Coca-Cola India Foundation illuminates Rajasthan villages with solar electricity
- This initiative is aligned with Prime Minister's objective of ensuring 24X7 power supply in every villageby 2019
- Aims to install Solar lights in 2500 houses in 5 villages of Rajasthan by 2017
Jaipur 18th March, 2016:Contributing to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s idea of providing electricity to all households by 2019, Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundationalong with its execution partner Advit Foundation inaugurates its Solar Electrification Project in Phagi block, Rajasthan. With an aim to provide solar electricity in 2,500 houses, benefiting more than 13,000 individualsacross five villages of Jaipur districts, the first hamlet of 50 households in the Phagiblock was provided with solar electricity today.
This initiative of The Coca-Cola India Foundation and Advit Foundation will enable an ecosystem which will not only ensure the conservation of environment but will help villagers in achieving livelihood enhancement opportunities.
Several households in these villages are dependent on kerosene for lighting. The smoke emission of kerosene lamps and inadequate light contributes to the economic deprivation, environmental hazard and health risks and adverse impact on children education. The use of solar light will ensure the improved indoor air quality and healthy living of the villagers.
he availability of solar light will now
increase the number of productive hours for these women further enhancing the opportunities for livelihood and income.
Under the project the Foundation has also launched a capacity building training program to train women at the local level for installation, operation, maintenance and repair of the solar lights, thus creating employment generation opportunities.
Further elaborating on the initiative Mr. Yogesh Chandra, CEO, Anandana (The Coca-Cola India Foundation), said,“There are many parts of India which do not have access to electricityor other sources of energy and where life comes to a standstill with sun set. We believe that renewable energy is one way to bridge this gap. We are pleased that through our solar electrification project we are able to provide safer and clean source of energy to people in the remotest of villages and make a substantial difference in their lives. Our initiative will empower these people to generate their own electricity by utilising sun’s energy through solar power roof top installation and solar lanterns."
“The solar electrification programme will benefit 13,000 community members of Phagi. Children will be able to study after dark, Communities will be able to work more and therefore earn more, there will be reduced indoor air smoke due to kerosene lamps, thereby improving health and overall, there will be reduction in GHG emissions - More than 350 tons of co2 reduction will be seen in this area from 2500 houses in a year.” Added Charu Jain Founder Member, Advit Foundation
In order to make this initiative sustainable, The Coca-Cola India Foundation organised interactive sessions within village communities to create awareness around the solar home lighting system and its benefits. A 100 watt solar system is being set up to impart knowledge on the technology aspect of the lighting system. Women from the community are giventraining on installation, repair and maintenance of solar home lighting system. A total of about 200 community members participated in the sessions organized in the 5 villages- Pachala, Awandiya, Sultania, Sawakabaans and Jodinda, of Jaipur district.
About The Coca-Cola Company and citizenship
The Coca-Cola Company has always placed high value on good citizenship. At the heart of business is a mission statement called the Coca-Cola Promise — “The Coca-Cola Company exists to benefit and refresh everyone that it touches.” This basic proposition means that the company’s business should refresh the markets, protect, preserve and enhance the environment and strengthen the community. Coca-Cola India provides extensive support for community programs across the country, with a focus on education, health and water conservation. For further information on Company’s India operations and its products, please visit www.coca-colaindia.com
For further information please contact:
Ritu
PR 24x7 Network Ltd.
9827092823