SOLAR POWER lights little lives

Jayashree Nandi | TNN

Bangalore: Many rural school students in Kar-nataka who don’t have electricity in their homesdo homework with the help of a solar light. Theycarry a portable battery that they charge intheir school. Later, they light the lamp at home.

Soon, more such students will bask in theglory of energy independence. They’ll hardly

need to fret about unpredictable grid supply.This is the story of hope that brought SolarLight Private Ltd (Selco) founder Harish Handethe prestigious Ramon Magsaysay award.

Selco in Karnataka is a unique businessmodel — a social enterprise, a concept that isneither an NGO nor a corporation. It links poorhomes that run without electricity to banksthat can give them loans for the solar lighting

system. A two-light system, for instance, costsbetween Rs 10,000 and 12,000; a single-light oneis Rs 6,500. Customers pay off the loan in twoto five years with interest rate of 5% under theJawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.

DARK NIGHTS NO MOREFrom 1995 to date, Selco has provided solarlighting to 1,25,000 homes. Every year theycover 10,000-odd rural homes. “Solar lightingin houses is our main project. When we start-ed in Karnataka, this became the source of re-liable power for many villages,” said Prasan-ta Biswal, Mission Projects, Selco.

When customers can’t afford the lightingsystem, the company facilitates their rela-tionship with the bank and customizes re-payment of loans. Selco has tie-ups with 10banks in Karnataka. In fact, 85% to 86% of itscustomers bank on these loans. Only rich farm-ers have been able to afford a full cash-downpayment.

LIKE MID-DAY MEAL SCHEMESelco’s school project is modelled on the linesof the mid-day meal scheme that gives an in-centive to students to go to school. “Many donot have power even during exams. We want-ed to deal with this issue in rural areas. So westarted the solar lighting system in school andgave a small solar light to students. A studentcan charge the light and use it for studies afterdusk,” explained Prasanta. Every student paysa token operational cost of Re 1 every day dayor around Rs 20 per week, while the cost forpanels and lights is borne by Selco. With around60 students, 10 schools have been covered un-der this project so far. The company plans tocover 1,000 schools in the next three years.

These products are more popular in Dak-shin Kannada — Udupi, Kundapur, Puttur andSulia, in particular.

TOWARDS A BRIGHT FUTURE: Selco managing director Harish Hande at a solar-powered school inSirsi, Karnataka. The company plans to cover 1,000 schools in the next three years

SOLAR POWERlights little lives

Ten Schools Have BeenCovered So Far UnderSelco’s Solar Project

ALL SET: A technician installs a solar panel

HANDE’SVISIONSelco head HarishHande told TOIfrom Boston that

he’ll work towardsbringing down cost ofsustainable energy in thelong run. “It is still veryexpensive. But comparedto the cost that theenvironment is paying,it’s much less. I want touse the Magsaysayaward for students whowant to pursue goodsustainable energyprojects but aren’t ableto do it,” he said.

TIMES CITY 3THE TIMES OF INDIA, BANGALOREFRIDAY, JULY 29, 2011

Folklore varsity gets first VCBangalore: Ambalike Hiriya-nna, former director of Ku-vempu Institute of KannadaStudies, University of Mysore,has been made the first vice-chancellor of the new Kar-nataka State Folklore Univer-sity. Hiriyanna (59), who spe-cializes in structural analysisand theoretical folklore, wasearlier special officer of thefolklore university which will

come up at Shiggaon, Haveri.His will be a four-year term.

Touted as India’s only uni-versity dedicated to folklore,it will teach the culture ofKannada-speaking people andDravidian language, encour-age research in folklore, be-sides acting as a catalyst in de-velopment of marginalizedcommunities and tribes inKarnataka. TNN

Mugging masters, beware

Rajiv Kalkod | TNN

Bangalore: Alarmed by theincreasing number of muggingcases at night, particularly onthe outskirts, police have start-ed screening cab drivers andpassengers who cross such des-olate places. Drivers will bevideographed to prevent themfrom committing offences.

Police said in most of therecent robberies on the out-skirts and on ring roads, theoffenders happened to be cabdrivers and passengers travel-ling with them. The drivers, onthe pretext of offering a drop,take passengers to isolated ar-eas before looting them of theirvaluables and cash.

“We will videograph cabdrivers found under suspiciouscircumstances,” said jointcommissioner of police (crime)Alok Kumar. The city has 35check points as of now.

Night-beat officers will car-ry handicams and film cab

drivers as well as passengerswaiting in isolated areas andjunctions. “This to avoid mug-ging by drivers and those whopose as passengers,” Kumarexplained.

“Many are falling prey tothese offenders. We requestcommuters to take precau-tionary measures before tak-ing a lift from strangers. De-spite reports of repeated in-stances of mugging, peopleboard cabs and subsequentlyfall prey to miscreants. Ifcommuters come across sus-picious characters, theyshould call up the police con-trol room and give the cab’sregistration number” he said.

