Page 22 - Mann Ki Baat, October 2022
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Modhera: India’s first Surya Gram Kunni Deori’s saga of Solar Empowerment
In a first-of-its-kind project the Prime Minister that he has Solar energy has become
Prime Minister Modi declared the made Modhera village even an alternate source of power
sun-temple town of Modhera as more famous in the country as for many but for one resident of
India’s first 24x7 solar-powered 'Surya Gram'. Even if people have Odisha, it has become her medium
village. With the development to spend Rs 50,000 or Rs 1,00,000 of employment and many others.
of Ground Mounted Solar power they should install solar panels Kunni Deori, from Karadapal
plant and more than 1,300 Rooftop because with these panels we village of Kendujhar district of
solar systems on residential can use electricity comfortably Odisha, is using solar energy to
& Government buildings, the and it also helps increase one’s create job for many tribal women
project demonstrates how India’s savings.” by training them to spin silk on a work with two-in-one charkha
renewable energy prowess Another resident, Vipinbhai solar-powered reeling machine. machines, which could only be
can empower people at the Patel also shared his experience, Our Doordarshan team got operated if three people worked
grassroots. “Our village has become quite in touch with her to know more together. If even one person was
Doordarshan talked to the famous after Prime Minister about her initiative. less then the machine would not
people of Modhera. Narendra Modi ji talked about Talking about her work, she run. At the same time, Kunal Sir
In his recent 'Mann ki Baat' our village. People and celebrities said, “Right now I have started CFC of 'Resham Sutra' gave a demo
Prime Minister Narendra Modi from across the country and (Common Facility Center) where of the Unnati Machine, which is a
talked to Varsha Bai, a resident of world come here. When Modi 50 girls work in one center and 80 solar silk machine, in our society.
Modhera, about the development ji and UN Secretary General ji girls in another. Here at Tusser Silk The machine instantly caught our
of the village through solar power. came, our village was decorated Park, we do a lot of activities from attention because through this
Varsha Bai says, “Earlier we used extravagantly and their arrival yarn extraction, weaving, reeling, we could work individually. Here
to be very careful about using brought glory to our Modhera designing and digital printing, in the tribal areas, there is not
electricity at home, but today village and the Sun Temple.” from which we make sarees, much electricity due to frequent
we use electricity comfortably Regarding his conversation with dresses, jackets and many more power cuts, but with the help of
because of the solar panels the Prime Minister in ‘Mann ki things.” solar power, we can use electricity
installed in our house. We now Baat’, he says, “When I got his call, Kunni Deori has also been round the clock. And being a small
use electricity with a free mind. I got very excited. I am very proud awarded the National Award machine, we could all work from
My house has all the facilities like to have spoken to Narendrabhai and in 2017, she also received the anywhere.”
washing machine, AC, geyser and Modi and I will remember this for award from President Droupadi 'Resham Sutra' innovates
we use all this without worrying the rest of my life.” Murmu in a program held with the renewable energy based rural
about the electricity bill.” Kusumi people. livelihood enabling machines.
Scan the QR code to know what
While thanking the Prime Sharing her experience with It helps in setting up high
more Varsha Bai has to say
Minister, Varsha Bai said, “I would the solar powered machines, productivity machines for rural
about Modhera's solar energy-
like to express my gratitude to led development. she says, “Earlier we used to silk yarn producers and textile
weavers.
Talking about the increasing
use of solar energy in India, Kunni
ji says, “Solar power panels are a
one-time expenditure because
the monthly electricity costs are
saved. Solar power is best for
remote areas and if it is used
in every house, there will be
electricity in all the houses at all
times.
Image for representational purpose
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