Raja Khas village in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh has become very famous for a special reason. It has been declared the first solar model village of the state. This means that the village is using solar power more than any other village in the area. The government of Himachal Pradesh and the central government both supported this project. It was done under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. This scheme was started by the Indian government to give free electricity to people using solar panels. Raja Khas has set a big example for other villages to follow soon.
This achievement did not happen in one day. For six months, a friendly competition was held between forty-three villages in Kangra district. The goal of the competition was to see which village could install the highest amount of solar power. People in Raja Khas worked very hard to win. They installed more solar panels than any other village. At the end of the competition, they reached a solar power capacity of 3,700 kilowatts. This number is the highest among all the villages. Because of this great work, Raja Khas was declared the first solar model village of Himachal Pradesh.
The people in Raja Khas are very happy and proud. They believe that clean energy is the future of the world. Before the project began, many villagers depended only on regular electricity which sometimes had problems. There were power cuts, and electricity bills were high. Now, with the help of solar panels, they can produce their own electricity. This electricity is clean and does not harm nature. It is also free once the solar system is installed. This has saved money for many families and helped them live better lives. Everyone is more aware of the benefits of solar energy now.
Under the Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, the government gave support to the villagers. The scheme helps families by giving money to install solar panels on their rooftops. It also teaches them how to use solar energy safely. The villagers were excited to take part in the program. Many people attended training programs and meetings. They also worked together as a team. With everyone helping each other, the whole village moved towards clean and green energy. The government’s help was very important in making this project a success. Without this scheme, many families could not afford solar power systems.
Because Raja Khas won the competition, the village will now receive a special prize from the government. The prize is a grant of ₹1 crore. This money will be used to develop more solar infrastructure in the village. It will be used to install solar systems in public buildings like schools, hospitals, community halls, and government offices. This will help make all village services more energy-efficient. Students will study in classrooms powered by clean energy. Patients in health centers will benefit from uninterrupted electricity. This support will improve the lives of all people living in Raja Khas village in many ways.
This win has also made Raja Khas a model for rural energy self-reliance. That means the village can now produce most of the electricity it needs on its own. They do not need to fully depend on the state power supply anymore. If more villages follow the same path, the whole state can become energy-independent. This is a big step for Himachal Pradesh. The success of Raja Khas has inspired nearby villages to also start using solar energy. Many village leaders are now planning to apply for the same scheme. They want to bring solar energy to their homes too.
The solar panels work by using sunlight to make electricity. They do not cause pollution like coal or diesel. In the past, many villages used diesel generators during power cuts. These were noisy and caused air pollution. Now, with solar panels, there is no need for generators. The air remains clean, and the village is quieter. People feel healthier and happier. Also, solar panels need very little maintenance. Once they are fixed on rooftops, they work for many years. This makes solar power a smart and low-cost solution for rural areas where energy problems are common during summers and storms.
Villagers have shared their experiences with visitors and media. Many of them said that solar power changed their lives. A farmer said he can now use electric water pumps to irrigate his fields without worrying about power cuts. A tailor said he can run his sewing machine for more hours. A student said her home has proper lights to study at night. These small changes have brought big improvements to daily life. The people of Raja Khas are no longer afraid of dark nights or rising electricity bills. Their confidence has grown because they now control their own power supply.
Schools in Raja Khas are now using solar energy to run computers, fans, and lights. This has helped students and teachers very much. During hot days, classrooms remain cool, and teaching continues without interruption. The school management is also saving money on electricity bills. They can use these savings to buy new books and equipment. The children are learning about solar energy in their science lessons too. They are proud that their village is a model for clean energy. Teachers say the students are now more interested in science and nature because they see real-life examples around them every day.
The health center in Raja Khas is another place that has seen many benefits. Earlier, power cuts used to cause many problems. Lights, refrigerators, and medical machines would stop working during long outages. But now, the health center has its own solar backup system. Important vaccines and medicines are stored properly. Patients are treated with better care. Doctors and nurses feel more confident while working. There is less stress and more comfort for everyone. Solar power has made the health center safer and more efficient. It also helps reduce costs, which means better services can be provided to poor patients.
