Climate change, it seems, is impacting small Indian towns in unusual ways. Even as world leaders gathered at Copenhagen last year to find ways to cut carbon emissions, Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh was already doing its bit to save the planet. The trader’s guild, Vidisha Vyapaar Mahasangh (VVM), held a camp recently to sell power saving CFL lamps at a 35% discount, instead of the usual power-guzzling filament incandescent lamps. Almost 4,500 CFL lamps worth Rs. 4 lakhs were sold during the two-day camp. Buoyed by the response, the VVM then held another camp in collaboration with the Vyapaar Mahasangh of the adjacent Ganj Basoda town. “This means fewer old filament bulbs and lower electricity use” says local MLA Vir Singh Raghuvanshi.

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Assumptions
100 W GLS being replaced with a 18 W CFL
No.of hrs of usage per day - 5 hrs
Per annum calculation days - 350
1unit(1 KWH ) cost of electricity - Rs 5 per KWH

Working
100 W GLs being replaced with a 18 W CFL
Savings per lamp = 82W
No.of hrs usage per day = 6 hrs
Therefore no of hrs usage per annum 2100 hrs ( 6*350 )
Therefore electricity saved per annum 172200 Whrs (82*2100)
Therefore electricity saved per annum 172.2 KWH
Therefore Amount in Rs saved per annum 861 Rs. (5*172.2)
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The trader’s guilds are encouraging CFL makers and dealers to set up shop at these camps and offer discounts. The traders set up the camps arrange publicity for CFL and complement the discount offered by CFL makers and dealers from their own funds. The movement is the brainchild of VVM president Rajesh Jain, who hit upon the idea of promoting VVM lamps after the monthly power dues of his own grocery store more than halved from Rs. 1200 to Rs. 500/- per month when he replaced his old tube lights and filament bulbs. “earlier traders used to donate to temples and build dharamshalas but we think tackling contemporary problems is a better way to contribute to society.” He says.

Unlike some states which offer free replacement of filament bulbs with CFL lamps, the Madhya Pradesh Government has no subsidy component, Sanjay Shukla, the CMD of the Madhya Pradesh Central Region Power Distribution Company, says : “Such spontaneous initiatives from civil society have a far more enduring appeal and impact”. The company now plans to promote the use of solar water heaters and cheaper air-cooling. Small town India, it seems, is fast becoming a vital part of the battle against global warming.