Famed Weavers of Chanderi Get Solar Lamps to Help Them Work in Better Light

The famous weavers of Chanderi won’t have to strain their eyes at night any more – the state has provided them with solar home lights that will help them in their weaving work on a daily basis. 

Chanderi, a famous town in the Ashok Nagar district of Madhya Pradesh, will now be free from the problems of electricity shortage. Known for its centuries old weaving culture, electricity is a very important need in Chanderi because of the meticulous work the weavers have to do.

Thanks to solar energy, they will no longer have to worry about working in dim lights. The state’s energy development corporation has distributed solar home lights to 3,700 members of the weaving community.

Picture for representation only. Photo Credit: Flickr 

The lights have been provided under a special subsidy scheme by the corporation, in collaboration with the Power Corporation of New Delhi, under corporate social responsibility.

According to reports, the Union New and Renewable Energy Ministry had chalked out a project worth Rs. 4.66 crore for distribution of solar lights among the weavers. Each home light costs Rs. 12,600, on which the central government has given a subsidy of Rs. 3,000 and the state government a subsidy of Rs. 4,000, per light.

Thanks to this initiative, weavers will be able to work at night as well. Chanderi is known for producing finely textured fabrics of silk and cotton, adorned with zari woven work. The different kinds of fabrics from Chanderi include silk cotton, pure silk and Chanderi cotton. The weavers use a mix of traditional and modern techniques to manufacture some of the best saris in the country.

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