A village in the country where an AC cooler is running in every house, but the electricity bill is ‘zero’! In today’s modern era, everyone from the city to the village is worried about power cuts and sky-high electricity bills. When the summer season comes, people have to think a hundred times before running the AC and cooler. But imagine such a village where all kinds of electronic equipment like AC, cooler, TV, and fridge like this are running in every house for 24 hours, but at the end of the month the electricity bill is absolutely zero, i.e., zero! It sounds surprising, doesn’t it? But it is true. A small village, ‘Manyachiwadi,’ in the Satara district of Maharashtra, has become an example for the whole country today. This is the first 100 percent solar-powered village in Maharashtra. Solar energy has changed the fate of the village.
This small village under Patan tehsil has a population of only 420, and there are a total of 102 houses here. And the biggest thing is that every house is adorned with a roof-top solar panel. Not only the houses of the people, but also the village school, Gram Panchayat office, Anganwadi, street lights, water supply, and CCTV cameras installed for security are running on this solar power. Here the question comes to mind that how did this big change come about? Behind this is a great contribution of the women power of the village. One day, overwhelmed by the power cut, the women of the village took the idea to replace it. Today, with the help of the Gram Panchayat and the Central Government’s ‘PM Surya Ghar Yojana’, this village has become self-sufficient. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have also highly appreciated this success of the village.
The special thing is that Manyachiwadi is known for development not only in the field of electricity but in all fields. Since the formation of the Gram Panchayat in 2001, this village has received more than 76 awards so far. This smart village has some facilities that are not found even in big cities. You will be surprised to know that there is a beauty parlor for animals. There are special arrangements for the cleanliness and care of cattle. Wash basins have been installed at special places to keep the streets clean and to throw gutkha spit. Sanitary pad vending machines have been arranged in schools and public places for the health and awareness of girls. Along with this, the school has a beautiful park, scientific waste management, and a 24-hour clean drinking water facility. In fact, Manyachiwadi village has proven that if there is a will, then even an ordinary village can become an inspiration for the whole world. Today, this village has become the number one village in the country in promoting green energy by adopting solar energy. The women of this village have changed the fate of Manyachiwadi village.
