When Rajnish Jain and Rashmi Bharti arrived in Berinag, Uttarakhand they changed the region’s way of life through their nonprofit organization Avani Kumaon.

Through Avani Kumaon, they built a community on the principles of sustainability and local empowerment. They train local women in weaving and extracting natural dyes, and operate a 100% renewable solar and wind energy center that also recycles water and waste.

The organization’s center trains villagers in using solar energy for electrifying the region and various other purposes. All these initiatives have resulted in widespread local employment, encouraging the villagers not to move to cities to find jobs, but to stay in Berinag.

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