The ComAfrique Initiative - Sustainability in Lighting Up Rural Villages - Implementation Report

The ComAfrique Initiative: ‘Light Up a Village’ with ZonLight

Implementation Report

The Initiative commenced in The Gambia, with ComAfrique offering to sponsor one Village and TATA Africa responding with an offer to sponsor another with ZonLights and ZonHomes. These offers were sent to the Office of the President who responded immediately and very favourably, offered to also sponsor two villages. The Villages named by His Excellency, Sheikh Prof. Alhagi Dr. Yahya A J J Jammeh to be sponsored by ComAfrique and TATA Africa- Safari Motors were respectively

1. Jakoi Gibbirick ( Foni District)

2. Battendeng ( Foni Bintang District)

And those to be sponsored by His Excellency were

1. Bujingha ( Foni Kansala District)

2. Jirramba ( Foni Kansala District)

On 29th December 2009, the ComAfrique team along with Mr Omar Gibba (Dy. Chief of Protocol, Office of the President, made an initial survey of the 4 villages.

On the 4th of January, 2010, ComAfrique Limited invited representatives of the 4 villages to explain the implementation procedure. In consultation with the Dy. Chief of Protocol, dates for the final implementation were fixed.

From January 8th to the 11th, ComAfrique team comprising of Mr Nfamara Dampha, Mr Mustapha Njie, and Mr Ram Mohan driven by Mr Modou Bah with Mr Sheriff Sowe of Safari Motors (TATA Representative) and accompanied by GRTS Reporter Mr Ebrima Jatta and cameraperson Mr Joof undertook the implementation of the first four villages.

The Implementation team decided that it would be ideal to do all villages on one trip, spending one night in each of the villages, thereby giving us an opportunity to experience the effect of the lights in the villages. Our experience has been overwhelming.

ComAfrique Gambia Team with TATA Africa / Safari Motors Team set out to Implement the

ComAfrique Initiative “LIGHT UP A VILLAGE” with ZonLight

4 Villages in the Fonis – January 8th to January 11th, 2010

JAKOI GIBBIRICK( Sponsored by ComAfrique Limited): Jan 8th / 9th:

A Very Warm reception was accorded by the Alkalo’s representative, Mr Backary Jarju. Our First activity was requesting them to set up the Village ZonLight Committee.

VILLAGE STATISTICS (Provided by Village Alkalo and Representatives)
Number of Compounds : 38
Houses : 54
Population
Total : 1010  (Men : 310  Women : 500  Children : 200)

 Average spending per Month on Candles per Family 300 GMD

Jakoi Village ZonLight Committee
Ebou Gibba
Salimina Jarju
Adama Sanneh
Alkalo Representative - Backary Jarju
Alkalo : Seikou Jarju

The Committee agreed that the village would participate in the sustainability programme of 1 Dalasi per day per Light. The full village was asked to gather in front of the Alkalis compound at sunset. We set up a demonstration Street Light and a work table around which the ZonLights and ZonHomes for distribution were arranged. A list was drawn up with village compound representatives’ names and the number of lights to be given to each compound. This was worked out on the basis of the number of individuals living in each compound.

The ceremony began with prayers followed by a demonstration of the operation and durability of the lights. Thereafter the Initiatives Sustainability Program was explained – especially how important the 1 Dalasi payment was. Villagers were allowed to ask questions and clear doubts. Then the actual presentation began. Each Compound leader was called out by name. On being given the designated number of lights, they were publicly asked if they accepted to pay the Village ZonLight Committee a sum of ONE Dalasi per Light per Day. They were also told that in case of default they would accept that the Committee was empowered to take back a light and re-issue the light to any other. Amidst a lot of cheering, each compound head came forward, took the lights, signed receipt and adherence to pay the 1 Dalasi per Light per Day. Great excitement followed as each compound member then lit up their lights. The GRTS Camera crew too were amazed that the ZonLights were used for their filming as well. The entire evening was only powered by solar ZonLights. No big expenses were made for the ceremony and a cost effective program was initiated with a bright yet cost effective spirit. 71 Lights were distributed in Jakoi as detailed below

JAKOI GIBBIRICK Number Value (GMD)

TOTAL LIGHTS GIVEN 71 (worth 77,000 GMD)
ZonLight Basic 57 (57,000 )
ZonLight II 10 (12,000 )
ZonHome 4 (8,000 )

JAKOI Villagers Gather around a Demo Zon Streetlight for the Handing over Ceremony of ZonLights & ZonHomes

Mr Nfamara Dampha demonstrates ZonLight to the Jakoi ZonLight Committee and to the Villagers while Mustafa Njie looks on

Village recipient of ZonLights Signs acceptance to pay Village ZONLIGHT Committee Sustainability fee of 1 Dalasi per Light per Day

This included ZonHomes for the Alkalo residence as well as for the Mosque, School Head and the Medical Centre.

The presentation ended with prayers to the Almighty and with thanks being showered on His Excellency, President Jammeh for encouraging the initiative from ComAfrique and to ComAfrique for their Light up a Village with ZonLight Initiative.

A Certificate of Implementation of the Initiative was signed by the ComAfrique Team as well as by the Village ZonLight Committee and witnessed by the Alkalo. A copy of this certificate is attached.

The entire ComAfrique team and the GRTS crew slept late that night while Jakoi Gibbirick cheered the entry of simple lights into their lives. The hospitality in Villages that we have seen has been in true reciprocity to the nature of the event. Each member of the team was housed with one of the families.

The ComAfrique and GRTS team then left the following morning to Battendeng.

