Women self-help groups in UP are creating solar lamps for kids

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Government has rolled out a project to promote the idea of self-sustenance among women. Under the Prerna Ojas Programme of the State Rural Livelihoods Mission (Rural Development Department), the state has given an opportunity to self-help women groups to craft solar lamps for children across the districts.

This avenue will lead to economic and social empowerment in the rural female folk through 'Smart Solar Shops' and also spread light, at a reasonably low cost for the benefit of children in remote areas.

With the help of the government and the CSR Fund, women of self-help groups are creating these solar lamps, which are being made available to the school children by the government for Rs 100 per piece against their market rate of a whopping Rs 500 per piece, officials here on Tuesday said.

Earlier, the Yogi Adityanath government had distributed over 28 lakh solar lamps made by 4,000 women to school children in 75 blocks spread over 30 districts of UP.

This initiative is helping children in a great way in pursuing education, as well as, it is a matter of pride for Uttar Pradesh that women have found a way to become self-reliant by making solar lamps. The women have been earning a fair amount of money ranging from Rs 8,000- Rs10,000 monthly.

Besides lamps, women are also venturing in selling and repairing various solar run equipment and products, including lanterns, flashlights, lamps, solar fans, panels, solar power banks, and LED bulbs at the solar shop. These shops will also work as training centres for other women and reach out to more women to teach them how to manufacture, sell and repair solar products.

The solar lamps, as the name suggests will be charged by the sun and thus the source of light will be a one-time investment. The outcome will be doubled as this means will also help women find a way to become independent.

The Joint Mission Director of the UP State Rural Livelihoods Mission highlighted that under the 'Prerna Ojas Programme' even amid the ongoing pandemic the women could successfully become self-reliant by setting up over 700 'Smart Solar Shops' in 75 blocks across 30 districts of the state.

The pro-women and pro-rural initiatives of the Yogi Government have undoubtedly given a 360 degree umbrella to half the population of the state as now the hard work and dedication of rural women has paid off and the females of the state are coming to the front and leading by examples in various spheres of development.

Around 978 self-help groups have been formed in the district to which nearly 10,758 rural women are linked. The solar lamps made by these women are far cheaper than those available in the market and as the delivery target of solar lamps is achieved, the women will have the golden chance to become entrepreneurs in future as they will be financed to open Prerna Solar Smart Shop in various towns and markets of the blocks. (UNI)