editorial board of Nai Duniya newspaper group.and Dr. Sunanda Jain, an eminent gynecologist and social worker.
On this important occasion, a number of the trainees, several who had never gone to school, recalled their experiences of learning at Barli in the presence of the guests, beaming with confidence.
Miss Keru Sastia told those gathered that she came as an illiterate, and is now leaving with theability to read and write.
Hindu Tomar, from Alirajpur district, showed the audiance some of the items of clothing she learned to make in the cutting and tailoring training
Mrs. Mamta Rawal from Chattisgarh shared her experience about the training at the Institute.
Binu Kumari from Bihar shared her experiance while studying ‘Learning to develop myself and my community’
Uma Solanki shared her learning about Environment and Cleanliness, how she learned to make fuel briquettes from waste paper and leaves of trees, and making batik brushes from hair fallen after combing
Miss Kari Jamare talked about the importance of childrens education
Miss Yashoda Alawa from Dhar district spoke about the use and importance of solar energy
Miss Reena and a group from Khargone sang a song about the use of solar cookers in their villages
Program Officer, Miss Vijayshree shared her experiences of preparing the trainees for the ‘Cutting and Tailoring’ exam under National Institute of Open Schooling’. She said that during the first three months of the training the trainees learn literacy and they are then prepared for the exam in the remaining three months.
Mrs. Manna Sharma from Tripura said that all at the Institute are like a family. Just as a mother holds the hand of her child to teach walking, in the similar way the trainees are taught at the Barli Institute Trainees are encouraged to develop their capacities
Radha Chouhan of District Khargone shared her experience of training other trainees and said that when she came she wondered how she would be able to teach others, but then she gradually gained confidence. Along with training others she learned a great deal herself
A volunteer at the Institute, dressed up in a Sari, Ms. Maya Rose Chouhan from Australia, spoke in Hindi that she had learnt Hindi, Indian food, Indian dress Indian culture & she enjoyed a lot at the Institute during her period of service and she conveyed her best wishes to the trainees for their future progress.
Miss Noori, trainer for ‘Cutting and Tailoring’ shared her experience of teaching tailoring to the newly literate trainees.
Ajma and a group from Alirajpur sang a song about literacy
During the ceremony Padamshree Abhay Chajlani released the Literacy Book “Aao Padhna Likhna Sikhe Aur Sikhayen”. This book is published by Macmillan Publishers India Ltd, with the financial contribution fromTwo Wings Foundation, Linz Austria. The Deputy Director of the Institute, Ms. Anjum Sood, while introducing the Literacy Book ‘Aao Padhna Likhna Sikhen aur Sikhayen’ and the process of its development, said “it is an achievement of the Institute that this book is being released today. This book is the documentation of the experience of the last over 24 years in teaching literacy that includes exercises for the participants as well as instructions for the facilitator, it is written in such simple language that anyone can use it for conducting literacy classes in the villages. Literacy is fundamental to the development of intellectual and social empowerment.”
Shri Abhay Chajlani, while addressing the trainees said, “You are very fortunate to have been trained very systematically at Barli Institute. You will be able to pay your respects to the Institute only when you use and practice all these skills and knowledge.” He further said that three things are very important to show respect to one’s Nation – use of your own language, attire (dress), and food. You are the light of the country, maintain your cultural values, be determined, awaken the spirit of understanding in each other and make your families strong.
Dr. Sunanda Jain, an eminent gynecologist and social worker presiding over the function said that ‘When we loose wealth, it can be regained, if looses health, it is a big loss & the biggest lost is if we have lost our character. As women you should take good care of your health as you are the holding force of their families and if you are weak the families could break apart. She also emphasised that if one looses one’s character then everything is lost. You have learnt about all three at Barli Institute; take all these three messages to help your self and your communities. Share with others on your return to your villages.”
Dhedi Bagdhare conducted the programme, and Vijay Shree gave a vote of thanks.
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Some news from Janak and Jimmy’s on their US promotional tour

The flight from London to LA on 29th October was 12 hours but we were quite surprised that we not so tired after the journey..
Mr. Hoshang Samadi met us at the airport and took us to the home of Diane and Iraj Samandi in Malibu, a beautiful home overlooking the Pacific Ocean.


Next morning we could have a refreshing walk on the beach and watch some hardy bathers and seals bobbing around in the ocean, Then to relax for the rest of the day. Next day we were taken to see the Getty Villa Museum in LA and see some famous landmarks like Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills by Iraj who also has a connection with India


Display of Barli Products, Our Dear`Friends Hanju and Bob Kim-Farley

Next evening we would give a presentation at a fund raising event for the Mona Foundation hosted by Sima Mobini and her Husband at their beautiful home in Southern California,

their large home was really overflowing with guests. We had a surprising meet with dear friends from India Hanju and Bob Kim-Farley .We made aPowerPoint presentation on Barli Institute programmes .