BATTENDENG VILLAGE (Foni Bintang District) Sponsored by TATA Africa-Safari Motors) – 9th /10th January, 2010

VILLAGE STATISTICS (Provided by Alkalo and Representative)

Number of Compounds : 8

Houses : 41

Population   

Total : 134 (Men-55 Women-39 Children-40)

Average spending per Month on Candles per Home 300 GMD

Battendeng Village ZonLight Committee

Jainaba Jammeh

Sajo Jarju

Seaka Badjie

Alkalo : Borry Jammeh

ComAfriques Modou Bah, Mustafa Njie, Nfamara Damfa & Sheriff Sowe prepare ZonLights at Battendeng

Battendeng Village Housewife Cleaning Rice under ZonLight

A much smaller village than Jakoi, but with the same big enthusiasm. This village designated by His Excellency, President Jammeh, was sponsored by TATA Africa-Safari Motors. With 8 Compounds, 59 Lights were distributed to a very excited village. The Alkalo and villages sang songs in praise His Excellency, President Jammeh. They sang for TATA Africa – Safari Motors and thanked ComAfrique for the initiative.

The Alkalos residence, The Village Mosque as well as the night Koranic school benefited with having ZonHomes allocated.

The lights provided was as follows

BATTENDENG VILLAGE Number & Value (GMD)

TOTAL LIGHTS GIVEN : 59 (64,000GMD)

ZonLight Basic : 46 (46,000)

ZonLight II :  10 (12,000)

ZonHome 3 (6,000)

Villagers Celebrate under ZonLight - The Arrival of Sustainable Light in Battendeng

Sheriff Sowe of Safari Motors - Representing TATA Africa - Hands over ZonLights to a Battendeng Village member

 Alkalo of Battendeng, Mr Borry Jammeh sings a Song thanking President Jammeh

A Certificate of Implementation of the Initiative was signed by the ComAfrique Team as well as by the Village ZonLight Committee and witnessed by the Alkalo. A copy of this certificate is attached.

Alkalo Borry Jammeh Handing the Certification of Implementation to Ram Mohan

We trust that he will not have any further use for that Torch :-)

The following morning the team thanked the hosts for their hospitality and left for the village of Bujingha in Foni Kansala District.

BUJINGHA VILLAGE (Foni Kansala District) (Sponsored by His Excellency, President Jammeh) - 10th / 11th January, 2010

A right turn before the Bwiam Hospital, and a few kilometres drive brings you to the village of Bujingha. A very well organised representative of the Alkalo, Mr. Modou Bojang met the team and immediately set about organising his Village ZonLight Committee.

VILLAGE STATISTICS (Provided by Village Alkalo and Representative)

Number of Compounds 25

Houses 133

Population ( Including Children) 
Total : 317 (Male: 167  Female: 150)

Average spending per Month on Candles per Home 300 GMD

Bujingha Imam leads prayers while Alkalo Representative Modou Bojang, ComAfrique Nfamara Damfa and M Njie with the Village ZonLight Committee pray

Bujingha Village ZonLight Committee
Modou L Bojang - Alkalo Representative

Binta Bojang

Baboucar Jarju

Alkalo : Seikou Bojang

Bujingha Alkalo Mr Seikou Bojang Hands over Certificate of Implementation to Ram Mohan of ComAfrique

Village Children in Bujingha Studying under ZonLights

This village was all the more excited because H E, President Jammeh had personally sponsored as well as selected the village. They understood the seriousness of the sponsorship and this was seen in their attitude – very positive.

The Ceremony began as usual with a prayer of thanks and loud cheering marked every household as their representative received the designated lights. The simplicity of the lights and yet the effect they have were constant reminders of how important light is. The ComAfrique team helped install the ZonHomes in the Alkalos residence as well as the Mosque.

Details of the Lights provided:

BUJINGHA VILLAGE Number & Value (GMD)

TOTAL LIGHTS GIVEN : 71 (78,600 GMD)

ZonLight Basic : 45 (45,000)

ZonLight II : 23 (27,600)

ZonHome : 3 (6,000)

A Certificate of Implementation of the Initiative was signed by the ComAfrique Team as well as by the Village ZonLight Committee and witnessed by the Alkalo. A copy of this certificate is attached.

Hospitality here was at a peak demonstrating the appreciation of the arrival of the Implementation team. The ComAfrique and GRTS team then left for the village of JIRRAMBA.

JIRRAMBA VILLAGE (Foni Kansala District) (Sponsored by His Excellency, President Jammeh) – 11th January, 2010.

VILLAGE STASTICS (Provided by the Alkalo representative)

Number of Compounds : 29

Houses : 236

Population (including children)

Total : 331 (Male :164  Female : 167)

Average spending per Month on Candles per Home 300 GMD

 ComAfrique Dampha, Bah, Njie assisted by the Imam of Jirramba – arrange the ZonLights for Charging before handing over

The Cheer that the ZonLights and the team brought to Jirramba and the other villages was worth much more than anything else

A few Kilometres after Bwiam, a left turn and a couple of kilometres brought us to this fairly large village. Sidi Gibba, the very young son of Alkalo Mr Jerreh Gibba was our point of contact. We wanted to attempt a day time ceremony to enable the GRTS crew to return to Banjul to cover other engagements. However the hospitality and the enthusiasm of the villagers made us stay back and implement this village too in the evening. A Large and diverse Village ZonLight Committee was selected.

Jirramba Village ZonLight Committee

Sidi Gibba

Baboucar Jarju

Fatou Badgie

Njougou Jarju

Alkalo : Jerreh Gibba

 Village elders of Jirramba show their appreciation welcoming Ram Mohan and the team from ComAfrique

Nfamara Dampha listens to a Villager of Jirramba while the Alkalo, Mustafa Njie  and the Village Committee listen.

