Khattapani receives electricity after 101 years

“Khattapani”, a village barely three kilometers from Mussoorie and named after a water spring received electricity after a struggle of 101 years. It was indeed an historic day for the villagers.
The first electric bulb was lit nearly 101 years ago at Mussoorie in 1907 by the British. A hundred years, later, the first bulb in the village was lit by Congress MLA Jot Singh Gunsola and Nagar Palika President OP Uniyal of the BJP. As the first bulb on the pole came on, there was a thunderous cheer from the local villagers. They had waited for this day for nearly a century. The exuberance was evident on the faces of the villagers and especially the children. Rita, a 12 year old girl who walks every day to school in Mussoorie said now she could study at night also. “Previously, we had to study under the lantern or the night lamp which was really difficult.”
The children were the happiest lot on the occasion. Raju, 6 year old, said “Now I can watch television, especially the cricket matches.”
Sita, a housewife, said, “I will get a washing machine soon, which would save lot of my time.”
The senior citizens of the village said that they would be able to use the electric heater now during winters.
Mr Katyar, a retired government official and resident of the village was in tears as the lights were switched on. He said, “A lot of struggle has gone into getting the electricity to this village.” He added that many letters were written to officials and politicians.