Once you get a solar panel on a roof, energy is free. Once we convert our entire electricity grid to green and renewable energy, the cost of living goes down.

— Elizabeth May, Leader, Green Party of Canada

The time has come for all of us to envisage a world where the future is powered by the sun, a world that collectively addresses the imbalance in investments in renewable energy. These profound thoughts were shared by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi while delivering the inaugural address at the first-ever International Solar Festival. Organized by the International Solar Alliance (ISA)—a powerful coalition of 119 member and signatory countries whose presidency is with India and co-presidency with France—the Festival brought together a galaxy of global leaders, technocrats, diplomats, bureaucrats, businesses, youth and experts in New Delhi in early September. We have a cover story on the event along with an exhaustive interview with Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General, ISA.

Indeed, as Elizabeth May, the environmentalist-politician points out, the time to get a solar panel on the roof is now. India’s solar energy capacity itself has expanded 32-fold in the last ten years to about 87.2 GW as of July 2024. As a co-founder of the ISA, India is committed to working with global stakeholders towards a green and inclusive future. At the same time, India seeks to address the imbalance in renewable energy across the world, and democratize solar manufacturing and technology. Commenting on the ISA, PM Modi said that the Alliance endeavors to electrify the global south, particularly Africa where over 700 million people do not have access to uninterrupted power. The ISA, he pointed out, had assisted in the development of 10 GW solar-powered electricity across 44 countries and played a key role in bringing down prices of solar pumps globally. At the same time private sector investment, particularly in African member countries, is being facilitated by the Alliance.

Speaking about the International Solar Festival in his interview with our Business and Diplomatic Editor Yogesh Sood, Dr Mathur has said that it helped unite communities, policy makers and the private sector for solar advocacy. Delegates were able to discuss ways in which solar energy benefits people by making it a part of their everyday lives. Besides, it promoted cross-fertilization of best practices between communities and groups. He also mentioned that his overarching vision for India and the world is to harness the transformative power of solar energy to drive sustainable development and energy equity. “Globally, my goal is to ensure that the success of solar energy in India translates into broader benefits for developing countries and supports the global energy transition,” says Dr Mathur.

On his part, Mr. Pralhad Joshi, President of the ISA Assembly and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, during his address at the Festival’s inaugural session, pointed out that India’s ancient scriptures such as the Vedas and the Upanishads frequently mentioned the sun as a vital source of life and energy. There are ancient temples dedicated to the sun such as the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, Modhera Sun Temple in Gujarat, Martand Sun Temple at Anantnag in Kashmir, Suryanar Kovil Temple in Tamil Nadu, Balaji Sun Temple in Madhya Pradesh, Katarmal Sun Temple in Uttarakhand, Sri Surya Pahar Temple in Assam and the Dakshina Temple in Bihar, among others.

Elsewhere in the magazine we’ve an interview with Mr R.C. Bhargava, Chairman of Maruti Suzuki, who has been associated with India’s biggest automobile firm for well over four decades. He himself describes his journey at Maruti Suzuki as a fairy tale. We’ve an exhaustive coverage of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Poland, the first by an Indian PM in 45 years. There are several other reports from across the world that could so easily spark your interest. Happy reading.

Sayantan Chakravarty
sayantanc@gmail.com