Eager Jirramba mother signs for her ZonLight agreeing to pay 1 Dalasi to the Village ZonLight Fund assisted by Mustafa Njie

Happy Jirramba Villager with her ZonLights

This village seemed a far more affluent village with several vehicles driving past and all children neatly dressed in school uniforms. Yet the absence of light and the excitement among young and old alike gave one a feeling that this was really important to them. Families that did not have compounds as yet, wanted to sign up and take lights – willing to pay the ONE Dalasi per Light in advance. Reactions have been very energising for all of us. We are determined to take this further. In a very heart warming gesture, the village of Jirramba even wanted to take an additional ZonHome for the neighbouring village Mosque.

Details of ZonLights and ZonHomes provided in Jirramba:

JIRRAMBA Number & Value (GMD)

TOTAL LIGHTS GIVEN : 72 (80,800GMD)

ZonLight Basic : 40 (40,000)

ZonLight II : 29 (34,800)

ZonHome : 3 (6,000)

At the end of the ceremony, the Certificate of Implementation of the Initiative was signed by the ComAfrique Team as well as by the Village ZonLight Committee and witnessed by the Alkalo. A copy of this certificate is attached.

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Thus came to the end of a very exhilarating trip and the beginning of a long voyage for ComAfrique, where we will endeavour to attract more sponsors with participation from ComAfrique as well.

ComAfrique have assured each village that they will sponsor ONE Rural Street Light to Each Village being sponsored (at 6,000GMD each). This light can be mounted in a central place in the Village. The Village ZonLight Committee will be responsible to find a manner to make this light sustainable as well. These will be installed as soon as they arrive and the housings are fabricated in The Gambia.

To summarize the efforts of our team, please find below what the first four sponsorships of 4 (Four) Villages have yielded

TOTAL SUMMARY Number & Value in GMD

Total Lights Given : 277 (324,400 GMD)

ZonLight Basic : 188 (188,000)

ZonLight II : 72 (86,400)

ZonHome : 13 (26,000)

Zon StreetLight* : 4 (24,000)

A Break up of Corporate and HE President Jammehs Sponsorships is below

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP Number & Valuein GMD

Total Lights Given : 132 (153,000 GMD)

ZonLight Basic : 103 (103,000)

ZonLight II 20 (24,000)

ZonHome 7 (14,000)

Zon StreetLight* 2 (12,000)

HE PRESIDENTs SPONSORSHIP Number & Value in GMD

Total Lights Given : 145 (171,400GMD)

ZonLight Basic : 85 (85,000)

ZonLight II : 52 (62,400)

ZonHome : 6 (12,000)

Zon StreetLight* : 2 (12,000)

* The ZonStreet Lights are yet to be assembled and will be put up and sponsored by ComAfrique Gambia Limited

ComAfrique Limited would also like to mention that the ZonHomes are now being assembled in The Gambia.

The ComAfrique Team would like to profusely thank His Excellency, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A J J Jammeh for the immense support given in implementing this Initiative. We would like to believe that this is only the beginning and that we will work towards getting more sponsors for ZonLights and ZonHomes in villages to make rural Gambia energy independent and bright. We would like to thank the Office of the President, Secretary General, Government of The Gambia, Mr Omar Gibba (Dy Chief of Protocol) and the Director of GRTS Mr M Sanyang as well as the very enthusiastic and hard working GRTS team of Mr Ebrima Jatta and Mr Joof. Our thanks also go for the encouragement given by the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Petroleum and PURA for giving us moral support to move ahead. Our profound gratitude goes to Mr Sumeet Tank of TATA Africa and to Mr H R Aswani and Mr. Ram Aswani of Right Choice Supermarket who have also taken the cause in sponsoring villages. And of course we cannot but thank the people of The Gambia without whose support, no sustainable project could ever move ahead.

Ram Mohan

Managing Director – ComAfrique Limited

On Behalf of the ZonLight Implementation Team of ComAfrique

Mr Nfamara Dampha

Mr Mustafa Njie

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Several ZonLights Fixed on a strip makes a wonderful Flood Light for Rural Meetings

The ComAfrique Initiative "Light Up A Village" - with Solar ZonLights

The ComAfrique “LIGHT UP A VILLAGE” Initiative
Entrepreneurship from India – in Partnership with The Gambia

Light is a primary necessity for development.

The ComAfrique Initiative is a basic Sustainable SOLAR Rural Lighting Project that combines Individual & Corporate Social Responsibility with Local Village participation, at an AFFORDABLE cost to make it genuinely possible to provide basic clean Light to Rural Areas.

ComAfrique Limited invites Corporates, NGO’s and Government Departments to come forward, Sponsor and “Light Up a Village” with Solar ZonLights and ZonHomes.

ZonLights and ZonHomes are simple yet DURABLE Solar LED lights that provide amazing white light using high technology from InteliZon India. The ZonLights give upto 7-9 hours light with a 6 hour Solar Charge. The ZonHomes give upto 15-17 hours of light with a similar charge. They require no complicated installation. Each Light has a ONE Year warranty. The Batteries are Li-Ion and last upto 2 years depending on use. Replacement batteries are economical and easily available. The LEDs and Solar Panels could last from 5-7 years.

Under this initiative, Each Village (of approximately 25 households) is Sponsored by a participating Corporate, NGO, Individual or Government, providing about 50-70 ZonLights for the households and 5-7 ZonHomes for the School, Community Centre, Village Chiefs house, Medical Centre, Police Station, Mosque or Church, , etc. (The final configuration can be altered depending on size of the village and requirements).

The Sponsorship value is approximately 65,000 to 70,000GMD/- (approx 2,600US$ per Village).

