As the sun sets on yet another day of my relentless journey, I am reminded of the infinite power it holds 每 the power that sustains life on our planet. I embarked on the Energy Swaraj Yatra with a profound belief in the potential of solar energy to reshape our world and combat the looming climate crisis caused due to use of carbon based energy. As this journey celebrates the completion of its 1000th day, I am filled with a mix of gratitude, determination, and a sense of urgency.
Climate is not changing, it has already changed, rather it is accelerating. Not only this, we are getting into a NOW or NEVER kind of situation. The world is at a critical juncture, where the effects of climate change are no longer distant but an immediate and tangible reality. And, it became very clear when I travelled across the world in 2019 and got exposed to the problems that every country is facing.?
※What would Mahatma Gandhi have done to solve the problem of climate change, if he would have lived in our times?§ was the question that struck me in 2019. The first thought that came into mind is a march or yatra. Hence came the idea of Yatra. My research and teachings in solar energy, application oriented projects, my affiliation with villages, experience of living abroad, etc. brought me clarity that the use of carbon based energy has created the problem and it is use of the solar energy that would help us to solve the problem, the manner of generation and consumption of solar energy must follow the model of ※Energy Swaraj§ or Energy by Locals for Locals. And, to achieve the goal of Energy Swaraj, I took unpaid leave from IIT Bombay and started an 11 years long Energy Swaraj Yatra, with the pledge to not go home during this time.?
The Energy Swaraj Yatra is not just a journey across miles; it's a journey into the hearts and minds of people, igniting the spark of awareness about climate change. This expedition, which began in November 2020 and will continue until December 2030, has seen me live a life of purpose within the confines of a solar-powered bus. This unconventional home on wheels is not just a means of transport but a symbol of the future we strive to build 每 one powered by renewable energy.
The concept is simple yet powerful 每 a 3.2 kW solar system adorns the roof of the bus, providing all the necessary energy for daily life including energy for cooking. This self-sustaining mobile abode showcases the viability and potential of solar energy, embodying the very principles of the Energy Swaraj. My Energy Swaraj bus has a bed, kitchen, washroom, library, office, training room, small temple and a small garden.?
During these 1000 days, the Energy Swaraj Yatra has crisscrossed 43,000 kilometres, crossing geographical boundaries to touch the lives of over 250,000 individuals. This journey isn't just about traversing roads; it's about bringing awareness about climate change among masses and encouraging them to take climate corrective actions. Through over 800 lectures and interactions, I've had the privilege to engage with schools, colleges, corporates, and regulatory bodies, each step taken with a singular purpose 每 to guide them towards a carbon-neutral future.
During this journey, I have experienced empty fields in the scorching heat, people trapped in the torrential rains. I saw the pure water of Yamunotri converting into chemical foam in Delhi. I saw concrete roads ripping apart forests and smoke of factories swallowing the sky.
I have experienced the lush landscapes of South India to the bustling streets of Delhi and the serene valleys of Uttarakhand, every mile covered has reinforced the urgency of our mission. The impacts of climate change are tangible, and the climate clock is ticking. The Energy Swaraj Yatra isn't just a personal expedition; it's a call to action, a clarion call for everyone to embrace the transformative power of solar energy.
Einstein said, ※No problem can be solved from the same consciousness that created it.§ This journey also gave me a different lens altogether to see the world and find the solutions, which probably I could not have visualised as a professor teaching and researching in IIT Bombay.?
?I have also developed the tools that would help people to transform their lives from carbon energy to solar energy which includes the Energy Literacy Training, Reduce Electricity Consumption (REC) initiative, the Ek Kamra Solar Ka Initiative, the Climate Correction Day (CCD) Challenge, etc. An Energy Swaraj Portal (es-pal.org) has been developed which allows people to access these tools for free.
As this journey continues, I am humbled by the appreciation it has garnered. A letter from our Honourable Prime Minister, Sri Narendra Singh Modi, acknowledging the significance of this yatra, serves as a testament to the urgency of our cause. But this is not a journey I undertake alone. It is a collective effort, fuelled by the belief that our actions today will determine the world our children inherit tomorrow.
With each passing day, the Energy Swaraj Yatra gains momentum, not just in terms of kilometres covered, but in terms of hearts and minds enlightened. It's a journey towards a sustainable future 每 a future where energy is harnessed responsibly, where solar power is not just a source of electricity, but a beacon of hope.
Let's embark on this journey together, for there is no time to lose, and the path ahead is illuminated by the brilliance of solar energy. As the sun sets on another day of the Energy Swaraj Yatra, I am reminded that the journey towards a better world has just begun.
This article is published in association with Energy Swaraj Foundation as part of our Climate Action series.?Prof. Solanki is founder of Energy Swaraj Foundation and Neha?Kumari is a research associate at? Energy Research Foundation.?