Bhubaneswar: Shah Rukh Khan had played Mohan Bhargava of Swades in real life and lighted up seven remote coastal villages in Odisha by funding a solar electricity project back in 2008-09.
The rural electrification project in Ahriajpur, Banhipal, Okilapala, Palachua, Rangani, Denlasahi and Gupti villages was implemented by The Energy and Research Institute (TERI) and the effort dramatically changed the lives of the people, who mostly depend on fishing and agriculture for their livelihood.
These villages did not have electricity even after 61 years of Independence and kerosene lanterns were the only source of light after dusk.
Life started after sunset for these villagers after they were provided with solar lanterns. A recharging station was installed in each village and solar panels were set on rooftops to allow villagers to charge their lanterns every morning.
“Now we have no problems. Though we have to pay Rs 3 for a night, we are getting many benefits. Our children can study now, women can work properly. Earlier, there used to be many problems while using kerosene lamps, but now we avail many benefits. We have got lights from Shah Rukh Khan. We had no idea about him, but now we have come to know about him,” said Kalindi Nayak, a villager, was quoted as saying by ANI then.
It’s King Khan’s birthday today and he will always be hailed as a real hero in these villages.
