Lost your password?

In
an effort to provide clean, affordable and sustainable lighting in the remote areas
of Uttarakhand, Perfetti Van Melle India (PVM India) has launched a solar
electrification project.

The
project is the company’s CSR initiative and is being implemented in collaboration
with TERI. In its first phase, 50 solar-powered LED lanterns were given to 50
households – about 250 people. To charge these lanterns, a solar charging
station has been installed at village Dugari Khatta 1, which comes under the gram panchayat of Biriya Block in Khatima District of Udham Singh Nagar.

Situated
on the foothills of the Himalayas, Dugari Khatta 1 and Dugari Khatta 2 are dense
forest areas where electricity is yet to reach. Most people in these areas
still rely on traditional kerosene lamps – the hazards of which are known to all – for
their day-to-day chores.

Interestingly,
the centralized solar charging station is run by a woman entrepreneur who has
been trained by TERI for basic operations and maintenance. She will also be
responsible for monitoring and maintaining logbooks and faults/rectification status, daily upkeep
of the lanterns and solar panels, as well as maintaining contact with energy
enterprises for the regular service of lanterns.

‘Light
is a key issue in such remote parts of the country and can truly transform
lives. Through this programme, the productive day is effectively being
stretched by six hours, thus providing more time for domestic chores and
education. Solar energy is a great way to provide electricity in such areas,
since it is ecofriendly and self-sustainable. We are very happy to launch this
project and bring a positive change in the community,’ read a statement from Stefano Pelle, executive vice president and
chief operating officer of Perfetti Van Melle.

‘One of the major challenges faced by the
world today is providing sustainable energy. The task is massive but solutions
need to meet specific basic needs in an efficient manner. Lighting based on
solar energy is very effective for areas that are deprived or have poor
access. The “Lighting a Billion Lives” campaign of TERI is a step in the direction of
making clean lighting available to poor households,’ read the statement from IH Rehman, director, Lighting a Billion
Lives campaign, The Energy and Resources Institute.