Note From President Shernaz Vakil
A MOTHER’S DAY WELL SPENT!
Sunday before last, on Mother’s Day, an intrepid group of regulars took a trip beyond the RCB model village of Pingemen to the two new villages we were about to inaugurate that day.
We were to visit the Integrated Village Development Programme at the twin hamlets of Waghatpada and Wakadepada, impacting over 350 lives.
The villages faced acute challenges of lack of water for irrigation, lack of clean water for drinking, lack of consistent and affordable electricity, poor electrification of schools and Anganwadi, lack of sanitation facilities for part of the community, and poor street electrification.
It was early May and by 10 am it was a scorcher!
Walking into the fields to see our solar panels and pipelines in the noon-day sun took the breath out of us. However, being welcomed by the womenfolk in traditional Indian style, and laughing with the children at their newly renovated school reminded us why we were there and how we were transforming the lives of these farmers and their families.
We laughed, joked, and wished all the women sitting in obedient lines a very happy Aai-cha Din!
As we chatted with the farmers at the solar site, they were keen to show us their fields and what they would be able to grow with the additional water.
We supported their needs by installing a 7.5HP solar submersible pump powered by 7.5KW of solar power, drawing water across an 1800m pipeline for drinking, domestic, and irrigation.
This would enable irrigation of over 20 acres of farmlands in the first fold, reviving the agricultural economy.
We had provided each home with a UV filter for clean drinking water and a tripod solar light with mobile charging and a portable solar lamp.
To further their need for accessible water, the villagers performed shramdaan, pulling water to their homes and installing a tap at their doorstep.
We also provided power to the school and Anganwadi by providing one 350W off-grid solar system each, powering up the lights and fans as well as the Smart TVs provide for digitally aided learning and engaged classrooms.
In addition, a community sanitation block was built for the homes that have no access to toilets, complete with a handwash station, allowing the village to move towards an Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and better hygiene.
And, as the afternoon drew to a close, and the ladies of the village dressed up in identical yellow saris and danced for us, our hearts sang with them in joy.
These village trips to Nasik and Palghar have now become fairly routine this year, as we complete close to 20 villages in Maharashtra, before the end of June.
We have yet to inaugurate 11 villages in the Savade area which we plan to do on June 11th, 2022. Come, join us, and see how we improve and impact the lives of our farmers.
Talk to them and understand how our initiatives have supported their lives, and then get inspired to do more!
— President Shernaz Vakil
