New Delhi, May 19 (IANS): While Apple CEO Tim Cook was busy revealing his business plans in India, a top Apple executive was in Rajasthan this week, visiting “solar mamas” and a rural school where students were imparted lessons on iPads.

Apple’s vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, Lisa P Jackson who reports directly to Cook, visited the non-profit The Barefoot College in Tilonia, Ajmer.

“Powerful: Visiting amazing solar mamas in Rajasthan and visiting a school using iPads to teach. @BarefootCollege,” she tweeted, which was later retweeted by Cook on Thursday.

Founded by social activist Sanjit 'Bunker' Roy, The Barefoot College trains rural women in assembling and manufacturing solar lamps, hence called “solar mamas.”

It also connects rural communities to solar, water, education, professions and advocacy to help communities and individuals take control of their lives and the well being of their communities.

Lisa oversees Apple's efforts to minimise its impact on the environment by addressing climate change through renewable energy and energy efficiency, using greener materials, and inventing new ways to conserve precious resources.

She is also responsible for Apple’s education policy programmes such as “ConnectED”, its product accessibility work, and its worldwide government affairs function according to the Apple website,



From 2009 to 2013, Lisa served as an administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency.