BAREFOOT COLLEGE TILONIA ANNUAL REPORT 2008 – 2009 BAREFOOT COLLEGE, TILONIA, 305816, (VIA) MADANGANJ, AJMER DISTRICT, RAJASTHAN TEL NO : + 91(0) 1463-288204 FAX : + 91(0) 1463-288206 E-mail :
[email protected] Web Site : www.barefootcollege.org SUMMARY The Ministry of External Affairs Government of India has recognised Barefoot College, (BC) Tilonia in 2008 as a Training Centre for illiterate, semi-literate and literate rural women as Barefoot Solar Engineers (WBSEs) from Least Developed Countries (LDC) of Asia, Africa and Latin America. The first batch of WBSEs from Tanzania, Uganda, The Gambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda and Bhutan have after completing their 6 month residential training during 2008 – 2009 in Tilonia, since, returned to their respective countries to solar electrifying their villages. A Special Cover was released on Barefoot College through video-conferencing by Sri Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister for State, Communication and Information Technology, Government of India from Delhi and simultaneously for the Chief Post Master General, Post and Telegraph in Tilonia on 16th December 2008. Community members, BC staff as well invitees including the Sarpanch, Tilonia Panchayat, were present during the function organised in the BC campus. A wide – screen was put up for the video – conference release and viewed at the open- air stage. This is possibly for the first time that a video – conferencing has ever been organised in a village in Rajasthan. A two day photo exhibition titled: Solar Lighting - the Barefoot Way was organised by the members of the Barefoot Solar Engineers' Association of Bhutan in collaboration with the Barefoot College, Tilonia, Rajasthan. This first ever exhibition put up by the Association was inaugurated by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck.