Udupi: The Magsaysay award winner Dr Harish Hande said India is a paradox between rich and poor countries, our solar systems should be looked up as a solution for the deficiency of electric power.
He was addressing the public on the occasion of ‘Soorya Mitra’ award ceremony organized by SELCO Solar Lights Pvt. Ltd, Bengaluru at Udupi Townhall on Saturday 30.
‘Knowledge is the only solution to the problems we have like poverty. Thought in India should lead to innovative India. Innovation leads to solutions and Power solution will lead India to a super power country.
He added that the African countries will not have to depend on USA for their power needs but surely India. Electricity could only provide short-term solution to keep it long term, we need to have less consumptive society.
The concept of development should not be at the cost of the sacrifice of environment. He stressed that ‘we need to create the society, wherein we need to balance the resources. No need to follow existing path, create a new way, create a model, be an example for the creation which protects environment and fulfil the needs.
He further said that Lack of energy means lack of income, Lack of income leads to poverty which leads to social imbalance and creates violence. Educated society should be created with self-sufficiency. So to have a healthy society instead of concept, quality is important.
Veteran journalist Shekhar Gupta, lamented that electricity is very political subject in India. A little bit of power is the fundamental right. We have abundant solar power, utilizing it in the right way is important. More over targeting rural development is appreciable.
This year the Soorya Mitra award was presented to Fr. Maria Julian, Director Chitra Don Bosco, Chitradurga and Mr.Arjun Menda, Founder and Chairman RMZ Corporation and Trustee Menda Foundation Bangalore for their contribution in the field of providing Solar Lighting to poor students from rural areas who were deprived of electricity grid and also promoting Solar powered Digital Education System in Govt. Higher Primary and High Schools which were lacking adequate resources.
