One of the aftermaths of the Kerala floods, which ransacked the state in August, 2018, was the total blackout. While the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) began operations within a week to keep the state energized, there were still severely affected pockets that did not have access to electricity, leaving them with no light and disconnected with the world.
In the wake of the state’s electricity ordeal, a team of volunteers from The Art of Living’s Sri Sri Rural Development Program Trust (SSRDP), distributed 200 solar lamps and installed 35 solar off-grid systems, powering 175 places, including homes, government offices, community centers, and schools in two of the adversely affected areas of Malappuram and Chengannur.
While the solar lamps provided zero-cost lighting and helped people charge their phone batteries, the solar systems provided for basic electricity needs like running of fans and tubelights.
One of the beneficiaries was Krishna Ashram in Chengannur, a home for 35 underprivileged students. Appreciating the efforts of the team, its head said, “Because of this help, students were able to continue studying. The solar lights are especially helpful as they allow them to study without interruptions in between the regular power cuts.”
The initiative not only helped people who were experiencing a blackout, but also people who did not have access to electricity prior to the calamity.
Kiran Jaybhaye, Solar Project Manager, SSRDP, said “In Malappuram where we installed 15 solar off-grid systems (each system powers 5 homes), there was no electricity prior to the floods.”
Sponsored by The Art of Living, the total cost of the solar lamps and solar off-grid systems went up to Rs 40 lakh. However, cost was not the biggest challenge for the team, it was the hilly terrain, forest route, and extreme weather conditions that they had to face while carrying heavy solar batteries and other equipment.
“Each solar battery weighed a quintal. Four of us carried it on a stick while we walked uphill to Malappuram. Another challenge was the everyday rain. But luckily, villagers would come to help us carry the batteries,” added Kiran.
While the team worked all day to bring solar light to these areas, they never had the time to care for themselves. “Whether or not we had food was not our concern. But the results were fruitful when we saw people welcoming us with smiles and gratitude,” concluded Kiran.
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