Travel agency owners shallbe held responsible for theirdrivers’ conduct. “It’s the cabowner’s duty to keep a watchon movements of their driv-ers,” the officer added.

FAKE NUMBER PLATES A senior police officer ex-pressed concern over cabswith fake number plates:“Most of the culprits involvedin mugging cases use fakenumber plates.”

toiblr.reporter@timesgroup.com

Cab Drivers To Be Videographed In Isolated Areas

A visible rise in the number ofmugging cases has put copson their toes. Police say inmost of the recent robberies,offenders happened to be cabdrivers and passengerstravelling with them

UNDER POLICE WATCH

Photo for representation only

VPC EGIB VPCCBI5 VPC CAI5

I

Wor k�s the wayyou want.

IWindows 7

VPC EL 15 VPC SB 25 VPC SA25

6I�ck

• Genu ne �Mndows e 7 Starter

32-bit

• 11.6 (29.5 ems) wid e scree n

• AMD Dua�Core Processor

E-350 (1.6 GHz)

• 2138 SORAM / / 320 GB HOD

• AMD Radeo&’ HO 6310

Graphics

• Genuine Windows0 7 Home

Basic

• 15.5 (39.37 ems] wide screen

• AMD Dual-Core Processor

E-350 (1.6 GH2)

• 208 SDRAM/ / 320GB HOD

• AMD Radeon HD 6310

Graphics

• OVO SuperMul t i Drive

• Genuine Windows 7 Home

Basic

• 15.5 (39.37 ems) wide screen

• 2nd Gen Intel Core”�i3-2310M Processor 2.1 GHz

• 2138 SORAM/ 320138 HOD

• Intel HDGrephics 3000

• DVD SupsrMu�i Ores

• Genuine Windows 7 Home

Premium

• 14 (35.56 crns) wide screen

• 22nnd d Gen lntel Core�

i5-241 OM Processor 2.3 13Hz

• 4GB SORAM/ 500GB HOD

• NVIDIA GeForce0 41DM CPU

(512 MB)

• Genuine Windows 7 Home

Premium

• 15.5 (39.37 cms) wide screen

• 2nd Gen IntaI Core�

i5-241 OM Processor 2.313Hz

• 4GB SDRAM/ 500GB HOD

• Radeon� HO663OM(1 GB)

• Genuine Windows’ 7 Home

Premium

• 14 (35.56 ems) wide screen

• 2nd Gen Intel’ Core�

i5-2410M Processor 2.313Hz

• 4GB SORAM / / 500GB HOD

• Redeon� HD663OM(1 GB)

• Genuine Windows’ 7 Home

Premium

• 13.3 (33.8 ens) wide screw,

• 2nd Gen Intel’ Core”�i3,-2310M Processor 2.1 13Hz

• 2GB SDRAM/ 500GB HOD

• Radeon� HD 647DM

(512 MB)

• Genuire Windows’ 7

Professional

• 13.3 (33.8 ems) wide screen

• 2nd Gen Intel’ Coro�

i7-2620M Processor 2.713Hz

• 6GB SDRAM / / 640GB HOD

• Radeor,” HO 663DM (100)

MRP Rs. 24 99O//�* MRP IRs. 27, 99O//�* MRP Rs. 29 , 99O//�* MRP IRs . 36, 990//..* MRP IRs. 42 ,99D//�* MRP Rs. 54 99O//�* MRP IRs. 55 , 99O//�* MRP Rs. 47,99O//�* MIRP Rs. 79,99O//�*

• Genuine Windows ’7 Hone

Basic

• 15.5 (39.37 çm�) wide screen

• 2nd Gen Intel’ Core�

i3-2310M Processor 2.10 0Hz

• 4GB SDRNVI / / 32Q3B HDD

• NMDLA’ GeFcrce’41� v1 GPU

(512 MB)

Registered Office: Sony India Pvt. Ltd.,A-31, MCIE, Mathura Road, New Delhi-110044. ForCorporate and Institutional Enquiries, please mail usat b2bindia@ap.sony.com. ForSales and Service, call 1800-103-7799 (toll-free) orE-Mail us atsonyindia.care�ap.sony.com.Website:www.sony.co.in/vaio. Tolocate nearestdealer: SMS <VAIO followed by<LocationlPincode> to53636 (Standard short codeSMS rateswill apply)orvisit: www.sony.co.in/dealerlocator. ‘MRP indusive of alltaxes. Quoted MRP isfor I unit of the prod�cl

5270.2011

VPCYB 15//25 VPC EHI5 VPC EHI6

Seek Fink Green Skier Seek Whke Seek Whta Sleek Pink SICO White Seek Oren9e Green Sleek Fink Red Wnite Olook Pink Blue Seek Copper �own

