DIVYA PRERNA FOUNDATION
(Divine Inspiration)
Press Release Project P-04
Inauguration of Solar Lighting System in TN Govt. Primary School, SIRUVATTAKKADU, KODAIKANAL Hills, DINDIGUL DISTRICT on 07 February 2013
SIRUVATTUKKADU is a Tribal village, consisting of 3 habitat clusters on Kodaikkanal Hills opposite to Pazhani, and about 22 Kms on the hill, with nearly 1.5 Kms without a proper road, requiring trekking on the mountain & surrounded by thick forest of teak, silk cotton, bamboo & jack fruit trees. Elephant herds frequent these areas, and you can see Solar Power actuated electric fences to ward off these animals. The villages are not electrified by EB, but by Solar Power Systems provided earlier in 2005 by Forest Department, which are completely disfunctional now due to poor maintenance. The village is submerged in darkness after sunset.
Trustees of Divya Prerna Foundation, a NGO based in Chennai, working on promoting sustainable living, through renewable energy, visited the site, prompted by Dr Rajkumar (a Doctor hailing from Australia but serving the tribal community in Kodaikanal Hills 5 months a year) in September 2012, alongwith Mr Nambirajan, SELCO Solar of BG., associates of DPF.
The Solar Lighting Project for the School, run effectively, by the untiring efforts of the school Head Master Mr Senthil Kumar, was engineered & planned by DPF, after the visit & orders were placed on SELCO SOLAR, BG. providing for 5 state-of-the art technology DC LED Lamps for the 4 class rooms, and 1 for the Head Master’s room. In addition 2 sun-sensitive Street Lights cater to the automatic lighting of the School Courtyard after sunset, for the children to assemble & study or play during nights. The well lit courtyard can also function as the Community Center for the villagers in the night.
In addition the Project provided for 10 Portable Solar Lanterns to be donated to the Students, for lighting up their houses in the nights to enable them to study. The Charging Panel in the School Solar System facilitates charging of these Lanterns during school hours – an indirect way of ensuring that the children attend school regularly! 3 more Portable Lanterns which can be charged on EB mains or Solar were donated to the School HM & Staff.
The Solar Equipments had to be manually carried up to the site, because of the terrain & installation completed in the First week of February 2013, and the Inauguration Function was held in the School on the 7th February 2013.
V.Partha Sarathy, Managing Trustee, Divya Prerna Foundation, Chennai, and Trustee of DPF S.G. Subramanian attended the function. Nambirajan, Sr Executive, TN Projects, and Nikhil Nair both from SELCO SOLAR BG represented the Suppliers of Equipments.
The function was presided over by Shri “KodaiIdi “ Kannan, a philanthropist of Oddan Chathram. After “Tamizh Thaai Vazhthu” sung by the students, Sahaya Raj school Teacher welcomed the gathering of all villagers & students.
Shri V. Partha Sarathy, DPF explained the Objectives of Divya Prerna Foundation & the Project. Shri S.G.Subramanian, DPF exhorted the community to make best use of the system. Dr Rajkumar explained the necessity of the villagers to take proper care of the system, and to cooperate with SELCO SOLAR in working through NABARD in getting Solar Lights for their homes also.
All the Speakers praised the sincere efforts being made by the Head Master of the School Shri Senthil Kumar in drawing out the children to school in this Tribal Area and imparting them knowledge. The Poratable Solar Lanterns were distributed to the chosen 10 students.
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Students with the Solar Lanterns presented to them |
Mr Nambi Rajan of SELCO explained the salient features of the system & NABARD assistance. The function concluded with the National Anthem sung by all.
The Solar System provided by DPF also has one year warranty maintenance by SELCO SOLAR and further periodic maintenance on very nominal rates.
The tribal hamlet wore a bright look for the function & later after sunset as well. Pl see the photos attached.
V.Partha Sarathy Dated 18 Feb 2013
(Founder & Managing Trustee)