For the first time after 78 years of independence, this village of Chhattisgarh got the pleasure of watching TV
India got independence from the British in the year 1947, but even after more than seven decades, many villages of the country are waiting for progress and development. You will be surprised to know that there are many villages in India where even today basic facilities like electricity, water, roads, television and hospitals have not been reached. One such village is in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh where for the first time after 78 years of independence, the villagers watched national and international news, serials and films on TV. This historic step is a big initiative towards rural development.
Television installed in Puvarti village
The children, women and elders of Puvarti village expressed happiness by watching Doordarshan programs for hours. This change proved that the effect of development is now visible in Maoist-affected areas. With the initiative of the Chhattisgarh government and Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai, solar energy-powered equipment was distributed in the village. Every family was given a solar light and a solar fan, which eliminated the lack of electricity in the village. Also, two Doordarshan sets were installed in Purvarti, Tekalgudiyam and Silger villages. Now the villagers are enjoying a life full of light and comfort after getting freedom from darkness.
What do the villagers say?
Banjam Madgu, Bandipara Purvarti of Niyad Nellanaar village said that we never thought that TV would come to our village. For the first time, watching the news and serials of the country and the world, it feels as if we are also connected to the rest of the world. Now the nights will be filled with light with the help of solar lights and fans and there will be relief from the heat too. It is like a miracle for us. The children of the village not only got happiness by watching informative programs and cartoons on Doordarshan, but they also got a new way of learning. The youth said that with the help of solar lights, it will be easy to study at night and new information will be available from Doordarshan.
New direction for the development
This initiative is working to give a new direction to the future of rural children. The use of equipment based on solar energy is not only a solution to the problem of electricity, but it is also promoting environmental protection. This initiative in tribal-dominated areas is a perfect example of reducing pollution and promoting sustainable development. This step is proving helpful in connecting the villages to the mainstream.