Techies tap sun to set up ‘light hours’ for students

Students of select schools in and around the Kerala Capital will now get to know how the sun can ‘light up’ their reading hours.

Techies at UST Global, a leading IT services company, facilitated the ‘connection’ as part of a corporate social responsibility act.

SOLAR LANTERNS

California-based UST Global has a development centre at Technopark here. UST Global teamed up with city-based iX (Innovation Experience) to come up with custom-built solar lanterns, 100 of them at one go.

Organic materials such as coconut shells and recycled wood form the primary raw material used in manufacturing the lamp. Aptly called ‘Surya vilakku,’ it is entirely powered by sunlight, a spokesperson for UST Global said.

Each piece is estimated to be worth Rs 1,000 and is completely subsidised by UST Global. Designed by iX, each lamp has undergone rigorous testing for durability.

4 LIGHT HOURS

It offers at least four hours of bright light after the solar panels get charged up for six hours.

The IT services company gave away the lanterns to students of the various government schools at a function held here.

Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed received the first lamp on behalf of students from Alexander Varghese, country head, UST Global.

Those present on the occasion included activist Sugatha Kumari; K. Muraleedharan, MLA; J. Chandrika, mayor of the city corporation; and cultural icon Soorya Krishnamoorthy.

Sugatha Kumari spoke about the necessity of conserving environment and using solar energy as a renewable source.

> vinson.kurian@thehindu.co.in

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