Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that deteriorating environment is posing danger to the existence of the society. Use of other means of renewable energy including solar energy can save us from this danger. Madhya Pradesh will show unprecedented work in the field of solar energy. The New and Renewable Energy Department was created in the year 2010, in Madhya Pradesh. After solar power generation of 400 MW in the year 2012, we have reached 5000 MW production from renewable energy at present. The target is to produce 10 thousand MW by the year 2022. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan was addressing a programme on the occasion of beginning of Energy Swaraj Yatra in Minto Hall today.
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Prof. Chetan Solanki Diamond of Madhya Pradesh
Lauding the innovations made in the field of solar energy by I.I.T. Mumbai alumni Prof. Chetan Solanki, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh is a state where diamonds are produced. Prof. Chetan is not less than a diamond. Today, when the temperature of the Earth is constantly on the rise and there is a great need to propagate and use alternative means of energy, Prof. Chetan has done extremely commendable work by taking initiative of Energy Swaraj Yatra. For this, he has established the Energy Swaraj Foundation. Madhya Pradesh government will fully support it.
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Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that efforts will be made to popularize solar energy further. Prof. Chetan Solanki, youth from Madhya Pradesh has proceeded on the Energy Swaraj Yatra for public awareness, and will stay away from his family for 11 years. Honouring him for this important work of national welfare, he is being made the brand ambassador of Madhya Pradesh. We shall have to participate in the efforts of Prof. Chetan Solanki. Prime Minister Shri Modi has also said that solar energy is Pure, Sure and Secure. It does no harm to the environment. Every citizen should extend heartiest greetings to Prof. Solanki.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that it is a matter to ponder as to what kind of Earth we want. The use of solar energy in Madhya Pradesh started with the 135 MW plant at Neemuch. Later, plants of 750 MW each were started at Rewa. It will be continuously increased. Solar power projects will be implemented in many districts. Citizens will get the benefits of cheap electricity. Prime Minister Shri Modi has got solar panels laid on water in Gujarat. Floating solar plot panels will be installed at Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that the use of solar energy will be extended for domestic use. Describiing such a house developed by Prof. Solanki as useful, Shri Chouhan said it is also a means of saving subsidy worth crores of rupees on electricity.
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Purpose of Energy Swaraj Yatra
Prof. Chetan Solanki hails from Khargone district. He has been doing innovation and research work on solar energy for the last 20 years. He has been awarded with 10 thousand dollars by I.E.E.E. institute.. Besides, he has also been given the Prime Minister’s Award for Innovation. His work in the field of solar energy is also respected because he coined the term “Energy Swaraj”. The Energy Swaraj Yatra which began today will continue till December 2030. Its objective is to apprise people with the use and importance of solar energy. The Energy Swaraj Movement has been started with the objective of motivating people to adopt solar energy as a solution by alerting people towards climate change.
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At the outset, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan reviewed Solar Energy House in Minto Hall campus and sought information about its method of working from Prof. Chetan Solanki. After the programme, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan flagged off the Energy Swaraj Yatra vehicle. He symbolically accompanied Prof. Solanki from Minto Hall to Raj Bhavan intersection on the vehicle.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan also congratulated Prof. Chetan Solanki’s team and family. The programme began with a group rendition of the Surya Mantra by Dr. Kalika Prasad Shukla and his comrades from Sanskrit University.
I am proud of my son- Shri Vikram Singh Solanki
Shri Vikram Singh Solanki, father of Prof. Chetan Solanki and a famer by profession said that he is proud of his son. Chetan went to Belgium after completing his schooling which he completed by studying under the chimney lights amidst financial crisis. He completed his Ph.D and put forth his thinking about his long journey for the welfare of the nation. Our family has given this permission to Chetan. Chetan will travel across the country while staying away from his family for so many years. Shri Vikram Singh said that he believes that every person should become the patron of environment instead of becoming its owner.
New and Renewable Energy Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Dung, MLA Shri Prahlad Singh Lodhi were also present in the programme. Principal Secretary, New and Renewable Energy Shri Sanjay Dubey gave the welcome speech