This event was conducted Rainn Wilson Emmy-nominated and Screen Actors Guild Award-winning American actor.
On 2nd Nov evening we arrived in New Orleans.
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Jimmy McGilligan Participates in 3e Green Building International Conference in Taiwan.

Jimmy McGilligan Manager Barli Development Institute for Rural Women participated in the 3e Green Building International Conference 2008 on 14th to 16th October in Tainan Taiwan.
He gave 2 keynote addresses one on the first day of the conference at Kun Shan University on the topic of “Use of Scheffler Solar Cookers at Barli Development Institute for Rural Women”


On Day two of the conference he gave a keynote address at Far East University on the topic of "An Environmenal Friendly and Energy Friendly Campus.






While in Tainan he also spent a couple of days in a workshop of Mr. Woo teaching engineering students some the important factors about building Scheffler Solar cookers.
During this conference an excellent connection was made between the Barli Developmen Institute for Rural Women and Kun Shan University Far East University and many others.
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Parents Meeting at Barli
The parents of the girls being trained attended the two-day Parents Gathering organized at the Institute from 30th to 31st August, the mid point of the present 6 month training session. 121 parents, guardians and relatives from 44 villages of Jhabua, Khargone, Alirajpur, Dewas, Badhwani and Indore districts attended the program.

On the first day of the program, the parents were introduced to the methodology of how thetraining is given to the girls in order for them to understand the wide range subjects being taught to them. This they did by observing the sessions being held during the day on all the subjects, Personal and Community Development, Literacy, Health and Hygiene and Tailoring. During the sessions, the girls showed their parents their books, their hand-written notebooks, files and drafts and workbooks from the tailoring and other classes. One could easily observe the pride and joy with which the girls were showing their achievements to their parents. Also there were expressions of pride and satisfaction on the faces of the parents.

In the evening Dr. (Mrs.) Janak McGilligan, Director of the Institute, Mrs. Dhedi Baghdare, Program Officer, and Mr. Jimmy McGilligan, Manager of the Institute, gave a power point presentation on the graduates of the Institute who have taken training at the Institute in the previous years and how they were utilizing their skills they have learned, by setting up tailoring shops and other businesses in their villages and neighbouring towns, and how they were using the new found skill to teach others.

The presentation included information how the graduates were using solar cookers, and how the present trainees could obtain these solar cookers. The main purpose of the program on the first day to make the parents aware of the capacities developed and skills learnt by their daughters so hat they could support them on their return to their villages after the completion of the training in another three months.

On the second day of the training, the Director of the institute welcomed all the parents and relatives of the girls and thanked them for coming for the program. She asked them that now that their daughters have been at the institute for nearly three months, they have learnt a lot of skills and also there must be some transformation in them. The parents must be observing these changes in them. Dr. McGilligan requested them to share their observation with all and also to give some suggestions for making improvements in the training. Each parent expressed their happiness at the enthusiasm, dedication towards learning and transformation in their daughters.

Following are some of the emotions shared by the parents:

"I am very happy to see the very strict rule of not being able to meet our daughters during the training period. I feel very satisfied that my daughter is safe here. We, at times, are not able to protect our daughters at home, and here you have the responsibility of and taking care of the safety of 80 girls, and you are answerable to nearly 80 parents. On my return I send more girls for training so that after getting trained they help in the development of their families and the communities.”

“My daughter never used to do any work at home and that was one of the reasons we sent her here for the training. I am very happy to see her doing all kinds of work and she too is happy.”

“The training being given here is of great support to tribal people which will be very helpful in the transformation of life there.”

“My two daughters used to fight a lot earlier. They would not even talk to each other. I am very happy to see them together. They now love each other. This became possible only because of the training here”.

“My daughter showed me books that are being taught here and the clothes she learnt to sew.”

“My daughter says that she has learnt tailoring here and she will now support me in my old age.”

Along with parents, girls also shared some of their thoughts and feelings-

“I used to always think that I am very weak and that I know nothing. But today I feel that I can do lot of things in my life”.

"I used to feel very hesitant and shy of talking in front of others. Now I am able to speak without any fear in front of so many people.”

“Along with learning myself, I am also learning how to teach others.”

“I want to teach literacy to others in the villages who don’t know how to read and write”

“Earlier I would not talk to other people. Now I have learnt how to speak Hindi and also am able to talk to others”.

“I learnt here that we should all live together in unity because God has created us equal”.

“I learnt about cleanliness and hygiene. I learnt that I should not take water from the pitcher with my glass. I will teach all this to others in the village.”

“Earlier I would not talk to other people. Now I have learnt how to speak Hindi and also am able to talk to others”.

