Homes of 25 Baiga Families Illuminated with Solar Power
Raipur, April 10
The lives of 25 Baiga families living in Patpari, a hamlet under the Kandawani Gram Panchayat in Kabirdham district, have been brightened—literally. Under the Pradhan Mantri Janman Yojana, free solar systems have been installed in all Baiga households by CREDA (Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency), lighting up their homes and bringing hope to the tribal region. The positive impact of government welfare schemes is now clearly visible even in remote tribal settlements.
Located around 80 kilometers from the Kabirdham district headquarters and about 40 kilometers from the Pandariya block headquarters, Patpari village has now become a symbol of new energy and development. Each home has been equipped with a 300-watt solar power system, costing Rs. 65,000 per unit—provided completely free of cost by the central government under the PM Janman Yojana and the Government of Chhattisgarh.
This initiative has not only eliminated darkness from their lives but also sparked a new ray of hope. Phool Singh Baiga from the village shared, “There is no darkness in our homes now. Even at night, our children can study.”
Jagatin Bai Baiga expressed her joy, saying she is thrilled to have electricity in her home under the Janman Yojana. As a beneficiary of the scheme, she was also specially invited to Delhi, where she had the honor of meeting President Smt. Droupadi Murmu.
In addition to solar lighting, two hand pumps have been installed in the village to ensure access to clean drinking water for all Baiga families. Every household has also been provided with Aadhaar and ration cards. As part of healthcare services, health workers visit Patpari regularly to conduct health checkups for the villagers.
The Baiga families primarily depend on agriculture for their livelihood, farming on forest land allotted to them under land lease rights. During sugarcane season, they also work as laborers to support their families. The collection of minor forest produce serves as an additional source of income for these families.