Residents of Malumela Village in Thalara Rural Municipality on Sunday organised a ceremony that featured cultural dances and performances by local artists to celebrate the electrification of the village.

The electricity was connected to the village via the Jadarigaad Second Micro Hydropower Project that has a capacity of 52 kilowatt.

“The whole village has lit up, night looks like day,” said Brijit Bhandari, 70, upon seeing the wonder of electricity for the first time in his life, “I had never imagined I’d get a chance to switch on a bulb with my own hands. Many of my contemporaries passed away without ever seeing electricity. I consider myself lucky.”

Before the village got connected to electricity, Malumela locals used the needle of saal trees for light.

“I am happy for my children. The era of development has dawned upon us,” said another local Ram Damai, 65.

Chief of Thalara Rural Municipality Bhuwaneshwore Joshi said he hopes the electricity will also bring about new possibilities for development in the village.

“For a long time, despite abundant resources, we had to stay in the dark. Development activities were limited,” Joshi said. “This is going to change now. I would like to request everyone to start new businesses. The rural municipality will fully support you,” Joshi said, addressing the crowd.

Chief of ward 9 Mohan Joshi said that the electricity would help the children in their studies.

“From today, Malumela has moved forward to the era of light, towards a brighter future,” he said.

The electricity service to Malemula Village was possible with the financial contributions from Thalara Rural Municipality (3.85 million), Alternative Energy Office (14.8 million), and labour contribution from the locals. A total of 450 families are the beneficiaries of the electricity service.