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Hello there,
Do you know India is home to world’s largest population without access to electricity?
Almost 31 Million Indian homes are still living in the dark. Imagine over 240 million people in India who have not lit up even a light bulb in the evening ever!
Why does this happen despite India being a power surplus state (India exports power to neighboring countries – Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar!)?
Our debt-plagued state-owned power distribution companies (DISCOMs) find it an economically unsustainable venture to provide grid-connection and quality electricity to a village with 100-200 households. In fact, villages in Himalayas are not even on the radar of Government’s Electrification Plan.
What am I doing about it?
This September, I’m joining Global Himalayan Expedition 2018, an impact venture with a mission to electrify such remote villages and developing them to become economically and environmentally self-sustainable communities.
(http://www.ghe.co.in/index.html)
I will be part of a team of 20 members from 14 countries and 5 continents, which will trek ~150 km through the Zanskar Valley at avg. altitude of 14,000 ft to reach such remote villages and install solar micro-grids, power distribution system and household lighting.
Do you know India is home to world’s largest population without access to electricity?
Almost 31 Million Indian homes are still living in the dark. Imagine over 240 million people in India who have not lit up even a light bulb in the evening ever!
Why does this happen despite India being a power surplus state (India exports power to neighboring countries – Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar!)?
Our debt-plagued state-owned power distribution companies (DISCOMs) find it an economically unsustainable venture to provide grid-connection and quality electricity to a village with 100-200 households. In fact, villages in Himalayas are not even on the radar of Government’s Electrification Plan.
What am I doing about it?
This September, I’m joining Global Himalayan Expedition 2018, an impact venture with a mission to electrify such remote villages and developing them to become economically and environmentally self-sustainable communities.
(http://www.ghe.co.in/index.html)
I will be part of a team of 20 members from 14 countries and 5 continents, which will trek ~150 km through the Zanskar Valley at avg. altitude of 14,000 ft to reach such remote villages and install solar micro-grids, power distribution system and household lighting.
We will be setting out to lighten up ‘Sking’ – one of the remotest villages in Ladakh nestled in the Zanskar valley. It is ~800 years old and comprises of 32 households with a population of ~250. The nearest motorable road is 4 trek days away and it will take at least 20 more years for the government to consider its electrification.
The GHE team has electrified about 54 villages previously, and the smile on the people’s faces when they see the light bulbs glowing for the first time is priceless. Some of the previous expeditions have been covered by National Geographic and NDTV (link attached).
The GHE team has electrified about 54 villages previously, and the smile on the people’s faces when they see the light bulbs glowing for the first time is priceless. Some of the previous expeditions have been covered by National Geographic and NDTV (link attached).
How can you contribute to this mission?
GHE 2018’s expedition cost is $3200 i.e. Rs 2,13,500/- per participant:
This is where I would need help from all of you. I would appeal you to contribute to this mission and also share this with others who could help this cause. Your small contribution can bring a positive change in others’ lives.
Rome wasn’t built in a day and the world can’t be saved in a day, but you can start changing the world by being the ‘light’ in these people’s lives.
GHE 2018’s expedition cost is $3200 i.e. Rs 2,13,500/- per participant:
- (40%) Cost of micro-grids, distribution system and household lightings + its customisation
- (25%) Identification & surveying villages + Mobilisation of resources + Installation
- (15%) Initial support capital for cooperative fund + Training villagers
- (20%) Trek from Leh to village Sking + Food + Equipment
- (8%) Fundraiser platform fee - to be given to Milaap
- (Bearing myself) Travel to and from Leh : Rs 15,000
- (Bearing myself) Trekking gear (shoes, sleeping bag, woollen jackets, gloves etc.) : Rs 15,000
This is where I would need help from all of you. I would appeal you to contribute to this mission and also share this with others who could help this cause. Your small contribution can bring a positive change in others’ lives.
Rome wasn’t built in a day and the world can’t be saved in a day, but you can start changing the world by being the ‘light’ in these people’s lives.
Every donation is highly appreciated.
Thank you, guys!
Help spread the word.
GHE Impact so far:
- GHE has till date electrified 55 villages since it began with its pilot model of DC based electrification in 2014.
- Installed a total of 257 micro-grids with a total capacity of 41.8 kW.
- GHE has created 20 home-stays for tourists in the villages that have been electrified.
- There has been an increase in income of approximately $44,000 across the 25 villages electrified through engagement in tourism in 2017.
- GHE has also trained 35 villagers as entry level solar grid technicians.
- GHE has indirectly and directly employed 70 villagers to assist in its expeditions, village surveys and the solar grid installations. Of this number, 15 have been women who are leading home-stay related activities.
- Saved approximately 103 tons of Kerosene on an annual basis and helped mitigate 256 tons of CO2 gases on an annual basis from these solar electrified villages.
- “Some villages are embracing the Fourth Industrial Revolution faster than cities. This is how” - World Economic Forum
- https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/11/the-indian-villages-embracing-the-fourth-industrial-revolution/
- Power to the People, Delivering Computers to Himalayas - National Geographic http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/u/kc4y1Xiznk-5KBVnJOcA0lkzBEGcPq7eXWC9k8He5k1RThUPzSiWNqXp-qZPmZd3jJt9ici_bhLVXrI0s30022s5HS1BolT9s_4/
- “This Team Treks Hundreds Of Km In Himalayas To Electrify Villages That Are Not Even On Google Maps” – The Logical Indian https://thelogicalindian.com/my-social-responsibility/global-himalayan-expedition-treks-100s-km-in-himalayas-electrify-villages-not-on-google-maps/
- “From electrifying villages to making them self-sustainable – Global Himalayan Expedition’s journey of scale” - YourStory https://yourstory.com/2016/02/global-himalayan-expedition/
- “Microgrids Lighting Up Villages, and Lives, in India's Himalayas” - Renewable Energy World https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2016/12/microgrids-lighting-up-villages-and-lives-in-india-s-himalayas.html
