KALABURAGI: It was a dream-come- true moment for residents of Neelakantaraya gadda, an islet near Narayanapura dam built across the river Krishna in Surpur taluk, when a solar light was switched on for the first time.
The Bengaluru based SELCO (Solar Electric Company) company headed by Magsaysay award winner Harish Hande took the initiative to install the equipment on the islet at a cost of Rs 6.30 lakhs. London-based Armstrong Energy Global has funded the project.
Mr Hande, who played a pivotal role in convincing Armstrong Energy Global in funding the project, came down to visit the islet on the occasion. A local resident Nanagouda Patil has pitched in with a contribution of Rs one lakh for maintenance.
Around fifty families live on the islet which would remain cut off from the mainland during the rainy season. If people take ill, they are ferried in coracles to the nearest town. Recently, the district administration has provided two boats for these people, who have been demanding a hanging brigde to the mainland as well as electricity connection for decades.
“This is a memorable day in our lives, because we are seeing lights for the first time in our lives on the islet. I hope these solar lights will help reduce our misery as the islet is infested with snakes, rats and other animals,” said Narasappa Doddamani, a resident.
