In India's mining region, women ignite hope with solar lights

Santosh Devi has become a beacon of hope in her small village in western India by learning to harness solar energy. She enrolled in a women-focused program aimed at providing skills to those whose husbands are incapacitated by mining-related illnesses. Her husband, bedridden with silicosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling fine silica dust, is one of many affected in Rajasthans extensive mining sector.

At 36, Santosh joined seven other women in a three-month solar engineering course at Barefoot College in Tilonia, located about two hours from her home in Beawar district. During the program, they were trained in installing solar panels, wiring systems, and assembling and maintaining solar lamps, enabling them to light homes and power small appliances such as fans and phone chargers.

With their husbands unable to work, this training has provided the women a means to support their families financially. Barefoot College has trained over 3,000 women from 96 countries since 1972, equipping rural women with practical skills to achieve independence in areas where employment is scarce and healthcare is limited.

Despite being illiterate, Santosh is determined to secure a better future for her four children, aged five to 20. She now earns a modest income through solar installations, aiming to eventually reach about $170 per month. Although leaving her family for the training was difficult, she feels the experience gave her confidence and courage. She proudly demonstrated the three homes where she had already installed photovoltaic systems.

The Harsh Reality of Mining Illness

Santoshs husband used to work cutting sandstone for export but now relies on expensive medication and a small state allowance of $16 a month. The family has had to borrow money, sell jewelry, and even mortgage her wedding necklace to make ends meet. Their story reflects the broader struggle in Rajasthans mining belt, where tens of thousands suffer from silicosis. In Ajmer district alone, there are an estimated 5,0006,000 cases. In Santoshs village of 400 households, 70 residents have been diagnosed with the disease.

Across Rajasthan, around 2.5 million miners extract sandstone, marble, and granite for minimal wages, with those using jackhammers earning slightly more but facing greater exposure to dangerous dust. Vinod Ram, whose wife also trained at Barefoot College, has battled silicosis for six years. Starting work at age 15 without protective gear, he now weighs just 45 kilograms (99 pounds) and finds medication only offers temporary relief.

Empowered Women Amid Ongoing Struggles

Champa Devi, another graduate of Barefoot College, could not write her own name before the program. She has since installed solar panels in four homes near her village, though payment remains pending. Currently, she earns around 300 rupees ($3.35) daily on construction sites, barely covering her husbands medical expenses of $80 per month. The couple lives in a single dimly lit room under the constant rumble of nearby mining activity.

There is no cure for silicosis, and most patients seek help only after several years of illness. State aid provides $2,310 upon diagnosis, with an additional $3,465 to families in case of death. Many miners continue working despite the risks, as seen with 55-year-old Sohan Lal, who suffers from severe respiratory symptoms but has no alternative to earn a living.

Through the dedication of women like Santosh and Champa, solar energy has become more than a source of lightit is a lifeline for families facing the harsh realities of mining-related illness, offering a path toward independence and hope.

Author's Analysis: Solar Empowerment in Rajasthan’s Mining Belt

The story of Santosh Devi highlights a critical intersection of gender empowerment and public health in rural India. By training in solar engineering at Barefoot College, she has gained practical skills that enable her to support her family financially, despite her husband's debilitating silicosis. This initiative demonstrates how targeted skill development can create sustainable livelihoods in regions where employment opportunities are scarce and healthcare is limited.

The broader context underscores the severity of mining-related illnesses in Rajasthan. Tens of thousands of miners, including Santosh’s husband, suffer from silicosis due to prolonged exposure to silica dust. State support exists but is minimal, forcing families to rely on personal sacrifices and community-led solutions. Women like Santosh and Champa are stepping into roles traditionally held by men, becoming essential economic contributors while also pioneering renewable energy adoption in their villages.

This empowerment through solar energy extends beyond financial relief. It provides practical infrastructure improvements—electricity for homes, charging for phones, and small appliances—that enhance quality of life. The program’s model, training rural women regardless of literacy, showcases the potential of inclusive, skill-based education to tackle both economic and social challenges simultaneously.

Ultimately, Santosh’s journey reflects a critical lesson: equipping marginalized communities with technical skills not only fosters independence but also addresses urgent social and health crises. Solar energy, in this case, is more than a technological solution—it is a catalyst for resilience, opportunity, and hope in a community grappling with systemic challenges.

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• In India's mining belt, women spark hope with solar lamps