New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke highly of Noor Jehan, an elderly woman who has been playing a stellar role in providing cheap power through renewable source to poor villagers in Uttar Pradesh.


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“Her (Noor Jehan) name itself implies giving light to the whole world,” the prime minister said in hi Mann ki Baat on Sunday.


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Lauding her for popularising the use of alternative solar energy in the off-grid villages of the state, PM Modi said “Noor Jehan from Kanpur is doing an unthinkable job by providing light to poor by using solar energy.”


She has formed a committee of women and set up a plant of solar energy lanterns, which she rents for the minimal charge of Rs.100,” he said.


”Noor Jehan is inspiring the whole world and giving light to the world,” he added.


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“The whole world is concerned about climate change and global warming. It's the responsibility of all that temperature of earth should not rise further. Dec 14 is International Conservation Day, we must conserve energy,” PM Modi said.


Solar power is an important alternative renewable source of energy, mainly for the remote off-grid areas. The state government has embarked on an ambitious programme for village electrification through solar power.


“A lot of women are involved in this activity. During the day time, we recharge the solar lanterns and at night we distribute them. At 5 pm everybody comes to take their solar lamps,” Noor Jehan said.


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Asked if she want any financial help from the government in expanding her venture, she said, “I will accept whatever the government give me, and surely I would like to expand it.”


“Slowly, the solar lanterns are becoming popular in our village and in the surrounding areas, people are coming to us for the lamps,” she told Zee News.


"I started working in other people's fields. It used to fetch me Rs 15 daily with which I took care of my family. We used to get to have a full meal only occasionally. But three years back my life changed when an NGO, which used to operate community radio in my village, provided me with a solar plate and rechargeable lamp," she told PTI.


Initially she used the lamp to light her home at night, but she started renting it out when she ran out of money for her children's studies.


Noor Jehen said said that she want to meet the PM and tell him more about her project.