Madhavaram village shows the solar way

Alathur (Tiruvallur district): While great days are ahead for the harnessers of solar power — thanks to the World Bank committing a billion dollars for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's solar dream — an impressive demonstration of the power of this alternative, sustainable and green energy can be seen at a little and tidy village called Alathur, barely 36 km west of Chennai.

Of the 670-odd families here, about 30 have fitted 80 watt solar panels that take care of all the basic needs of the residents, even when there is power cut during the exam time. More families are turning to solar power in this village, about 16 km from Alandur in Tiruvellore district.

“We fitted our two solar panels, each of 40 watts, on the terrace in 2013. We had spent only Rs 16,000 as the 50 per cent subsidy from the Centre took care the rest of the bill. Even the money we invested was sourced from the IOB branch at nearby Tiruninravur through a loan with EMI as low as Rs 600 per month. We cleared it last year. Our kids have never suffered a power cut during the exams even during peak power cuts”, said accountant R. Parthasarathi of Perumal Koil Street. His wife Chandralekha nodded excitedly, while their three kids stood watching.

Alathur, which falls under the Madhavaram Assembly constituency,  is unique in some other nice ways, such as its free primary school, homes for boys
and girls and an almost-free hospital-all run by a voluntary agency called ‘Uthavum Nanbargal Trust’ manned by the local youth.

“We have been undertaking several such social projects as part of our ‘Alathur Mission Document, 2000’, which was inspired by our late beloved President Abdul Kalam”, said T. R. Sarathi, 46, of the Trust. 

Holding a Masters in Gandhian Thought from the Madurai Kamaraj University, he has dedicated his life, like several other volunteers, to serving Alathur and the 20-odd villages surrounding the place. “We have also set up a computer centre, a tailoring institute and a beautician school”, said Sarathi with visible pride.

On solar power, Sarathi is not happy about the state government not keeping the promise to install meters to buy the units generated by the Alathur households.

“We knocked on every door, including the Tiruvellore Collector. Nothing has happened so far”, he told Deccan Chronicle.