ILLUMINATING INDIA

For many Indian villages complete electrification is still a dream. Many schemes were announced by the government to electrify these villages but none of them has been implemented completely. In India, only 65% of the rural households are electrified. Many villages have not even seen the spark of an electric wire. But very soon all of their dreams will be realised by DURON ENERGY, a South Africa based energy company.

Duron mainly deals in harnessing solar power and provides a cheaper access to electricity. Duron has developed a compact solar panel and a solar lantern which uses LEDs as a medium for light. Duron is providing a set of solar panel, 3 LED solar lanterns and a mobile charger at cost of RS.6000 only. It is cheaper than the solar lanterns supplied by the block development offices.

A fully charged solar LED lantern lasts atmost 30 hours. It is more than sufficient for a family living in a shack. For a bigger household, the set of 3 lanterns can be used for a period of 4 hours. You can also charge a mobile phone with the solar mobile charger provided in the set.

This initiative will really help the villagers to overcome the dillema and backwardness of electricity. It is a boon for the rural students who are not able to study during night. Now they can realise their dreams by burning the midnight oil. It will also help the cottage industry as the employees will be able to work during night. Within few years, the socioeconomic condition of the villages will improve.

Day by day young entrepreneurs are coming up with such innovative ideas. The government should help them by providing adequate financial support and act as a middle man between the company and customers.

By the efforts of companies like Duron and Selco, many villages in U.P. and Karnataka have been given an access to electricity and very soon every village will overcome the darkness and enjoy light.