This is a reality that should shake us out of our complacency levels. Do you know that almost 400 million Indians still live without electricity in shanty towns that dot the extensive map of our country? Even as we crib about unending power cuts, many underprivileged Indians continue to toil over kerosene lamps or stoves in their little settlements struggling to survive on a daily basis. Not just that, they put their lives in danger as they inhale dense smoke that emanates from the kerosene used for cooking or lighting. And how did we arrive at this conclusion? A group of dynamic Australian women gathered this crucial information from a research-based study. “This has included a London School of Economics Masters thesis by one of our co-founders Katerina Kimmorley on the willingness of slum dwellers to pay for kerosene alternatives like a solar light.
We also collect data through our student intern programmes where students can come and work with us in the slums,” says the Bengaluru-based co-founder of Pollinate Energy, Monique Alfris, who has made Bengaluru her home for the past three years. She finds India a very welcoming place. “This country chose us. The slum dwellers asked us to work with them. Yes, language and communication is a challenge. But we work with people who speak Kannada and English and help us with these challenges. Conceptualistion of the project took around a year or so. It has been very fulfilling to work with the communities and see the change we have been able to make in people’s lives” she adds.
The research unearthed some startling facts. The after-affects of inhaling smoke are akin to consuming two packets of cigarettes per day. And it doesn’t end with this. “Respiratory illnesses are the second largest killer of women and children in India. Black carbon from Kerosene is also a potent greenhouse gas, much more so than carbon dioxide. Reducing kerosene use will therefore benefit both the climate and health of the slum dwellers,” Monique points out.
So these ladies came up with a wonderful solution of offering portable solar powered lights. “They reduce kerosene smoke, even as they hope to increase financial savings, and enable children to study at night while also providing an additional option of earning income for the family,” adds Monique
They aim is to connect with more than one million people in 53 cities across India. While Bengaluru has been a good beginning, next on their agenda is Hyderabad and Kolkata, where they hope to light up many more lives. “Our biggest challenge at the moment is learning how to make this work — transferring what has been successful in Bengaluru to these other cities and also learning what we need to change,” she says.
Solar-powered lights may well be the way forward but can the illiterate slum dweller understand their significance? Says Monique, “Often, it is enough to show them the light — they can see how much brighter it is. They also usually immediately understand that they will be able to save money on kerosene. These slum dwellers also like the fact that there is a mobile phone charger — they feel like this gives them freedom to stay in touch with their family and friends.”
The Australian ladies aim to make their pet project financially sustainable and do not aspire to earn any profits for themselves. “If we do happen to earn profits, these funds will be used to assist other slum dwellers,” clarifies Monique.
