Project Chirag, an initiative of Chirag Rural Development Foundation, is one of India’s largest youth-driven initiatives providing solar lighting to villages that have no access to grid electricity.
Founded in March 2010 at H.R. College, Mumbai, Project Chirag has one clear vision – Light for All. Our mission is to provide solar lighting to India’s rural poor by leveraging the energy of India’s youth. With support from philanthropists, trusts, universities and the business community we are able to translate our dream into a reality. A 360 degree model that not only brings light, but also impacts lives by addressing issues of education, livelihood, health, and environment.
To ensure long term sustainability of the initiative, Chirag Rural Development Foundation was set up in December 2011 as an independent NGO under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956. All donations made within India are eligible for tax exemptions under section 80G of the Income Tax Act of India.
Project Chirag has lit up lives in 9 states – Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, Meghalaya, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Project Chirag was an initiative which started off as a community development project by students at ‘H.R. College of Commerce & Economics, Mumbai’ in March 2010. Within its first year, the project lit up over 1500 rural homes across India. To make this initiative scalable and sustainable, a non-profit organization ‘Chirag Rural Development Foundation’ was registered in December 2011 and currently independently manages Project Chirag. The Project continues to remain a youth driven initiative with participation from students from various educational institutions.
Install India's youth with a passion for change
Eradicate the use of kerosene
Reduce carbon emissions
Increase productivity to promote sustainable livelihood & income generation.
Increase health & safety
Promote socio-economic development
Increase students home-life productivity
Villagers buy around 5-6 liters of kerosene per month for the purpose of lighting kerosene lamps. The kerosene is to be available to them at a subsidized rate of Rs. 10 per litre through Government ration but due to leakages in the system.
Read moreA child’s after school work is not seen as a priority when light is needed to feed the family. The lack of electricity and light and the high costs of kerosene enable most households to afford only one lamp.
Read MoreLack of light results in the loss of productive working hours as the villagers are forced to stop work and return home at dusk. Shopkeepers find it difficult to cater to customer requirements after sunset due to lack of adequate lighting in the shop.
Read MoreDue to inadequate light, villagers end up inadvertently consuming a number of small insects and flies while having their meals which result in them suffering from a number of illnesses. There have also been cases of villagers being bitten by snakes due to lack of light as they walk outdoors for various purposes.
Read MoreKerosene lanterns emit high levels of CO2 gases. The use of one kerosene lamp emits 5 tonnes of CO2 a year. This has a dire effect on the environment.
Read MoreWomen in these villages are required to leave their home post sunset for a host of reasons including sanitation, water collection, caring for their cattle, among many other chores.
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