The ₹1 crore grant will also be used to create new solar-powered community halls and install streetlights. These community halls will use solar energy for lighting, fans, and even small kitchen appliances during events. This will help the villagers host meetings, weddings, and festivals without worrying about electricity supply. The solar streetlights will brighten dark areas at night, making it safer to walk on village roads. Women, children, and elderly people will benefit the most. Safety and visibility are important, especially during the rainy season or emergencies. All these plans are designed to build a stronger and safer village.
Government officers and energy experts have praised the efforts of Raja Khas. They say that the village has shown how community effort and government support can create big change. They believe that Raja Khas can now become a training center for nearby villages. Visitors from other districts will come to learn about solar energy. Workshops will be held to show how solar panels are installed, used, and maintained. This will help spread the message of clean energy across Himachal Pradesh and even to other states. Raja Khas will become a shining example for rural India in clean energy development.
Many environmental groups have also shown interest in Raja Khas. They believe that solar villages are the best way to protect nature. When people use less coal and diesel, air pollution goes down. Water sources remain clean, and the temperature of the planet does not rise too fast. Trees, animals, and humans all benefit from clean energy. The people of Raja Khas now understand that they are not only helping themselves but also saving the Earth. They feel proud and responsible. This change in thinking is very important for future generations and the overall health of the planet.
The Himachal Pradesh government is now planning to support more villages under the Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Officers said that each district will be encouraged to create at least one solar model village. These villages will receive special funds, training, and support. People who perform well will get awards and recognition. Raja Khas has started a movement, and it is just the beginning. With each new solar village, the state moves closer to full energy self-sufficiency. The dream is that one day, every home in Himachal Pradesh will have a solar panel and zero electricity bill every month.
Farmers in Raja Khas are also happy with the solar power system. They now use solar energy to run pumps, grinders, and even small cold storages. This helps them grow more crops and store them longer. Their income has increased because they can sell their produce fresh and in large quantities. The farmers say they now worry less about rising diesel prices and power shortages. Solar power gives them more control over their work. Some farmers are even planning to grow new crops that need regular irrigation because they now have reliable electricity all day long, even during summer months.
Local shopkeepers and small business owners are also benefiting. Grocery stores, salons, tailoring shops, and tea stalls now run on solar energy. They can stay open longer without worrying about power cuts. Their daily income has increased. They are saving money on electricity bills and using that money to expand their business. Some shops now have fridges, fans, and even computers, all powered by solar energy. This progress has improved the local economy. More people from nearby villages come to Raja Khas for shopping and services. Solar energy has helped the village grow not just in power but also in prosperity.
This change has also improved the social life of the people. With better electricity, they now enjoy watching television, using fans, and charging mobile phones easily. Children play video games, and families stay connected through the internet. Social functions and evening gatherings are more lively because of solar-powered lights. Women feel safer walking outside after sunset. Older people can rest better with proper lighting and fans. These small comforts make life better for everyone. The people of Raja Khas believe they are moving towards a better and more modern life without hurting the environment or depending on costly electricity sources.
In the future, the government wants to introduce battery storage in solar model villages like Raja Khas. Battery systems will store electricity during the day and provide power at night. This will make solar energy more reliable and useful. The government is also working on ways to connect extra solar power to the main power grid. If a village produces more power than it needs, it can sell that power to the state. This can give villagers extra income and help support the national power system. Raja Khas may soon take part in these advanced programs as well.
In conclusion, Raja Khas has made history by becoming Himachal Pradesh’s first solar model village. This was possible because of strong government support, people’s unity, and the success of the Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The village now enjoys clean, free, and regular electricity. Every part of life has improved—education, health, farming, business, and social life. The village has shown that rural areas can lead the way in clean energy. The journey of Raja Khas has inspired many others. It is not just a village—it is now a symbol of progress, sustainability, and self-reliance for the entire nation.