The Initiative is then made SUSTAINABLE by involving villagers.

A Village ZonLight Committee is first set up. The Committee should ideally comprise of the Alkali or Village Chief, a dynamic youngster and a dynamic woman of the village.

The Committee provides ComAfrique with details of each village : Name of the Alkali, approximate population, number of compounds, number of households, average spending per household on candles and other sources of light, etc. Based on this information, the final configuration of the sponsorship is drawn up.

The Head of Each family receiving each light then formally and publicly engages with the Village ZonLight Committee to pay a minimal sum of ONE Dalasi per Day or 30 GMD per Month for each sponsored light. (This is very low compared to the 5-6 GMD spent on a candle per day and is safer too). This money is paid to the Village ZonLight Fund which will be managed by the Committee. This fund generates an income of 360GMD per Light per year for the Village. This fund can then be used to purchase replacement batteries in two years (life of the Li-Ion battery), which cost 175GMD for ZonLight and 250 GMD for ZonHome. Since the ZonLights and Zon Homes will last from 5-7 years, this fund will grow in surplus. The ZonLight fund then can be used to replace the ZonLights or ZonHomes and can even be used to ADD the number of Lights in the Village. (See attached Appendix 1)

The Village ZonLight Committee will monitor the payments from Villagers and set Village rules for the usage of the Village Light Fund. This fund should ideally be used only for Lighting up the village with ZonLight.

If the Village ZonLight Committee and ZonLight fund are run properly, the Beneficiary Village will NEVER be Dark again. In addition to providing Light in the villages, the initiative also encourages co-operation and organization in the village for a civic amenity.

The ComAfrique Initiative has commenced in The Gambia with the first four villages being identified by His Excellency, The President of The Gambia, Sheikh Professor Alhagi Dr. Yahya A J J Jammeh. H E has sponsored two villages (Bujingha & Jirramba) and ComAfrique Limited and TATA Africa-Safari Motors Sponsored the other two (Jakoi & Battendeng) respectively. RIGHT CHOICE SUPERMARKET, have immediately offered to sponsor another village and we will request H E to kindly nominate the Village.

The Initiative has begun. It is upon us to take it forward.

The ComAfrique “ZonLight” Team
Entrepreneurship from India - In Partnership with The Gambia
Contact: Nfamara Damfa (220) 7008892 or Mustafa Njie (220) 7012812 www.comafrique.gm

Simple Solar Lighting Systems

I live in The Gambia. The Smiling and Sunny Coast of Africa – The land of beaches, a river and abundant sun… well, that’s if Global Warming doesn’t have its way. Most common buzz words heard these days - Global Warming, Greenhouse Gases, Carbon Footprints, Renewable Energy, Climate Change etc. keep echoing in our ears. The moment there’s an unscheduled rain, or an extremely hot or cold day – most of us turn into environmental experts – “its Global warming” is the immediate synopsis.

Well, it took me a long time to understand these terms. I couldn’t figure out how Global Warming could make us feel cold. How it caused floods. How cattle could influence global warming. But today I am wiser. I ask sensibly, ‘Is a candle eco-friendly?’ Is holding a conference on Global Warming in Denmark, with 15,000 delegates, each one liberally burning carbon to get there, an ideal method to discus reduction of emission of greenhouse gasses?

I, and probably 99% of this worlds sensible netizens have slowly but surely realized that Global warming is something that will not go away easily. Yet most of us don’t do anything about it. Me included.

Well until recently.
And my tryst with eco-friendliness happened by chance.
It was, when, as a partial diplomat, I was on one of my trips to India, my second home. (The Gambia has been my first home since 1998). I was browsing the markets (the old fashioned way - taking flights, making telephone calls, riding taxis, calling friends etc). I was looking for appropriate rural technologies that we could bring from India to Africa. I did find some innovative water purifiers and leaf cup and plate making machines. And this was when I stumbled upon a Solar Task Light. To be honest it was the Solar Task Light that stumbled on me!! It was given to me as a gift. A SOLAR TASK light? Barely understanding what it was, I almost left it behind as an unwanted bulky, vital-airline-baggage-allowance-consuming TORCH. A last minute power cut while packing my bags in Chennai, reminded me of our unscheduled power cuts in The Gambia and the TASK Light found a place to snuggle in my luggage.

Back in The Gambia….. Voila, the first power cut back at home and out came the ZonLight. And it did save us that night. What surprised me even more was that this gadget was still ‘ON’ when we woke up in the morning.....after 9 hours!!! Noticing the Solar panel on the Yellow object, I figured out that I had to get it into the sun to charge. (Remember – for want of baggage allowance, I'd left the operation manual and the carton in India). I left it out in the sun. In the evening I noticed that it had started flashing like a camera flashbulb. Worried, I returned my ZonLight to the safety of indoors. That evening, after waiting eagerly for the sun to leave, I put it ON at night once again, inquisitively, waking up at hourly intervals to see if it was still on. NAWEC didn’t go off that night – and neither did the ZonLight. The results were the same. Almost 10 hours of Light this time.!! I then did the first thing I did with all my toys in my younger days ... I took it apart. Fiddled with it until it didn’t work!!! ...well at least I thought it didn't work. I now needed to find out how I could lay my hands on another and there started my quest to get in touch with the manufacturer. What energized my search was that on another day I was actually able to put all the pieces back together and VOILA it worked again. I had become hooked onto the amazing piece of technology I was holding. And thereby started my tryst with ZonLight and “Eco-friendliness”.