• Ciitmne�s.Hobs • Cooking Range. Gas Stoves. MO�ulsr Kit000ns • Solar Water Heaters. Chairs. Sates • RD Water PurifierS . InductIon Ceotteps • Seysers

GILMA XC WSI VES: BAI1GALORE: BANASIIANKARI- 3rd Stage, app. to Kamaky a Theab-e 41711400/26793333 BANASWA DI RING ROAD �Jear Tamaind Restaurant - 41630098 BASAVESHWARNAGAR- Next to Thrupti Nursing Horse - 23235631BANNERGHATIAROAD-Opp. to Arkero BPL bus stop: - 26486776/ 9980945447 BELLARY MAIN ROAD: Below Bata Showroom- 9900605487 BOMMANAHALU: Hosur main road, near bus stop- 25732255/ 9740655454 BEL ROAD - Nextto Big Bazaar-23517885 /9740078887 BTM Layout- NearWaterTank Bus Stop- 9008088001,9845465102 BVK IYENGAR RU- Nextto Abhinay Theatre - 9686258585/9845055228 COXTOWN- Next to Kundan, Wheelers Rd. -41253341 //9342433753 INDIRANAGAR:12th Main, NearSagarClinic-25280734 , INFANTRYROAD- NearMedinova-22 8633 15/22862754 JAYANAGAR-Opp. Pai Vijay ,4th Block-4 1230050 /9980797979JP NAGAR- 6thphase:26651343 KORAMANGALA:BoFtRoad 4th Block, Ph:25633982/8600002072 MARATHALU- Beside HOME TOWN -25234903 / / 9966035270 NAGARBHAVI: Nagarbhavi Circle , Next to Mithya Hotel - 23180255 / / 9611237343 RAJAJINAGAR: Near Navarang Theatre , Dr. Rajkumar Rd - 23125367 / / 9860511934NAGAVARA RING ROAD (Near Manyata Tech Park) - 32963990 / / 9916697788 Ri NAGAR- Opp. to 081 -23437397 / / 93419 54654 SARJAPUR ROAD- app. St. Peter school- 9740440010 / / 9740441010 WHITEFIELD- ITPL Main Road, Near GopalartEnterprIses - 9900091266 SHOP-IN-SHOP- Airport Road 9845674413 / / 65831290 ELECTRONIC CITY -28523865 / / 9341833966 Chanda pura: Anekal Road Ph: 9644288237 Kanakapura Main Road- 9686857643 / / 26324466 , flalarajeshwarl Na0ar-9845814811 / / 9845524109 Yljayanagar-9482602357 / / 32969434 Yelaflanka-9448058307 / / 9880926307 Kenqerl-98446221 63 / / 9341333843 BELGAUM:8050426064 and SHIMOGA: 9448201131 CIIIKMAGALUR: 9448346061 H0SI�ET-

9844426365 K.G.I�: 9482077567 / / 9480558227, MANGALORE: 0824 4251707 RAMNAGAR: 9880524776 / / 9535527222 TUMKUR - 9901761762 MYSORE 1 -4262517 //2420517 / / 93434 44445 MYSORE - 9740280401/ 9740280400 Uchupt:8600366599 Service No for Bangalore (ForChimne ys & Hobs- 23215758/23395743) ForTrade Enquiry-Mr. Malladev -9591810766 For Product Details, Contaci: Mr. Kumar- 9743455007

The Undisputed

ECAT)Champions

1���CAT CAT CAT2008 2009 2010

1000+ TIME. studentsIn the liMe - a year In a row

TIME. students deliver the best performance in CAT for thethIrd year running. No otliertlaining institute comes anywhere close.

�� - CAT 11/12 batches starting on 30 July.- Enrol today!

Call Toll-Free NoV: �� .

1800-209-6767 Dr Batra’sSMS: HAIR to 09757070707 I www.drbatras.comClinics: Indira Nagar I Jayanagar I Kammana 14a111 I Koramangala I Malleswaram

RI Nagar I Ulsoor I Vijaynagar I Whitefield I Also at Myso re and Coin (Panjim)

I i’ .

Also get �‘ 1000 011* on treatment on spot registration

Our Spec ial isa t ions: 90% Ut Dr Baira’s hair patients won ’t Acne (pimples) change to any other brand for treatment Allergies —indepeuidentStuidybyAC Nieluen

�“ Arthritis The advanced technology of video microscopy Breathing Disorders is a quick, non-invasive, non-painful test that Children’s Ailments diagnosesyour: Psoriasis T\rpeot hairloss White Patches Scalpcondition Women ’s Ailments �

- Hairdensity&earfylhinningCall nowto treatyourhair loss problem from the root!

(‘�lI TnlLlrcsco Mn - at