Renewable Energy Day observed
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 20 2013:
As done all over the country, the birthday anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, the late Prime Minister of India, was also celebrated in the State as "Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urjay Dewas, the Renewable Energy Day" at MFDC Hall, Palace Compound here today under the aegis of Manipur Renewable Energy Development Agency (MANIREDA) .
Speaking as Chief Guest of the function, Chief Minister O Ibobi appealed to one and all not to forget that Rajiv Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, led us into the 21st century through modern science and technology and to take full advantage of renewable energy in our State.
Pointing out the objective of organising the programme, the Chief Minister informed that it has been organised to create mass awareness about the use of New and Renewable Energy and its various applications and utilities.
He further stated that the Government of India is trying to meet the challenge of the energy crisis by making a separate Ministry for the development of new and renewable energy in order to avail it benefits to its people.
In Manipur, the agency to deliver these systems to the people is assigned to MANIREDA, which was established in the year 1999 as an autonomous Government Agency for implementation of all the Renewable Energy projects as the State Nodal Agency.
While highlighting the contributions made by MANIREDA towards supplementing power shortages in the State, the Chief Minister stated that more than 200 remote villages of the State have been benefitted with basic domestic lighting system from renewable energy system.
Power back-up systems for important establishments like hospitals, police stations, DC and SDO offices and common service centres all over the State and installation of solar power plants at surrounding hilltops for night landing facilities have been taken up by MANIREDA.
So far, the agency has accomplished installation of more than 3.5 MW generation capacities from various sources of renewable energy and also more than 5.0 MW of energy saving by reducing connected load in the State power grid through installation of solar water heaters.
Delivering the Presidential speech, Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar stated that human being can use renewable source of energy obtained from sunlight, wind and water for about a billion years.
Apart from this, we human beings are also using others natural sources of energy which will get extinct after sometime.
So it is best for us to get the best benefits from renewable sources of energy.
The function was also attended by L Manglem, Director of MANIREDA and Y Thamkishore, Commissioner of CAF & PD as dais members.
Meritorious students in HSLC/AISE Exam 2013 under BSEM and CBSE were also presented with solar home lighting system on the occasion.
Moreover, solar power packs were also distributed at orphanages, old aged homes, destitute homes, etc, by the Chief Guest
on the occasion.