Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 2
A novel project “Metu,” rural lighting and environment conservation through energy efficient solutions, introduced in 2014 in Nagaland, has been received well by many. Metu means “light” in Chakhesang.
Marking the success of the project, Entrepreneurs Associates (EA) organized a grand function here today at Hotel Vivor with Parliamentary Secretary for Labour & Employment and Border Affairs Mmhonlumo Kikon as the chief guest.
EA launched the Metu (Jyoti) programme in December 2014 supported by Axis Bank Foundation (ABF), Mumbai. The project is being conducted on a pilot basis in six villages for 500 households in Phek district, where EA has its livelihood interventions, with a bigger vision of covering the entire state and neighboring sister states to switch to energy efficient fuel and solar lighting.
Conservation of the exotic forests in Nagaland being a key takeaway of the programme, the project is providing better economic opportunities to marginalized rural tribal farmers by reducing daily household expenditure spent on candles while increasing productive time of farmers to focus on profitable livelihood and income generation.
This venture is the first model in the country aimed at conserving the exotic forests of Nagaland.
EA coordinator (CEO) Neichute Doulo said the project is an innovative venture to provide affordable rural lighting through the usage of solar lamps rather than candle lighting and usage of ‘Smart Cooking Stove’ to reduce felling of trees for firewood.
Mmhonlumo Kikon appreciated the initiative of the project to create environment awareness to the rural people and conducting awareness campaigns in schools to reduce cutting of trees for firewood and encouraged them to plant more trees.
He also said the government will look into the matter in all possible ways and jointly work together for the common cause of humanity by planting trees and conduct more awareness campaigns. He also suggested replicating the idea to other parts of the region.
Also attending the function as the guest of honour, Sentiyanger Imchen, Commissioner for Justice, Law & Parliamentary Affairs lauded EA for playing important role in promoting entrepreneurship among the youth and rural people leading to self-employment and income generation.
K. Anil Kumar, Executive Trustee & Chief Executive Officer, Axis Bank Foundation, Mumbai and C. Babu Joseph, former Executive Trustee & Chief Executive Officer, Axis Bank Foundation, Mumbai also attended the function as special guests.