To get to the point of this long story, I now import these ZonLight Solar Task Lights. Together with Intelizon's Kushant Uppal, I see a great potential for these simple solutions in the dark unlit corners of the globe. Kushant Uppal, the founder of Intelizon is a dreamer. (An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, he quit a luxurious life in the US after 20 years and returned to India. Guided by his mentor Professor Jhunjhunwallah (a known science thinker and someone who has consulted the Indian Presidency on solar and renewable sources of energy), Kushant decided to something for India’s rural areas that were devoid of light. Working without major NGO support, in India he has developed a mechanism using microfinance and a marketing team, to deliver his products to remote villages. However, here in Africa, sustainable and workable micro finance does not exist, and thus has made our task of direct selling quite different. However NGOs, Governments and Corporates have a far freer hand in spending and thus our task here is seems to be to channel NGO funding and Corporate SOCIAL Responsibility into a distribution segment. We are together looking at making this a larger story. We have received a lot of encouragement from NGOs like CRS (Catholic Relief Services) and Riders for Health and most recently from the Ministry of Energy and the Government of The Gambia. PURA has been very encouraging and have showcased our ZonLights. Corporate sponsorship recently has kick started a Light up a Village campaign which we, ComAfrique have been proud to initiate. TATA Africa are on board too. More information is provided below.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTS:
Intelizon, initially commenced with 3 basic products for the Indian market. Ever since we have looked at Africa, we have requested models that adapt to African situations and markets.

ZONLIGHT (BASIC) - a 5 LED( Light Emitting Diode) SOLAR TASK Light.
Why is called a TASK light – Because it permits you to use it for many ‘TASKS’. The Light is not concentrated and thus spreads, making it different from a Torch. Hung from the ceiling with the strap – it acts like a room bulb. Strapped around your body helps you do work with your hands free. Use it in a shop or your workshop as a light. You can even use it as a torch! Thus this is a TASK Light.


The ZonLight Basic uses a small compact Lithium-Ion 450-500mA Battery (Like your Cell phone Battery). The ZonLight Basic provides a two stage light that lasts from 7/9 hours on bright mode to 3/5 hours on Extra Bright mode. The battery charges from 6 hours exposure to sunlight from an inbuilt panel. The ZonLight has a carrying strap making it easy to use with your hands free or hang up from the ceiling. It is quite weather proof. It comes with a 1 year warranty. The battery lasts from 1-2 years depending on usage and is easily replaceable. The LEDs and Panel are top quality and last 5 years. The body is moulded hard ABS plastic and is durable. The drop (throw on the ground) test is our favourite selling gimmick. The standard dialogue that follows after dropping the ZonLight with a large sound - and showing that it still works is “SEE its 'Made in India'”.

When fully charged if flashes like a flashbulb. And this too is a selling aid. We use this feature for advertising too. At the recent concluded GCCI Trade Fair, ZonLights provided the illumination for TATA – Safari Motors vehicles.


ZONLIGHT II - More or less similar to ZONLIGHT Basic model as above, except that it has the following additional features.
1. It has the option of being charged with the grid/electricity and thus can be charged in 3 hours.
2. It has the option of charging a Nokia phone (models like the 1100/1200) using the inbuilt solar panel for emergency talk time.
3. It has a charge indicator that glows when charging.

We have devised a model called the ZonLight II Plus: using a 1W external portable solar panel with a 1000mAh battery on a ZonLight II – we now are able to offer the amazing Zonlight with 12/24 Hours of Light with the same charging times.

ZONHOME: A truly revolutionary urban and rural use Light that resembles a tube light or an Emergency Light. It also has the Grid and Solar Charging facilities with a 1 Watt Portable Solar External panel (5 metres cable provided). Installation is very simple or not required. The Light is also portable and can be moved around with its Dimmer / On Off switch. On low power, the ZONHOME provides AMAZING 15 (FIFTEEN!) hours of light. And in Full mode provides 'eye-shutting' bright light with 2-3 hours of back up. Connected to the Grid the ZONHOME can be used as a permanent light solution that automatically switches to back up when power goes off. The Consumption is only 6Watts when used with Nawec. It also has the feature to charge Nokia phones via the solar panel. One Year Warranty and robust construction are a standard from Intelizon and ComAfrique.


NEW INNOVATIONS being developed are the ZONLIGHT III - which can be used as a basic Outdoor automatic switching Light with a sensor incorporated. Floodlights or Streetlights are also being developed on this chassis.

ZON STREET LIGHT – has been developed for rural street lighting with a 1700mAh battery and 2 x 1W panels combination that delivers bright light for 10-11 hours with an automatic sensor switch on and off. The light is also more focused using special lenses on the LEDs. The ZonSTREET is an amazing Street Lighting product available almost 75% cheaper than equivalent products in the market. ZON Street Lights are ideal for Gardens, Hotels, Beach Bars, Restaurants, Warehouses etc too. At 5500GMD with a One Year Warranty and 1-2 year battery life – with a 350GMD battery replacement cost – this becomes an effective tool for governments to light up rural areas at low maintenance costs.


ZON GATE and GARDEN Lights: using the same chassis of the ZONLIGHTS and ZonHomes a variety of lights are being developed for domestic outdoor use. The ZonGate Light will save you 180 GMD / Month on your Electricity consumption ( based on using 40Watt Lights for your current Gate Lights)

Zon SIGNBOARD – In a recent experiment we have succeeded in using 3 ZonHome chassis electronics to induct in a 2 meter hexagonal sign board. With the right settings we will be able to have daily illumination for 10-12 hours for 1.5 years. For an equivalent sign board, current systems use 2-4 40 watt tube lights which need frequent replacement. ZonSIGNBoards will save you 50% on your Electricity bills and 100% on your wiring costs.

