MITRADHAM - AN ABODE OF SUN IN GOD'S OWN LAND

New Leader Jan 16, 2023: pp. 23-24

Om Mitraya namah! That is the sun salutation with which the traditional popular Indian holistic fitness module (surya namaskar) begins. In Sanskrit tradition, Mitra is one of the synonyms for sun, the source of energy for the planet. Mitradham - the abode of Sun is creative scientific idea in tangible form, with a link to the Indian tradition of venerating the source of all energy on the planet - a centre for solar energy!! 

An Idea for Change 

The centre began with the young, energetic and creative Physics professor of Sacred Heart College, Kochi, getting the insight into the issues the 21st century world will face - regarding energy needs and climate change - from his post-doctoral exposure with International Research Institute, Max Planck Institute, Stuttgart, way back in the mid 1990s.  Always a person with a creative bend of mind - as a poet, a musician, a scientist and a disciple of Christ belonging to the clerical order of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI), Fr. George did not waste any time to transform the dream into a morphous reality in the bucolic verdant village of Chunangumvely in Ernakulam district. It is 26 kilometers away from Kochi airport, the first international airport run totally on solar energy.  (It is worth recalling that the coordinator of the UN acclaim winning airport solar project  was in the delegation of entrepreneurs given exposure and orienataion to renewable energy installations in Germany as a Mitradham project) 

By 1997, the project was fit for launch in a campus of 8 acres.  A new building was built with inspiration from 'Inspiration' the architectural firm led by the eco-architect Jayagopal. The undulated terrain was left as it was and utilised to create a structure that would accommodate multiple levels. It could accommodate 32 residential trainees, and required minimum maintenance with minimizing on cement plastering and paint on the exposed areas of the building. Thus was born, perhaps the first ever fully equipped, residential research cum training centre for solar energy of India on 1st May 1999.

Gramswaraj in 21st century

From a solar energy focused centre it has gradually evolved into an experiment in holistic living and  development.  It looks at energy needs as a starting point of its work.  The centre has completed almost a quarter of a century, without having to depend on government for power or water supply for this vast campus, thus proving to be a lesson in local self-reliance (gramswaraj, as dreamed by Mahatma Gandhi). 

Efforts are made to produce food on the campus - vegetables, tubers, egg, meat, fish, fruits and spices. With 'dignity of labour' as a foundational principle, manual labour is part of the Mitradham routine.  At 70, Fr. George spends almost 6 to 8 hours tending to the land, fulfilling the creator's call in the Bible, addressed to every human being: 'to till  and keep the earth' (Gen. 2:15-17).  

Holistic Lifestyle - From Text to Context

The centre provides skill training in technology for food presevation using solar driers - he has experimented with drying fruits of all sorts, so that the fruits that go wasted during the harvest season, are able to be gathered, cleaned and dried for better use during off-season periods. This addresses,on the one hand, the issue of fruit produces being wasted, on the otherhand, gives the twin advantages of additional income for the producer (farmer or homesteads) and making safe to eat preserved fruit available throughout the year.  The products made using solar driers were found to be more delicious and clean compared to products otherwise processed. 

Mitradham campus is conceived as a tool for holistic life-style education - there are installations that convey the messages of healthy life-styles regarding attitudes to be nurtured in one's life.  There is one that gives you the experience of climbing a tree-house, while providing the experience of a view point. There are open air venues for holding lectures, discussions and interactive sessions adaptable for groups of varying size.  It also provides a few venues for silent contemplation and meditation. 

The campus lies adjoining paddy fields gradually rising in elevation forming the lower part of a watershed area. On its northern edge the campus includes some paddy field, which is cultivated.  An area of 50 cents in the low lying portion of the land has been converted into a water storage, which also serves the purpose of a natural fish pond.  For the residents it serves as a natural swimming pool.

Education and Action for Sustainable Development

Technically, it functions as the research and extension centre of Sacred Heart College, with focus on solar energy related technology as well as sustainable development. 

Fr. George's practical approach towards sustainable development has a three pronged approach of revering the planet 1)  productive action 2) preventing pollution starting through cleanliness campaign focussing on waste reduction and waste management and 3) an earth centred spirituality of joy in living. The centre initiated a district wise on-foot campaign  (padayatra) for 10 years from 2010 to 2020, contributing to the awakening of the region towards practical measures to be taken in this regard by individuals, institutions and local bodies. 

In the post covid times, Mitradham is widening its educational trajectory to the finer realms of human existence while not discarding its original focus on sustainable energy through dissemination of technology and awareness creation among community leaders. The new realms it seeks are those of truth seeking and peace.  This is addressed by opening its doors to all people of good will who are interested in promoting peace and truth to come together and explore together the means to attain happiness and peace. School and college student groups, educators, residents of local communities, people's representatives, voluntary action groups - all make use of the campus for experiential learning and insights for sustainable living. 

R-E-S-T for a Transformed World

Fr. George's formula for sustaining peace is REST - Renew, Energize, Share and Transform; which the centre has begun to offer as a package for those who seek and promote peace. It involves restful and energizing time on the campus, experiencing the campus energy, exchange of ideas, healthy food and resultant transformation.  In general, all programmes  are offered on the principle of sustainability on a cost-recovery basis. 

The vast campus is a centre of biodiversity with more than 150 species of trees and over hundreds of herbs.  The avian dwellers and visitors come to more than 50. 

The effort, to my mind is an effective re-creation of an earthly paradise - of abundance, joy, sharing and peace, which in development lingo, can be translated as a model for 'sustainable development'. It shows that such communities are not impossible. It is beyond a 'surya namaskar' (sun salutation), but a salutation to the creator of sun and all other beings  (daiva namaskar),  through creative ideas and action for 'the greater common good'. I hope the effort is sustained and replicated!