A Rajasthan IAS officer, Arti Dogra, has brought national attention to a compelling narrative of rural empowerment after sharing the journey of Papu Devi, a woman from Phalodi who now runs her own decentralised solar power plant under the central government’s PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) scheme.
First encountered by Dogra during the Prime Minister’s visit to Banswara, Devi has since developed the technical confidence to speak about grid load, grid sub-stations and electrical tripping in official settings, marking a transformation from traditional domestic roles to solar enterprise leadership.
The post on X included photos and video of Devi and has generated significant engagement online, drawing praise for its portrayal of grassroots empowerment through renewable energy. Meanwhile, Rajasthan continues to scale decentralised solar deployment, with the Chief Secretary urging discoms to accelerate PM-KUSUM implementation and targets for expanded capacities.
From Desert Sunlight to Social Empowerment
In her social media post, Dogra wrote, “Papu Devi from Phalodi runs her own PMKUSUM solar plant… Watching this shift, from household roles to enterprise in rural Rajasthan is a reminder of how quietly empowerment can take root.”
A video shared from an earlier interaction during the Prime Minister’s visit shows Devi articulating how the solar plant has given her financial independence and recognition, while a recent photo captures her confidently discussing technicalities in Dogra’s office.
The story resonates widely; the video has garnered thousands of views and comments praising how solar energy can expand livelihoods and empower rural women. Commenters noted that direct beneficiary feedback offers clearer insights into the real challenges and successes of policy implementation than typical bureaucratic reporting.
The significance of this narrative lies not just in an individual success story, but in what it represents: a growing shift in rural India where renewable energy schemes are catalysing new economic opportunities and social confidence, especially among women previously constrained by traditional roles.
Observers point out that Devi’s confidence in discussing grid operations reflects not only personal growth but a broader shift in how rural communities engage with technology and governance.
A Renewables Revolution in Rajasthan
The PM-KUSUM scheme, launched by the central government to promote decentralised solar power generation and provide farmers and rural producers with additional income streams, continues to expand rapidly across Rajasthan.
Under its Components A (decentralised grid-connected solar plants) and C (solarisation of agriculture pumps), the state has installed hundreds of decentralised solar plants and thousands of solar pumps, contributing to a broader renewable footprint that is transforming rural energy landscapes.
Rajasthan’s initiatives have achieved remarkable milestones: combined PM-KUSUM capacity in the state recently surpassed 2,000 MW, with significant contributions from both decentralised plants and solar-powered pumps.
This expansion is helping reduce agricultural power subsidy burdens, improve irrigation reliability, and generate steady income for rural households. Local officials, including Rajasthan’s Chief Secretary, have directed distribution companies to accelerate project implementation with ambitious targets of 3,000 MW of decentralised solar capacity by March 2026, signalling strong administrative backing for renewable adoption at the grassroots level.
Beyond energy generation, the ripple effects of PM-KUSUM are far-reaching. Reports show solar adoption is improving water access, reducing dependence on diesel for irrigation, and prompting local job creation in plant maintenance, repair services and allied services. Integrated solar development is also enabling greater economic stability for rural families and reducing energy costs for agriculture and households.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The story of Papu Devi is more than an uplifting human interest feature it’s a testament to the quiet but profound way sustainable development can unlock opportunity, dignity and agency for individuals and communities.
In a time when policy debates often centre on big numbers and high-level targets, stories like these remind us that the true impact of governance is measured in human confidence and economic inclusion.