In addition InteliZon is developing ZON POWER, an inverter based system that will revolutionize the Inverter industry. Can't tell you too much since it is a revolutionary idea.

The units available are all priced far below any of the CFL products marketed currently and are far longer lasting than any of the LED solutions offered at the moment.

An ADDED BONUS FOR AFRICA is that ComAfrique has taken up the assembly of the products in Africa, thus providing green employment as well.

I would encourage more people to invest in these simple solar lighting solutions - AS our advertisement says - LIGHT UP A LIFE - GIFT SOMEONE A ZONLIGHT TODAY.

Solar Energy also gives the corporate world an opportunity to exhibit Corporate Social responsibility. When you gift someone LIGHT – you are gifting their families an opportunity. Light means an ability to read and study at night. Light encourages Learning and Learning is the driving force of a Developing Nation.

ComAfrique, in its quest of Corporate Social Responsibility has chosen to show the way. Along with another socially aware Company from India, TATA Africa (represented by Safari Motors in The Gambia), have jointly offered to Sponsor Solar Lights to Two Villages to the Government of The Gambia. The details of the sponsorship are as follows:-
Each Village (of approximately 25 Households Each) will be given at least one or two ZonLights per Household. And Each Village will also be given from 5-7 ZonHomes for their Community Centre, Medical Centre, Village Mosque or Church, Police Station and School. The Lights could be in various combinations to suit each Village. The Value of each Villages sponsorship is approximately 65-70,000GMD. ComAfrique invites other NGOs/Corporates to take up this offer and sponsor more villages in The Gambia.

And for any other Sponsor, offering to use ZonLights to Light up a Village, ComAfrique are expanding their offer a little further. They pledge to provide EVERY Village sponsored by any other Corporate using ZonLights, ONE FREE Battery Replacement – thus extending the availability of Light for a total of approximately 3-4 years for each household and each village sponsored by any other department or corporate.

And All this with a ONE YEAR WARRANTY.


NEWS FLASH
When ComAfrique first offered to sponsor a village with ZonLights and ZonHomes, Mr. Sumeet Tank of TATA Africa offered to sponsor another village as part of their CSR. His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A J J Jammeh, The President of The Gambia, has now benevolently consented to sponsor two more villages in The Gambia. Thus a movement is now on with 4 Villages benefiting from this scheme.
The Villages of Jakoi Gibbirick and Battendeng are being sponsored by ComAfrique and TATA Africa/Safari-Motors respectively and the villages of Bujingha and Jiramba are being sponsored by His Excellency.

In an attempt to make this self sustainable, the Project will encourage each village to devise means to make this self sustainable. The Corporates will initially sponsor a light or two for each home that will last 1-2 years. The beneficiary villagers will be requested contribute a minimal amount of approximately 1 GMD a day (30GMD per Month to a village Light fund). Therefore, at the end of the two years they have sufficient funds to replace the batteries (175-350GMD) and thereby have light for a further 1-2 years. At the end of the 3-5th year, the village fund has sufficient funds to replace every light. A small sum of 1 GMD per day, will give each household basic light for a lifetime. This is Cheaper and a far more Safer and Better Light than candles.

ComAfrique invites more corporates to come forward and Sponsor Villages.

The Lights will enhance Education as children can study at night. We would invite UNICEF and UNDP to be a part of this program as well.

For more information please contact

In Africa: Ram Mohan - ComAfrique Limited at www.comafrique.gm
In India: Kushant Uppal - InteliZon Ltd at www.intelizon.com

BRINGING LIGHT FROM THE SUN TO YOU–SIMPLY–VERY SIMPLY

Austerity and the Theory of Relativity

The recent and ongoing debate on Austerity measures being proposed and imposed by our Political leaders in India, and thereafter being dissected by the media is a real cause for concern. They seem to see austerity in a molecular singular sense and present tense. Austerity would mean exhibiting a sense of livelyhood relatively lower to your regular standard of living. An Onasis exhibiting an austere life would probably mean skiping his caviar and champagne. My austerity would mean swapping my J&B whisky for a Captain Whisky. Thus a Shashi Tharoor, though someone who very naturally adapts to any environment and living condition, perceived by the press to be someone who splurged while an employee of the UN, is told to move out of a 5 Star Hotel into some inconspcious accomodation only becasue the 5 Star accomodation is peceived to be un-austere. I have stayed at the worlds best hotels at rates far lower than the rack rates of many 2 or 3 star hotels. Yet had I stayed at the lower grade hotel paying more - I would have been perceived to be 'austere' by beholders. Sonia Gandhi flying in Economy Class is perceived to be austere (even though the government spends more on logistics and security. The press coverage, mobile vans, police detail, CBI and all other departments carbon footprint would have been doubled or trebled on her austerity drive. And the more absurd one - is Rahul's train journey. Rahul sees it as his molecular and singular self being austere. Yet a government sees it as security detail of a larger number of the NSG (invisible to Rahul) for the 3 hour journey rather than a handful required for his 15 minute secure flight. All this not considering the inconvenience and expenses incurred by the detached everyday 'austere' passengers. Maybe those co-passengers should have exhibited thir austeity by travelling by bus, and the bus travellers....and so on and so on....

