SHILLONG, Dec 30: The North East Slow Food & Agrobiodiversity Society (NESFAS) and the Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE) recently provided solar electrification to two villages, viz. Mynriah (Mawkynrew Block) and Nongpriang (Shella Bholaganj Block), and two Public Health Centres (PHCs) at villages of Swer (Laitkroh Block) and Laitryngew (Shella Bholaganj Block).
According to a statement, the solar electrification project was implemented under the ‘Climate-Resilient Village Programme’ funded by TATA Communication’s CSR.
“The project seeks to provide clean energy access through solar power and clean cookstoves to help improve the living standards of the rural populace living in the remote frontiers of Northeast India in states such as Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. Through this provision of solar energy access to rural communities, the programme aims to implement energy solutions in a sustainable, scalable and environmentally beneficial manner that would lead to the community’s overall development while simultaneously empowering the local village population,” the statement said.
It may be mentioned that while the residents of Nongpriang village had been living without electricity since 2018, the locals of Mynriah had been living without electricity all their lives.
During the implementation of the solar electrification project in the villages, the community members also partook in the work by carrying heavy solar equipment and materials to their villages.
With the completion of the project, 76 households in Nongpriang village and 23 households in Mynriah village were able to get access to electricity.
“I thank NESFAS for paving the way and for always doing its great work for the community. As a headman representing the community, I feel we are really blessed, and for all those years we have been living in darkness. I would extend my gratitude to NESFAS and the team for always looking up to us and our needs,” headman of Mynriah village Liwell Mynsong said.
Meanwhile, Fredy Suting, a Nongpriang-based schoolteacher, expressed his happiness at the electrification of the village. He said, “I feel grateful for the coming of solar energy because we have lived without electricity since 2018. It has been hugely beneficial for my people as a whole.”
Apart from the electrification of the households, as many as 15 street lights were installed in Nongpriang village while another four were also installed at Mynriah village.
Meanwhile, the PHCs at Swer and Laitryngew villages were provided with a vaccine carrier, lab refrigerator, radiant heat baby warmer, fetal doppler, and other solar-powered equipment.
Adviser for Innovations, NESFAS, Khraw Wahlang, expressed his gratitude to GHE for the display of professionalism while carrying out the activity.
“The work execution is meticulously planned. It was truly commendable from the time the truck loaded with materials left Delhi until we completed the work in the village. Working with GHE has been a wonderful experience for NESFAS,” Khraw said.
On the other hand, Operations Manager, GHE, Sumit Dhiman, informed that the GHE, together with NESFAS, is working for the upgrade of PHCs with solar energy along with other initiatives such as electrification of villages and implementation of cookstoves projects in different regions of Meghalaya.
Speaking of the electrification of houses at Nongpriang village, he expressed his relief in being able to provide solar energy to the people of the village and revelled in the experience he had during the project implementation.
“We (GHE) are very happy with the people’s gesture in the village and the NESFAS team as well,” he added.
