IMPHAL, February 9: Atom Khuman, a small village under the Lamsang sub-division of Imphal has every reason to rejoice for it is about to become the first ‘solar powered village’ not only in Manipur but evidently in the entire North Eastern region.
This village has been chosen as the model village by the Mangaal Rural, a private group who had recently launch an initiative to create “create 100 solar villages in Manipur 2016-17’ in ‘easy instalment’ basis at the rate of Rs 18 per day.
Under the model village package it have been provided with free solar home lighting systems not only for their homes but for their village community convergence hall, club, street lamps, Temple and an LED TV and solar pack separately to run the TV for the community. The entire equipment is worth over Rs. 5 Lakh.
Situated about 14 km away from Imphal, Atom Khuman that has 30 families with total voter strength of 90 people, is relatively in every aspect one of the most downtrodden villages although falls under Imphal District West.
“Our village have stopped expecting anything from anyone until these guys (Mangaal Rural) showed up out of the blue and said your village will be provided with free solar power,” exclaimed Tekcham Bijoy.
“Due to the small population of our village the authority concerned including the representative have been neglecting us”, maintained Bijoy.
Bijoy revealed that the currently transformer installed in the village was managed by the contribution made from the villagers.
Another village, under the condition of anonymity, said that during the recent quake power supply to the village was completely cut off for about two months yet no one came to our rescue leave aside other basic amenities which the Government should be providing.
It has been informed that the power supply, though irregular, resumed only about ten days back.
Maximum numbers of the people living in the Atom Khuman are daily wages earner.
The fact that Atom Khuman is very backward in every aspect despite being in Imphal West is the reason why the Mangaal Rural, chose it as their model solar power village, said Surjit Ningthoujam, founder of the group.
This model village will serve as the headliner for their aim to “Create 100 solar villages in Manipur by 2016-17”, continued Surjit.
The solar lighting equipment was distributed at the village playground during a simple function organise by the group.
The ceremony was attended by H Achouba Sharma Editor Sanaleibak, Bijoy Tekcham village elder, and H Netaji-joint editor Kanglapao, as chief guest, president and guest of honour.
Moreover, women, children and elders not only from Atom Khuman but from nearby villages also came to attend the programme on hearing that free solar lighting equipment will be provided.