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Our Vocational Trainer Miss Nurnaj Honoured

On 25th June 2008 The Rotary Club of Indore City felicitated our vocational trainer Miss Nurnaj (Noori) for ”outstanding work done in the service of mankind”. While introducing her secretary of Rotary Club of Indore City Dr. SS Nayyar said she had been serving at the Barli Development Institute for Rural Women for five years and training tribal and rural women which are really commendable especially after she was herself trained there. Nuraj was presented with a fine shawl and a Certificate of Excellence

The background of Noori's selection;

January 2008, visit of Mrs .S. Lotte Dahl, a member of Rotary International from Denmark was visiting Indore, her local host Rotary Club of Indore City arranged for her to visit Barli Development Institute for Rural Women. She saw the diverse activities of the Institute including batik and traditional craftwork. Before going she stated that”it was a great experience and she learned a lot and is considering sending her daughter to volunteer at the Institute.”
She along with the local team of Rotary including their president, was very much impressed by the dedication and service of Miss Nuraj, after interacting in detail about how she actually conducts the training.
When asked to speak Nuraj, said that she has been awarded first time in her life and feels proud of it. It was very encouraging.
Miss Nuraj hails from Rampur village near Varanasi in U.P she was trained at Barli Institute in 2002 in Cutting and tailoring and Typing. Then she passed National Institute of Open Schooling exam. She started working in the institute as a trainer in the year 2003 and serving with complete dedication.

Posted By Janak McGilligan Director

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Our Manager Jimmy McGilligan Awarded OBE

James McGilligan (Jimmy) Manager of Barli Development Institute for Rural Women originally from Northern Ireland has been awarded an OBE in Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Honours list 2008. “For his services to social causes and the use of alternative energy in rural communities in India”, is the recognition of his dedicated service to the rural and tribal women in central India.
Born near Garvagh, Co. Londonderry, he has spent 20 years as Manager of Barli Development Institute for Rural Women, Indore in the State of Madhya Pradesh the multifaceted man has literally developed the Institute takes care of logistics & maintenance, infrastructure development, gardens & food production, information technology, audio visuals, environmental education, development & transfer of solar technologies, research and development, rural technologies.
For the last 10 years, he has been the pioneer in central India for manufacturing the large community solar kitchens in Madhya Pradesh with, ten meter square parabolic reflectors at the Institute, and installed then in tribal school hostels in Jhabua, Dattigaon, Dhani and an orphanage in Indore.
More than 300 domestic parabolic cookers in use in rural and tribal communities, these are sources of livelihood in a village Nathudhana , and in another district Jhabua, the tribal women thank him for giving a technology which is “gender friendly” “more easy to use”, “more safe and hygienic than firewood”. For them to go to collect wood is not just walking long distances in search of wood, it is also a struggle because of the numerous threats that they encounter along the way. For instance, walking through isolated areas makes them vulnerable to abuse and rape. They also suffer mental and physical harassment from forest officials, who stop them under the garb of enforcing rules and regulations relating to trespassing. The way back home is even tougher, when these women have to carry heavy loads on their backs. This is the time when they face the greatest threat. The maximum numbers of rapes in these areas occur during this time, when the women stop for a while to drink water, rest or relieve themselves. Of late he has installed Solar Water heating systems, Solar Dryers, Solar Oven, Water Distiller and briquetting etc. Jimmy’s work to promote solar cooking is another integral part of the main goal of the Barli Development Institute - the empowerment of young women through education and training.
Among 500 tribal communities, popularly loved and known as Jeejaji ( Brother in law) since 1988 when he married their didi (sister)Janak Palta McGilligan who was also, a Baha’i pioneer from Chandigarh, Punjab invited by National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of India to establish the Institute For Rural women in Indore in, 1985 a Baha’i inspired NGO, is the centre of their world, their home and their work, their passion and the purpose of their life. British citizen, a land reclamation and drainage contractor, left his country in 1986 to work on reclamation of saline soils at Rabbani School near Gwalior and to serve the rural communities in India in responce to the call from the Baha’i World Centre.
People who have seen the eco friendly Barli campus before and after his presence can only see how Jimmy has put his mind body and soul in to this Institute in it overall development that has contributed to the empowerment of more than 4000 rural and tribal socially and economically disadvantaged young girls and women who have returned to their community’s as social change agents.
The trainees are taught vocational skills, health, literacy and personal and environmental development with a systematically designed and published curriculum, are constantly monitored updated and improved. According to him it is very important for women to be educated and empowered in any society being the first educators of their children and their status should never be seen as secondary to that of men.
Amongst many other challenges he had to rise to in India, learning to communicate in Hindi was perhaps one of the most essential. Jimmy has managed to learn by simply picking up Hindi He is modest about his language skills and jokes that he has been here for 20 years and still can’t speak Hindi, while the joke being that he makes this claim in Hindi. He gives credit of this honour to Barli Institute, all its trainees and the staff with whom he works.
Photo Above; Members of Jimmy's Family celebrating near Limavady in Northern Ireland

Posted By Janak Palta McGilligan
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