Why am I fundraising?

As we turn off our electronic devices during the earth hour today, we should also spare a thought to rural India, where many people may not have electricity. Rural India, however, has adapted to using solar energy for their basic needs like lighting, cooking, etc. and is way ahead of metros in trying to maintain the delicate balance of our environment.

120 tribal families from Kumaria, a remote village located in Gumla administrative block, Jharkhand have come together to power solar lights, fans, TV sets and mobiles at home and productive power needs through their own village solar grid. The residents of this village have only 3-4 hours electricity per day.

They burn kerosene wick lamps for light after sunset. When kerosene stocks run out they live in darkness. The village has got small irrigation pumps which are being powered with polluting kerosene/diesel. With a view to addressing this, they have come together and have approached MLINDA to install a village grid. The grid would be safe, non-polluting and the savings will enable them to invest more in their children’s’ education and enhance agriculture.

MLINDA has been working in the rural areas of West Bengal and Jarkhand to introduce an environmentally sustainable and affordable energy system. The scheme gives people access to a distributed decentralised generation of energy with renewable energy technology. The model gives people a flexible pay-and-use option where they can pay as per their energy consumption from the grid. MLINDA is targeting to supply 180000 homes in India with renewable energy by the end of 2020.

What do I plan to do with the funds?

MLINDA would commission village grid, own, run and operate the facility. All connections will be metered and villagers pay as per consumption. Villagers prepay based on their energy requirement. Each of these 120 tribal households will get power for five hours in the evening and one hour before dawn. Each of the small irrigation pumps will get power for four hours during daytime. Village grid will power productive needs for four hours during daytime.

With the power grid, MLINDA can power the lives of 120 disadvantaged tribal households with opportunities and development!

Expected Impact