Testimonials
Our collaboration with Gram Oorja has been invaluable for advancing research on the social impact of community-based mini-grids. Over two weeks of field research in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, Gram Oorja facilitated several site visits for a group of five researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), enabling us to collect critical data and connect with the right stakeholders. The organization’s commitment to supporting academic research is commendable, promoting impactful studies that address on-the-ground challenges. This partnership has also been enriching for our students, allowing them to witness first-hand the transformative effects of access to electricity in underserved communities.
Alessia Argiolas
Post Doctoral Researcher TUM Chair of Corporate Sustainability, TUM SEED Center Research Coordinator, Germany
Previously, we only practised farming during the monsoons, resulting in low yields. To make ends meet, we had to migrate to cities for labour, where the pay was minimal—around $1.5 to $2.5 per day for our family of 8. After the group-irrigation systems, we now cultivate groundnut and earn an additional $600 to $700 during the Rabi season alone from its sale. Additionally, we now grow okra, pumpkins, and beans for our consumption and earn extra income by selling the surplus.
Ambadas Bhoye
Small land-holding farmer, Tulyachapada, MH
At C-TARA, IIT Bombay, we focus on energy poverty and access, particularly in rural India. Our Energy Policy and Planning course emphasizes real-world exposure, and Gram Oorja has been instrumental in facilitating field visits to remote villages with solar minigrids. These visits provide students with invaluable insights into the impact of decentralized renewable energy on education, healthcare, and livelihoods, while also exposing them to the challenges of planning and operating off-grid systems. Through surveys and discussions, they assess the sustainability of these interventions. We deeply appreciate Gram Oorja’s commitment to community development and their invaluable support in shaping our students’ learning.
Anand B. Rao
Professor and Head, Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas (C-TARA) Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB)
It is very easy to discuss projects and issues with them and always a pleasant experience as they are partners in our journey of development. We are very happy that a lot of youth from our Palghar belt are now working full-time with Gram Oorja. With Gram Oorja’s technical expertise, we have been able to bring solar projects to new regions in Palghar.
Anil Dingore
Pragati Pratishthaan
We at TRIF enormously respect our partnership with Gram Oorja for working with rural communities in providing energy access for productive and consumptive purposes. Though we engage many vendors for supply of hardware and services, we haven’t experienced any other organization so sensitive and responsive towards community needs, professionally experienced and deeply engaged in such remote villages.
Ashok Kumar
Director, Transform Rural India Foundation (TRIF)
The solar installation at Gandhiji Health Development Centre was done by Gram Oorja in 2018. The system is functional till today in its full capacity. The professionalism, promptness of service and the response to any queries by the Gram Oorja team is excellent. The dealings and the interaction of the company with the client has been excellent. Representatives and employees of the company have been very pleasant and gentle. We are happy and satisfied with the service provided.
Father Joshy Antony N
Secretary, Claretain Educational Society Catholic Ashram, Jharkhand
We requested Gram Oorja to solar electrify eleven rural primary health centres in Nandurbar District of Maharashtra State and a 500 kWp solar plant for a milk processing project, in Osmanabad Dist. (Maharashtra State). Given the challenging nature of work in rural areas, Gram Oorja’s ability to commission projects successfully and in a time bound manner has been exemplary.
Jaisingh Dhumal
Ex-Head of Finance Technology Group, ICICI
Gram Oorja provided a well-organized and insightful tour of their community-owned mini-grids. We were impressed by the innovative technology and the skills imparted to communities for managing socio-economic and technical challenges. The long-term success and positive feedback from communities highlight the sustainability of these grids. Viva Gram Oorja!
Moruti Kao & Moeketsi Mpholo
Energy Research, Lesotho National University of Lesotho
Gram Oorja has been a steady partner for Tata Capital CSR projects over the past 7 years. The team has been instrumental in providing the right technical and social inputs to ensure that our CSR project, The Green Switch, successfully achieves its goals of providing clean and affordable electricity to 80+ hamlets in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. We thank the team for their continued support.
Neha Bhagtani
Assistant Vice President of CSR, TATA Capital
As an auto component manufacturer, the cost of electricity is a big expense for us. Gram Oorja explained to us solar and its working for our industry in very thorough fashion. They designed, installed and commissioned solar plants across three of our premises over the last three years. The quality of installation was good. The payback period for each system matched their initial projections, resulting in significant cost savings. They have always been a call away and have provided very good service at every time we have contacted them.
Mr. Sanjeev Sadhale
Owner, Auto-component manufacturing company
I have been running a dairy in our village for the last 20 years, I never thought dung would be so socially useful. It is a great revolution for us, and we are witnessing it.
Vishveshwar Sahi
Key Stakeholder, Harahi Biogas Cooking Grid
Wonderful experience passed at Gram Oorja as an intern ! The team does an incredible work to bring light, water and gas in the middle of Indian jungles. And the best part is that they do it with a lot of respect for communities. Mr. Anshuman's vision and determination bring Gram Oorja to a high level of expertise and quality of service. To me, this internship was very useful to understand all issues around energy scenario in rural context.
Yoann Suignard
Former Intern, France