Village life lit up by solar power
Denizens of the 100-odd villages in north Karnataka had been suffering for want of adequate power supply and frequent power cuts.
The farmers, women and students were worst sufferers as their routines were being hampered due to the shortage of power. Their determination, coupled with timely assistance by Karnatak Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB) has changed their life for the better. KVGB is the first institution in the banking sector in the country to light up houses of the hapless villagers in the true sense of the term. In 1994 it associated itself with Harish Hande, the founder of SELCO and winner of the Magsaysay Award, who was working on providing solar energy to the rural population and started financing solar lighting even as early as 1995. He encouraged the bank’s branches to go in for solar finance. So far it has financed Rs 61.38 crore to light up 34,100 houses in 100 villages. Devagiri, a hamlet near Dharwad became the 100th village to be declared a solar village early this week.
Hande had bagged the prestigious Magsaysay Award for his achievement. It was The KVGB which encouraged him in his endeavours. The first solar light was installed in the head office of the bank in Dharwad in 1994.
Said KVGB chairman Sambashiva Reddy, “Abundant solar power combined with improved technology to tap the same have resulted in the production of equipment suitable for providing light and water heaters at a low cost. KVGB took the initiative to install solar packs in every house within its area of operation. However, initial response was not encouraging. The KVGB convinced the villagers and converted 100 villages into solar villages.”
So far, 38 villages in Belgaum district , 13 each in Bijapur and Haveri districts, nine each in Dharwad and Bagalkot, seven in Uttar Kannada, six in Dakshina Kannada,three in Udupi and two villages in Gadag district have been covered under the project.
Aravind Enagi, son of noted theatre personality Balappa Enagi in Udakeri village said solar lights had enabled his children study at night without hindrance. R S Patil of Neeralakatti said there has been a drastic cut in his expenditure on electricity due to the use of solar power. KVGB is popularising this initiative as Namma Manege Nammade Belaku (Our House, Our Light). ‘Solar’ loans to poor people had facilitated the process of financial inclusion in rural areas.
“Micro financing of solar products in rural areas did not help as it did not facilitate asset creation. Instead, KVGB played a vital role in financing solar products, which helped people living in rural areas,” said senior officer Ullas Gunaga.