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The Radiant Revolution
of Solar Didi
Devki Devi’s Journey
Renewable energy is transforming the lives of rural women in India
and has the potential to do much more. One such story can be traced
in the heart of Ratanpura village, Muzaffarpur, Bihar. A quiet revolution is
taking place—one powered by the sun and steered by the unwavering
determination of Devki Devi, affectionately known as ‘Solar Didi.’
Devki’s life was fraught with challenges. Married at a young age,
she shouldered the responsibilities of raising four children with limited
resources and a small farm. She is part of a self-help group where she
learned about the government’s PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja
Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) scheme, which promotes solar
pumps for irrigation. However, her decision to adopt this technology was
met with fierce resistance. Her family warned her, villagers mocked her,
and doubts were cast about the viability of solar energy. “Everything
runs on diesel, power/line. This is some machine that runs on water,
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