The Government Hobart Higher Secondary School for Muslim Girls, Royapettah, recently got a 1.5 KV solar power plant. Students of classes VII, VIII and IX will benefit from the plant that can power 10 lights and seven ceiling fans.

Imtiaz Fathima Wadood, president of the parent-teachers association of the school, said the supply from the plant could also be used to power the examination hall, which has a seating capacity of 100 students, when tests are conducted.

“We have to thank the Lions Club of Periamet for providing the facility worth Rs. 2.5 lakh to the school, which has 300 children from poor families from Triplicane and Royapettah studying,” she said. The Club will maintain the facility for five years.

Clubs belonging to Lions District 324A1 have also installed solar power plants at 35 schools run by Chennai Corporation and the State government.

According to G. Ahmed Sharif, advisor, district 324A1, who is also the project chairman, said a total of 19 government and 11 Corporation schools had been covered under the project this year. “It is the suggestion of the district governor D. Balachandra Reddy that all the clubs are following. The district provides Rs. 50,000 per plant and the clubs have to bear the rest of the cost. Many classrooms are poorly lit and need such solar plants. In the long run, it will also help reduce the schools’ power bills,” he said, adding that more clubs were coming forward to install such plants.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – December 26th, 2013