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Rural businesses can stay up and running during power cuts

Written by Saptarshi Dutt Publish date 03-Dec-2014
Rashida Sarkar and another lady are about to receive new solar lanterns
Rashida Sarkar and another lady are about to receive new solar lanterns

I arrived at the DCBS headquarters in Dakshin Barasat, and noticed that the power had gone out. Mr. Animesh Naiya, the CEO of DCBS, explained that the small generator they had was keeping the computers running so no information got lost. He went on to tell me that for most people, purchasing a generator was a dream, because they are extremely expensive. The great thing I noticed was that most of the workers were using the Sunking Pro 2 solar lanterns that are normally distributed to various village groups through loans to illuminate their work areas. It then dawned on me that everyone in these rural areas are affected by the power outages, and that these solar lanterns could be utilized by anyone for most of their lighting needs.
 
Today, I was to meet with a large group of women who had already received solar lantern loans a year ago, but had just recently opted to apply for more solar loans. I asked DCBS loan officer Krittibas why these women were applying for a new solar loan, and he told me that the demand for solar energy within this group was extremely high. This goup, Mayna-1, headed by Mina Sekh, was considered a model group, because these women were extremely happy with the loan products and had convinced many other women in their community to get the solar lanterns.
 
I spoke to one group member in particular whose name was Rashida Sardar. She told me that she had purchased her first solar a while ago through DCBS in order for her to work on her "Chikan & Zari" embroidery work during power outages.  She also explained, "My son's [class 3] tuition classes never have to be cancelled anymore, because he can do his work with the help of the solar lantern." I asked her why she and her family had decided to get a new solar lantern, and she explained that her husband runs a very small stationary business in the local bazaar. His business is not immune to these power cuts and sales are often affected by them. With this new solar lantern, she hopes that her husband's business will be able to properly function even when the lights go out. She was very happy to hear that people from all over the world cared about their struggles in rural West Bengal and thanked Milaap and DCBS for their continued concern.

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