Port Blair, Nov 26: Do you get irritated when the power goes off for an hour or so? Imagine living in darkness all your life that too in a backward area which may bring dangers from snakes and other nocturnal creatures to their house. This year’s Rotary’s International theme is “Light up Rotary”. This project aptly fits in.
Rotary Club of Port Blair distributed solar Lanterns on 23rd November, 2014 to eighteen families of Bornial (Bangoan) village which is situated in Middle Andaman. Bornial (Bangoan) village is 5 kms drive from Bankuntala by road and 25 minutes by a dinghy and then about 3 kms by walk to reach the destination. The settlement of Bornial (Bangoan) village dates back to the year 1952. On 22/11/14 Dr.Dinesh, President, Rotary Club, Rtn. Rajesh Anand and Smti. Shrimati Bepari along with one panchayat member traveled to the Bornial (Bangaon) village braving all odds and gave one Solar Lantern to the most respected person Shri. Nishikanto Mondal of that village.
Then the villagers were asked to come to Bakuntala panchayat hall to collect the Solar Lanterns as it was difficult to carry the entire consignment in a small dinghy which is the only mode of transportation.
Solar Lanterns was distributed in the presence of Mrs. Shrimati Bepari, Pradhan of Bankutala, Shri.Anil Bepari Ex-Pradhan & Smti. Stephenie, Teacher-in-Charge, GSS Webi at Panchayat Hall, Bakuntala on 23/11/14. The following family heads. Shri. Albertina Billung(5), Shri Probin Mondal(4) Smti. Sudhir Mondal(4), Shri Sukhlal Bachar(3), Shri Nishi Kanta Mondal(5), Shri Nirmal Kumar Mondal(5), Shri. Bhukal Tirkey(4), Shri Santi Ram Bachar(2),Shri. Uttam (4),Shri. Lorentus Kerkatta(3),Smti.Florian(8),Smti. Renuka Bairagi(5), Smti.Binodini Sardar(4), Shri.Nimai Mondal(5), Shri.Cyral Induwar(4), Shri.Bipul Bachar (4), Shri. Ashutosh Mondal(3),Shri.Prallad Bachar(2) thus seventy five persons in the entire village had benefited. Smti. K. Binu Prasad, Assistant Employment Officer (AEO) was the Chief Guest on the occasion she said solar is the cheapest option to generate electricity. “The Rotary Club gave them eyes for the night time; it is like freedom from darkness”.
Mrs. Shrimati Bepari, had immensely thanked Rotary Club of Port Blair and said this is a wonderful initiative and said all the beneficiaries were beaming with joy. Dr.Dinesh, President, Rotary Club of Port Blair and Rtn. Rajesh Anand, of the club demonstrated to the villagers as how to connect to the panel for charging. Vote of Thanks was proposed by Mrs. Shrimati Bepari. This Solar Lantern has 2 watt LED power equivalent to 5 watt CFL and it will have a back up of 10 to 12 hrs in fully charged condition with 3 watt solar module, easy to carry, and has a high/ low control switch too. Dr.Dinesh said street lights; office lighting if done through solar energy will bring down the expenditure considerably.
