A photograph of IIT Bombay professor, Chetan Singh Solanki, recently went viral on LinkedIn. The image, taken during the Economic Times Energy Leadership Summit at a luxury hotel, Hyatt, in New Delhi, showed the professor working on his laptop on a sofa while wearing socks with visible holes.
But it wasn’t just the socks that caught everyone’s attention. It was Solanki’s meaningful response that left a lasting impression.
Known as the “Solar Man of India” or “Solar Gandhi”, Solanki is an advocate for solar energy and environmental sustainability. When the picture of his torn socks went viral, people were quick to comment. Instead of ignoring the attention, Solanki took to social media to explain the story behind it.
“Yes, my torn socks were exposed! I need to replace them, I will and sure, I can afford to – but nature cannot. In nature, everything is finite. Lately, I’ve been making a conscious effort to use material as efficiently as possible. I may use the best gadgets to enhance my productivity, but I strive to use the least amount of material to reduce my carbon footprint. Just as a businessman seeks to maximize the return on financial investments, as a social worker, I aim to maximize the impact of my time, creating the greatest possible change,” he wrote.
Solanki’s thoughtful response quickly went viral, with many praising his commitment to the environment and his humble attitude.
Once again, the “Solar Man of India” proved that true change starts with small, thoughtful actions.