Austerity is also relative to the surroundings and thus not the same for everyone. I've said this before - being simple (austere) could be far more complicated than being complicated. A vegetarian in Africa pays much more and complicates life - yet being vegetarian is perceived as being austere. In Hindu mythology, Sudama, Krishna's austere friend would have flummoxed everyone offerng the 'austere' meal of Poha(puffed rice) in an African scenario - the very simple Poha is far more expensive than most other luxury items in an Indian Supermarket here.
And of course we have our wonderful media that loves controversy - 40 austerity debates - have literaly pushed public figures to clandestinely do normal things and will eventually crucify honest politicians like Tharoor. He recently twitted that he was more comfortable in his politician's collarless outfit (garb devoid of a collar and noose (neck tie) ......and I wondered.. whether the necktie was far less dangerous than the news (noose) media that his political garb attracted?
His latest twit on austerity concerning the 'economy class' seems to have tickled his party. It will be the literary worlds loss if a party whip silences his twitting by 'ordering' him to be 'austere' with his words too. The theory of relativity led to the creation of an atomic bomb. What bomb will this 'austerity' theory develop into?
Post Script : At the time of posting this I just read the hype that NDTV has made of the Tharoor issue..... The Congress party messages are being broadcast... their distaste at his mention of the holy cows.... the media criticizes Rahul for his security lapse ....... the media rules... and is winding up the timer on a bomb!

From Nepal to The Gambia and Beyond...

When I heard from friends in Conakry, that a Cyclist from Nepal with origins from India was there and his next destination was The Gambia, I didn't really think of it in terms of the magnittude of the effort. The thoughts bordered around possibilities of where I was to house him and what his agenda would be.

That was a few weeks ago. Four days back I received a call in the evening, in typical Gorkhali / Nepali accent. I'm aware of the accent with several members of the family having and currently served in the Army in the 2/8GR and thus my sister and neice too speaking the language fluently.

'Mein Lok Bandhu Karki hoon sab', he announced his arrival in Hindi over the phone. 'On cycle' he added . Ending the announcement with a 'sir' at the end. Probably a reflection of his upbringing in Indian Army environments.

We met at my office the following day after he spent the night in a Hotel in Banjul ( about 10 KM away). Dressed in a typically Nepali cream coloured cross breasted kurta pyjama, very neatly, with the trademark Nepali topi (cap) he entered profusely sweating and yet not giving one the impression of having cycled all the way from Nepal.

Over the last four days he has given us glimpses of his journey. Methodically collecting newspaper cuttings, photographs and testemonials from each of the 64 countres before arrivng here in The Gambia, he has recounted stories of his endurance, troubles, and successes during his 75,000KM journey from Nepal, India through Asia, South Africa upwards through the East Central and West Africa - all by bicycle except for one or two flights over continents or Island nations. He aparently left Nepal on the 7th of December, 2004 (an anniversary of Peral harbour if I'm not mistaken)

Stories on how they were Four at one point of time - two of whom passed away duing the journey - with illnesses and one accident in Laos. He has voyaged alone for the lat two years or so, dealing with weather, bad roads, governments, rebels, battle zones, rivers, Visas, accomodation , thieves, punctures etc - he has made his way exhausting 4 bicycles during the process. Near death experiences in Sudan, where he didnt know that he couldnt use the national Flag in the rebel areas, and thus almost was executed to brief meetings with Kofi Annan. At 130KM per day at his best, he stops in the evenings at the best possible place that he can sleep - petrol stations, homes, huts, bus stations... to make a few friends, exhibit his ever growing album and distribute his leaflets on pease and harmony - then he moves on.

The message he gives though sounding like a memorised mentally recorded message - is of spreading peace and harmony among people of the world. He similarly rattles out the names o 65 sountries in succession reminding me of our prose recitations in school.

He has no sponsors per say but at each destination, a majority in which he has found support of Indians - he now is accustomed to approachingh Indian associations or Consulates for assistance and says that he has never been turned away. We have done our part and given him 1500US$ from the Indian Community here to carry him to the next stage of his journey. We have also given him a solar torch ( ZonLight ) which will hopefully brighten up his nights and also help him charge his phone while he cycles on - adding to his zero carbon footprint trip.

He moves on to cover the 113 countries he has targetted till 2013. Tomorrow through Senegal then mali, Guinea Bissau and Mauritania and then he intends to 'hop' across to South America and finish his tour with Europe provided he is able to get a Visa.

Questions float around my head - Why does one undertake this voyage. Was it for fame, money or just an experience. Doesnt one lose heart half way through the journey. Someone once said that life was itself a journey. Perhaps this is his life.

Tiger - Tailing my Tales

My dear friend John Santosh Rao - dit 'Tiger' - a nickname that we dont know where he picked up from or acquired, but need no 'elementary' sleuthing skills to attribute it to his now-famous silent, nocturnal sorties.
He has been 'prowling' around this blog recently and has unsuccessfully tried posting comments on some of my twisted tales'. Thus before 'tiger' snarls, I'm pasting a few of his responses to selected 'preys' in my blog.

ON THE DEBATE - BUMSTERS OR BOMBS
Hi Ram,
Tried posting this comment on your blog but couldn't, so here goes....

Me being me, I'll limit myself to the practical and give the metaphysical, existential, moral and other facets a miss.

The bumster industry is one of the shining success stories in the otherwise dismal post-globalization economic scenario in Africa.

Post-WTO, Africa has lost out to Asia in manufacturing and to the Old World in services. This might erroneously lead one to doubt that Globalization Heaven - that place in the clouds where all countries have unique products to export and all other countries are tripping over themselves to buy these products - actually exists.

The success of the bumster biz puts paid to such heresy and renews our faith in the capitalist model, sundry bank failures and home foreclosures notwithstanding.

Consider : the old biddies get arm candy (and more) while the bumster gets to travel to Europe in a plane instead of a pirogue. If this is not win-win........!

Instead of thinking of bumsters as a 'menace', I think the authorities should treat bumsters as investors and give them all possible facilities and incentives. For starters, they can be given free gym memberships, german/italian language classes, dreadlock cleaning kits and the like.

