Students of HR College have initiated a five-point transformation model for some of the most backward villages in the state. Called Project Chirag, the aim is to tackle rural problems focused around education, health and sanitation, environment and economic and social uplift.
“To implement any of these changes in a village, the most basic requirement is electricity. Hence in the first phase, we are focussing on lighting up ‘dark’ villages, which have never had electricity, through solar lanterns,” said Prachi Bali, project coordinator. Around 150 students are part of the core team in the project, an initiative by HR College’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE).
A pilot project is being introduced at Ujjaini village in Wada taluka (Thane), which has 111 houses and a population of 597. “Here the nearest electricity line is 35 km away and the electricity grid line cannot reach the village because the entire stretch is a forest,” said Bali.
The students have started a unique campaign, called “10 rupees for light”, to generate funds for lighting the villages, which are in the process of development under the project. As part of it, lights and fans in the corridors of HR College are being kept switched off for a week till February 18 so as to sensitise all students. The theme “missing for a mission” has also been put across all the walls.
“It costs Rs3,650 to light up each home in the village, which works out to Rs10 per day if the amount is paid over the course of a year. Our campaign is a platform where everyone can contribute, whether big or small. And in this case one can be part of the change they want to see by simply contributing Rs10,” said Bali.
The solar lanterns will be made by underprivileged communities, who will earn Rs30 per lantern, so the initiative will also help in increasing their incomes. The subsequent phases of the project will focus on providing alternate sources of employment/income by teaching them certain skills. “For education, we plan to tie-up with corporates. Plans will be firmed up as we progress,” added Bali.
The students’ plan to take the campaign to other colleges too and create awareness about Project Chirag.