THREE HUNDRED students carrying solar lanterns marched on the Marine Drive footpath from Hotel Trident to Chowpatty, to launch a national electrification project ‘Chirag Light India Movement,’ on the evening of December 3.
The movement aims to provide solar lighting to 1000 rural households without electricity, located in the remote villages of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. “We have planned to achieve this feat within a span of one month,” said Jyotirmoy Chatterji, 23, president of the movement and a student of HR College of Commerce and Economics.
The solar lanterns that are to be used in the movement are assembled by physically challenged individuals and not purchased directly from vendors. This way one community helps the other to lead a better life. The workers are paid a monthly salary for the same. Thus, the project empowers two communities through a single purpose.
This national youth movement involves students from different schools of Mumbai- Queen Mary, BD Somani International, Cathedral and John Connon and DY Patil International, among others. Together the students have raised 41 lakh rupees in 20 days towards this movement, through door-to-door neighbourhood campaigns.
The group unanimously pledged ‘to unleash the power of youth by taking an initiative for transforming India,’ before starting the march. Bystanders at the Marine Drive were seen enquiring about the movement from volunteers sporting red T-shirts. “Solar lights are an easy to use, cost-effective source of energy. I applaud the effort of these youngsters, who could think beyond parties and gizmos,” said Ritu Bhasin, 35, a housewife who had come to Marine Drive for a walk.
Apart from the march, the group also carried out activities to sensitize the general public. Fifteen cars mounted with solar lanterns on their roofs, were moving alongside the youth rally shouting slogans ‘Why just a lal batti to bring change?’ (Why do we need an authorised VIP car with a red light to bring about a change in the society?).
Volunteers, displaying solar equipments were present at traffic signals between Marine Drive and Mahalaxmi. Whenever the signal turned red, they gave out a message- ‘while you wait at the light, think of the millions who do not have light.’
Separate delegations of volunteers will leave for different villages for electrification, starting from December 6. “Through this movement we will get exposed to the harsh realities of our country. We are eagerly waiting for the next week when we will go to a village in Thane district to install solar lights in each household. The joy of helping someone is immense,” said volunteer Nilay Shah, 16, a student of DY Patil International School.
‘Chirag Light India Movement’ is an extension of ‘Project Chirag,’ an initiative of the students of HR College of Commerce and Economics. The project was launched in March 2010. Within eight months, the project has successfully completed the lighting of 1017 rural households across 33 villages in Maharashtra, impacting 5700 people in rural India. “When 40 students of a college can create such a big impact in such short time, mobilisation of youth across the country can surely yield better results, said Vivek Kotak, 23, student of HR College.
While Phase I of the project involved lighting of rural households, Phase II aims at carrying out activities for economic upliftment across Indian villages. Establishment of public kitchens, improvement of educational infrastructure and adult literacy campaigns are slotted for the Phase II of ‘Project Chirag.’
The youth of our country plays a very vital role at each stage of the project. They are involved in strategy formulation, planning, execution, mobilising resources and pitching for corporate sponsorships. The project is not just instrumental in contributing to the society but will also help young minds to develop leadership skills and humility.
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