Mid-day Impact: Hearing, speech-impaired Sindhudurg couple gets electricity in their hut

The MSEDCL gifted Vasant and Vanita Dicholkar a meter board. Pic/Hanif Patel

An elderly hearing and speech impaired couple was elated to get electricity in their hut in the Tulas village of Sindhudurg district for the first time in 60 years. Vasant and Vanita Dicholkar live alone in their standalone old-fashioned hut deep inside the jungle. mid-day had reported about their plight in a report on Sunday.

The couple used to have their dinner by lamplight before getting power. Pic/Hanif Patel

They were grinning from ear to ear. Vasant was very happy to see Vanita switch on a light bulb," said the village sarpanch, Shankar Ghare.

MSEDCL staff gifted an electricity meter to the couple, said Ghare, adding, "The gram panchayat will gift five LED bulbs to the couple. The bulbs will illuminate every corner of the hut including the kitchen, hall and washroom."

MSEDCL's Executive Engineer Ramesh Lokare said, "We gave them training on switching the light bulb on and off for 15-20 minutes. They were very happy." "We have installed eight electric poles to connect the standalone hut which is located deep inside the jungle in Vengurla taluka. The MSEDCL has spent funds to connect the house with electricity," said the officer. Teacher Eknath Jankar, whose Facebook post highlighted the couple's plight, said, "I am very happy that one post by me helped them. We are now planning to connect their house to a road."

The elderly couple is childless and is being taken care of by their relative, Atul Nirulkar. Nirulkar said, "I was present when electricity reached their house. They were very happy. I am always worried about their safety, especially during monsoon. The electricity will help them feel much safer."

The sarpanch added that officials are also planning to arrange water supply. "We will start working on water connection after monsoon," Ghare said.