The solar lantern helps Puja feel safe

A couple of days ago, I met members of the Durga group to learn more about the impact of the solar loan they had taken from Milaap. The members of the group are residents of Titlagarh, a town in Balangir district, Odisha. The town get its name from the Oriya word 'titla' which roughly translates to hot. It is considered to be one of the hottest places in India. The temperatures tend to drop as fast as they rise during early morning and evening hours. It took me two hours to reach Titlagarh from Balangir by train. 

Jyoti, the leader of the group was out of town during my visit, so I had conversation with the other group members Puja, Anita, Lakshmi, Kunti, and Chaya. Puja, 22, is the youngest member of the group and a mother of two children. Her husband is a driver and stays out most of the time owing to work. She told me that their area faces frequent power outages. She said, "The solar lights are of great help during the blackout hours. I feel safer. I need not worry about my children playing around with inflammable kerosene lights anymore." 

Lakshmi, 43, another member of the group told me that her husband - the only earning member of their family passed away three years ago. The solar light's helps them save Rs. 200, which they used to spend on kerosene earlier. I was happy to learn that the loan had benefited these women and their families.