As the sun was about to set over the horizon in Talwada on the evening of Saturday, February 20, 2010, thousands of little “suns” were switched on.
These little “suns”, in the form of crystal LEDs, emitted light that had been stolen from the sun throughout the day and stored in photo-voltaic cells.
Lo and behold! The sun went down but it was almost like daylight at a few places in the sleepy little village.
Over one hundred tube lights and ten street lights – all of them powered by solar energy – formed part of the solar lighting project that was formally inaugurated that evening.
Narayan and others for their help and of making repeated trips to Talwada He also named some of the people Green Vision Chairman Jagdish assistance in implementing it. to oversee its execution. who had made handsome contribu-
Malkani, who set the ball rolling, ex-President Nandan Damani, who PP Dr. Rahim Muljiani, the moving tions to help establish it.
plained the genesis of the project in spoke next, thanked Jagdish and his force behind the Talwada eye centre, And then it was time to inaugurate
brief and thanked Shailesh Haribhakti, team for the quick implementation of recalled the time when the hospital the new project. President Nandan
Ram Gandhi, the IMC, Ramesh the project and for taking the trouble was visualised and finally established. Damani requested PP Dr. Rahim Muljiani to join him in unveiling the commemorative plaque. In turn, Dr. Rahim invited the other Past (and future) Presidents present on the occasion to join him. Thus, Nandan, Dr. Rahim, IPPAshish Vaid, PP Dr. Rumi Jehangir, PP Kalpana Munshi, Vice-President Paul George and Nowroze Vazifdar (who will succeed him as President) stood together for a photo opportunity at the end of a simple inauguration ceremony. Joining them were District Assistant Governor Anil Chopra and the doyen among donors, Akhtarali Tobaccowala (who had made a handsome donation to have the eye centre named in memory of his father, Hasanali Tobaccowala).
As soon as the solar project was declared open, a box of sweets was unwrapped and the Executive Secretary, Mr. Eruch Irani, distributed sweets to all those present.
The visiting group from Bombay consisted of Chairman Jagdish Malkani, Ashok Dalal, Parvesh Mehra, Chetan Shukla, Shyyamniwas Somani, Dilnavaz Variava and Rotaryann Amita Malkani, apart from those named above.
However, Dr. Rahim, Dr. Rumi and Dr. S.A. Dave from the Rotary Club of Bombay South had reached the HTEC at Talwada earlier in order to conduct their planned surgeries.
Mr. Kumaar Thakkar, MD of Belifal Innovations, which installed the solar power project, was also present along with his assistant, Mr. Maunish Vyas.
After the formal inauguration of the solar power project at the HTEC, the group left for the Ajit Deshpande Medical Centre, located a few hundred metres away as the crow flies.
Dr. Yadav, the resident doctor at the ADMC, welcomed the team and showed it around. Jagdish pointed out the solar tube lights and explained how the centre would save money in the long run and also escape the repeated power outages in the area.
As it was time to unveil the formal plaque at the ADMC, once again President Nandan invited his fellow members to join him in the inauguration. Mr. Irani distributed some more sweets – and then the solar street light was switched on.
Although it was twilight time, the solar street lamp emitted sufficient light to demonstrate its luminosity.
Leaving the ADMC, the group walked across to visit the site of the organic farming project being overseen by Dilnavaz Variava. She explained some of the salient details of the project and was confident that it would benefit the local community.
A board said it was the site for the “Rotary Club of Bombay Vocational Training in Organic Farming”. Located close to the Adivasi Ashramshala (hostel) for boys and girls, it would benefit from their tender, loving care.
At the meeting of Tuesday, February 23, President Nandan thanked PP Dr. Rahim for the excellent arrangements made for the members who visited Talwada.
He revealed that Dr. Rahim would be happy to receive more members of the Club along with their families if they decided to go to Talwada on a Fellowship trip. He had assured full hospitality even to a large group.
Nandan requested members interested in a Fellowship visit to Talwada to give their names to Mr. Eruch Irani at the Rotary Secretariat.