As the solar energy is on rise all over the globe , India gets another Solar-powered village in Bengal .It was celebration time for the people of Pandri, a village in the Purulia district of West Bengal, illuminated with lightening after years of hassle. The excitement doubled when the village was installed with first solar-powered electricity and also became the first in the country to evolve as a decentralized solar power village.
Like most of rural India, Pandri village, located at the foot of Ayodhya hills, always waited for its share of power supply. The installation has come as a boon to over 80 households, who were earlier heavily dependent on firewood.
"Kerosene is sold at Rs 40 per litre in the market. Now the money will be saved, thanks to the solar lamps. We are really grateful to the solar aid," said Kasinath Mahata, one of the villagers.
A non-profit organization in Bengal, under the Sri Sri Rural Development Program Trust (SSRDPT) set this up . The eco-friendly device has over 72 solar panels covering an area of approximately 2,000 square feet and drawing power from the 1.2 kilo watt solar power grid built in the region.
The village faces severe water scarcity problems. The Organization have installed a solar pump by the dam for easy distribution of water to fields. They also have provided solar lamps and fans to all the 80 households in this village.
The Villagers have also got a solar rice hauling machine installed with which the villagers can break the raw grains to make rice. So cooking has certainly become easier for them. Also, the installation of a 5 HP water pump attached to the nearby dam has made farming more convenient.
Meanwhile, the solar panel will not only reduce the daily problems of the villagers but will also minimize environmental hazards. The eco-friendly measure is seen as a move to end deforestation, simultaneously cutting down on green house gas emissions.