Bad Gujran: In February NDTV held the first of its kind 24 hour telethon for the environment. The NDTV Toyota Greenathon was a non-stop television event that raised money for TERI's Light a Billion Lives scheme - a scheme that aims at solar powering villages across India that do not get electricity. After the Greenathon and the support from the viewers, over 60 villages will get clean green energy soon.
The village of Bad Gujran is one of the first villages where the Light a Billion Lives scheme has been implemented - this village was sponsored by Qualcomm.
Not long ago, this little Rajasthan village would plunge into darkness as the sun went down. Kerosene lamps were all that the villagers had to light up their lives. But these lamps also burnt a hole in their pockets and gave out toxic fumes. And they didn't stand a chance before the windy Rajasthan nights.
Well, not anymore. TERI's Light a Billion Lives initiative has brought a revolution to this village with its solar lamps, each of which costs a mere 2 rupees and lasts the entire night.
Mahavir Singh, an entrepreneur, in whose house the solar charging station is set up listed the benefits.
"With these solar lamps, children are able to study properly. It is also helping women in their
household chores," said Mahavir Singh.
Villagers say they can now work through the night and celebrate through the night, as it happened at a house where a child was born.
So, whether work or play, solar lamps have become an essential part of village life.