Journalism of Courage
About 2 km inside a forest surrounding Sunabeda gram panchayat of Lakatipakana village in Odisha's Nabarangpur district, life rises and sets with the sun. (Source: Express photo by Neeraj Priyadarshi)
Watch Indian Express special video - Odisha village Nabrangpur without electricity
Lakatipakana is about 3 km from the nearest electricity line, 5 km from the nearest road, and separated from the rest of the world during heavy rains by a slush track that only the villagers can negotiate on the four bikes that they collectively own. (Source: Express photo by Neeraj Priyadarshi)
Watch Indian Express special video - Odisha village Nabrangpur without electricity
It’s where anything that requires a switch to start is a luxury, even the low intensity solar lights fired by iPad-sized panels that six of the 35 households have been able to afford — each costs Rs 2,300 and emits a dull glow for just about three hours. (Source: Express photo by Neeraj Priyadarshi)
Watch Indian Express special video - Odisha village Nabrangpur without electricity
One of the villagers stands outside his house with a bike that he collectively owns with some other villagers. (Source: Express photo by Neeraj Priyadarshi)
Watch Indian Express special video - Odisha village Nabrangpur without electricity
The sun begins to sink, and the mood in Lakatipakana drops. Four children perched on a low wall start reading their textbooks quickly, they have to finish soon. (Source: Express photo by Neeraj Priyadarshi)
Watch Indian Express special video - Odisha village Nabrangpur without electricity
Posing for the camera, these kids stand confused about how to pose or respond to the shutterbug. (Source: Express photo by Neeraj Priyadarshi)
Watch Indian Express special video - Odisha village Nabrangpur without electricity
As the sun sets, people of this village make sure to return to their homes at the earliest possible. (Source: Express photo by Neeraj Priyadarshi)
Watch Indian Express special video - Odisha village Nabrangpur without electricity
Night begins, and the first oil lamp in Lakatipakana comes alive at the home of Mangaraj Tadingi. (Source: Express photo by Neeraj Priyadarshi)
Watch Indian Express special video - Odisha village Nabrangpur without electricity
At the other end, a solar lamp glows in the home of Juleme Majhi, a 45-year-old widow. (Source: Express photo by Neeraj Priyadarshi)
Watch Indian Express special video - Odisha village Nabrangpur without electricity
The only house that is equally black inside is the one next to that of Juleme. (Source: Express photo by Neeraj Priyadarshi)
Watch Indian Express special video - Odisha village Nabrangpur without electricity
The last light goes out. The three dogs, a cat, a brood of hens and the snorting herd of cows grow quiet. (Source: Express photo by Neeraj Priyadarshi)
Watch Indian Express special video - Odisha village Nabrangpur without electricity
