PIB News Update: NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, Dr Rajiv Kumar met with Prof. Chetan Singh Solanki of Energy Swaraj Foundation todayand applauded his efforts on undertaking “localized energy self-sufficiency or ‘Energy Swaraj’ as the solution to counter the current climate crisis as well as to promote aatmanirbharta in energy consumption”.
Prof. Solanki has taken leave from IIT Mumbai to start a public movement through an 11-year-long ‘Energy Swaraj Yatra’.During this time, he will be driving around and staying in a solar-powered electric bus or a solar bus—a journey that is not a ‘vanvas’ but a ‘solarvas’. The vehicle will also house solar demonstration units and small training facilities. Prof. Solanki will drivethe vehicle to hundreds of cities and towns, universities and schools, and corporations.
The Energy Swaraj Foundation hopes to reach millions of people in various cities, in India and abroad, through this campaign. The Yatra intends to bring about an understanding and practical acceptance in society, at large, of the adoption of solar-powered solutions in a disciplined manner for fulfilling 100% energy needs.
Dr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog commended the initiative by Prof. Solanki for setting up some bold targets of awareness creation, providing training to 100+ million people and for bringing 10+ million households on ‘off-the-grid’ power solutions. He said this novel initiative will bring about a huge change in the understanding and behaviour of common people. It will help India achieve the huge target it has set for 2030.