After all, like foreign investors, they also wear suits. And unlike foreign investors, they atleast spend a good portion of their earnings in Africa.

Finally, do keep in mind that this is one product which the chinese cannot easily duplicate and flood the market with cheap ripoffs.

How's that for competitive advantage !

Do invite my friend AC to your blog. He's a well-informed and curious guy who lives in Texas. His id is acreddy@gmail.com.

AC, This Ram is Ram Mohan, the Hony Consul General of India in The Gambia, and not to be confused with Ram Saab, who visited with you in Texas last week.

Cheerio.

tiger


Btw, Ram Saab is back this evening and Mike and me are planning to make some meat pickle over the weekend (basically Mike does the pickling and we do the guzzling while occasionally cheering him along).

(My Comment : I added his post-script here as a little ingredient to exhibit the flavour in which he cooked his pickled response)

*****

ON SANCTIONS - Death Sentences for the Dying

Hi Ram,
Why is it so bloody complicated to post a comment on your blog ?

Anyways, here is my two bits' on the sanctions post...........


ram, as bertrand russell said, people have feelings, nations have interests.

western populations and as a consequence, their leaders, no longer have an appetite to receive their soldiers in bodybags. at the same time, they also reserve the right to pontificate to other nations. it maintains the illusion of empire/power, i guess.

how do you reconcile these two contradictory objectives ? simple. you impose sanctions ! so what if a hundred thousand iraqi babies die or thousands of zimbabweans waste away due to cholera. it doesn't cost you one soldier. but it puts you on the moral high ground.

in this game of sanctions, it is important however to make a difference between 'our' bad guys and 'other' bad guys.

imposing sanctions on remote leaders like mugabe or past friends like noriega and saddam is ok. doing the same thing to, say, a saudi arabia (which just today has decreed that a 70-year old woman has to undergo 40 lashes followed by 3 months' imprisonment because she was talking in her house to a 30 year-old whom she treats as a son), is a definite no-no. lest we actually start believing the moral rhetoric, let me make it very clear that human rights can never ever take precedence over oil or other such staples of western life !

tiger

********

Hey TIger - I especially like your take on the 'Bumster Industry'. Ram

Slumdog - Literary versus Celluloid

I read Vikas Swaroop's 'Q&A' couple of years ago. I must thank my dear friend Alok Jha - (who is also from the same corps as the now-far-more-famous-author of the story that Danny Boyle has twisted enough to take Indian celluloid to the Oscars) - for introducing me to the book. A book which I may have never picked up at all while rummaging through the shelves at Timbuktoo - the only English Bookshop here, frequented so often by our anglo-phone friends especially Alok on his then frequent visits from Senegal).

I recently saw 'Slumdog Millionaire'. We've heard so much about the film and I was all set to be disappointed... a disappointment that naturally occurs over over-hyped offerings. What would this offering by Danny Boyle do?

I had enjoyed the book. The book was one, among others, that gave me inspiration - that it was possible for 'anyone to write' (Gousteau from 'Ratatouille' - made similar statements about people who could weave similar magic with culinary skills too. "Anyone Can Cook" - was the theme of that Celluloid drama). Can Anyone Write? Ofcourse, anyone can write, but getting people to read what they write is the challenge.

Vikas, Shah (The Caliphs House - A year in Casablanca) and Chetan Bhagat have done that to me and to a million other readers. Thus, here I too am, attempting to make people read what I write.

Vikas' book versus Boyles celluloid version - There is a mismatch. Authors have the luxury to be able to explain thoughts and imagination. Their celluloid-medium counterparts, however have to get the character to act and express imagination. Thus books seem to always be better than their films. I was surprised to find articles ridiculing Swaroop and his novel while at the same time Boyle was receiving accolades at making a superhit of a movie from a non-descript novel. THis is where I beg to differ.

I was disappointed by Slumdog. After having rewatched 'SlumDog' with an analytical mind - I am more or less convinced that Vikas' storyline makes sense. To a critical Indian, Boyles story has loopholes. I refer not to his genuine depiction of Dharavi life that has tickled the patriotism of many Indians ashamed of this indecent exposure of a real situation. I refer to loopholes that I list below in this 'budget' film that has made 'Crore-pathis' of most of the team within teh 'Slumdog Millionaire'. (I am also convinced that his budget film was budget because he probably didnt have to re-create sets and just let his 'child' artistes play around while he filmed them.)

Vikas cleverly used a plagiarised version of Kaun Banega C.. thus a cheap studio copy of a very successful show - explaining thus the cheap character exhibited by Anil Kapoor. The Studio running at a loss and unable to pay the winnings, explains the show hosts desperation to stump the candidate. Boyles KBC does not define it as a cheap version - only that the host is cheap. Unimaginable to an Indian audience in my opinion - especially after having had AB and SRK do the original shows.

Ram Mohammed Thomas wins the game show and then is questioned and tortured before he is rescued by the reporter following a story. Jamal is tortured before the end of the show and then is taken back for the final question. Tough to swallow that he would keep quiet.

Boyle has yet woven the tale with exceptional performances from the kids - almost as though they weren't acting - but the Inspector Irfan couldve been droning his Hutch pre-paid adverts and Constable Sreenivas isnt anywhere near a Dharavi Sreenivas. Anil Kapoor couldve been playing Mr India and is the Weakest Link. The technical aspects of the film are I guess what make the presentation beautifully brilliant. Rahmans' Music is superb - exhibiting the immense talent in this genius. I must admit that he deserves nominations for many more scores of his - but those didnt have the backing of Danny Boyle. ( Funnily, at the mention of Danny, I can hear Jim Reeves singing Oh Danny Boy in my memory - 'I love you so' he croons)

It's a pity that books dont have music.