Schneider Electric launches In-Diya

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In-Diya is a specially designed LED based lighting system that can operate on main supply and/or solar, and provides backup ranging from 8 - 15 hours for indoor applications, said the company.

Jean-Pascal Tricoire, President and CEO, Schneider Electric, said, "In-Diya earmarks a new phase for our continuing sustainable development programme BipBop. This innovative offer will play a key role in providing access to reliable lighting to 500 million people, thereby enabling them to take part in the inclusive growth story of India."

"In-Diya is an innovation by our engineers with the Indian R and D centre and we intend to take this offer to many parts of the world," he added.

In-Diya LED based Lighting System is available in nine different variants.

The basic model with 45 LEDs is available for Rs 550. It is powered by an external chargeable battery which can be rented from a battery charging station managed by a local entrepreneur.

The high-end variant is a 90 LED Solar Home Lighting System which is compatible with the electrical grid and is priced at Rs. 4500.


Bernard Golstein, Director Marketing and Alliances, Schneider Electric India, said, "In-Diya is the only available LED-based Lighting System which can fully illuminate a typical Indian rural house and provide 8 to 15 hours backup. Our unique R and D and manufacturing capabilities have been utilized to offer a high-quality product at an affordable price".

In addition to using Schneider Electric's network of 400 plus channel partners, the group will join hands with various Micro Finance Institutions, NGOs and specially trained Entrepreneurs to reach the rural masses.

Half of the net profit earned from sales of In-Diya in India will be put back into the Schneider Electric India Foundation to further the cause of BipBop, said the company.

By 2012, Schneider Electric India plans to provide vocational electrician training to 4,000 young unemployed school and college dropouts, and support 300 new entrepreneurs from the "Bottom of the Pyramid" to start their own business in electrical market.

Schneider Electric India Foundation is presently running 11 training centres in 6 states viz. Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Karnataka, Bihar and Delhi. Another 10 training centres will be opened during 2010.