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Manila Bulletin devider Life + Leisure devider Here's to a greener Diwali, powered by Liter of Light

Here's to a greener Diwali, powered by Liter of Light

At the Gateway of India, Illac Diaz's grassroots movement achieves new Guinness World Record on occasion of the Hindu festival of lights and the 75th anniversary of Philippines-India relations

Published Nov 22, 2024 06:35 pm

 

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Illac Diaz, founder and global director of Liter of Light, with collaborators 

 

 

Liter of Light has achieved a new Guinness World Record for the world’s largest display of solar-powered lamps. A global ambassador for UNESCO’s International Day of Light, the grassroots movement empowers traditional pottery artisans to transition to green livelihoods through its hand-built solar lamps.

 

The display, which was unveiled on Oct. 30 at the Gateway of India, is a pioneering event to green this year’s Diwali, one of the most significant festivals in the region. The festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It also coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and India.

 

The display consists of more than 2,000 solar lamps all built by hand using traditional ceramics crafted by hand by women cooperatives. The initiative is spearheaded by the united efforts of Liter of Light, through its India Chapter, Porsche India, and Porsche Middle East and Africa, in collaboration with Rotary Club of Bombay Juhu Beach. 

 

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The display consists of more than 2,000 solar lamps all built by hand using traditional ceramics crafted by hand by women cooperatives

 

Despite rapid modernization in recent decades, many in India still partially rely on kerosene lamps, which are primarily dangerous and also pollute the air they breathe. “Diwali is a beautiful celebration of the power of light over darkness,” says Illac Diaz, founder and global director of Liter of Light. “This project represents a pioneering approach to green the Festival of Lights. By shifting to green technologies like solar energy, we are empowering rural women with the skills and tools to become green technology agents. Through this initiative, they can access new opportunities for livelihood and income while preserving their traditional artisan heritage.”

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The initiative is spearheaded by the united efforts of Liter of Light, through its India Chapter, Porsche India, and Porsche Middle East and Africa, in collaboration with Rotary Club of Bombay Juhu Beach

The solar lamps built for the display will be distributed to families in India, where access to reliable electricity is limited

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