Solar powered Lok Seva Kendra inaugurated, Shillong

A Reporter

SHILLONG: Rev LR Thangkhiew, the Pastor of Patharkamah was the first customer at the newly inaugurated solar powered Lok Seva Kendra (digital service centre) in Patharkamah village of Jirang Block, Meghalaya.

Patharkamah faces a lot of power failures specifically during the monsoon season, often leaving the villages in darkness for days.

During this time, the households need to travel for more than 10-15 kms to get a single print out of INR 5, sometimes even sacrificing a day’s work.

MOSONiE Socio Economic Foundation, Envo Eastern Business Solutions and SELCO Foundation in partnership with TATA Trusts have collaborated to bring in access to improved livelihoods and services for the local community by the means of solar energy, with digital services like printing and photocopying being one of them.

Local entrepreneurs like Pherlin Ripnar now have alternative income sources and the local now has access to digital services without having to travel to far off distances. Solar energy, ensures uninterrupted power supply unhindered revenue stream. Pherlin on his first day of work was able to earn INR 250 within 2 hrs of operation.

The Lok Seva Kendra was inaugurated in the presence of Gabriel Diengdoh- General Secretary of Synjuk Seng Samla Shnong, Brison Pohshna- CRC of Umsong Education Department, Rev. L. R. Thangkhiew- The Pastor of Ptharkamah, V. P. Nongrum- Deputy Manager of SBI Patharkamah Branch, Ms. Stephanie from Good Energies Foundation.

In his inaugural speech, the Pastor of Patharkamah, encouraged the present crowd to opt for the clean energy by explaining the benefits of solar powered products in areas like Patharkamah where grid connection is either not available or even if it is available then the power supply is very erratic especially during monsoon the power supply sometimes does not get fixed for more than a month.

The Pastor also requested SELCO Foundation and MOSONiE to keep a demo for every solarized product in their village so that the people can see the benefits in front of them and choose according to their need.

The inauguration was followed by a community meeting which discussed the role of solar energy in community development.