Empowering rural India through clean energy and sustainable development Impact Makers: Shelly Jarina Kerketta

NAME

Shelly Jarina Kerketta

TITLE

General Manager, Mlinda Charitable Trust

LOCATION

Kolkata, India

ABOUT

Shelly Jarina Kerketta is the General Manager of Mlinda Charitable Trust, where she leads the Clean Energy based Micro Enterprise Development project, bringing solar-powered mini-grids to remote villages across India. By providing consistent, clean energy, Shelly and her team are helping these communities establish sustainable businesses, improve agricultural productivity, and reduce dependency on harmful fuels like kerosene. Mlinda’s approach enhances income levels and supports healthier, more resilient communities.

MOTIVATIONS

“My inspiration to lead Mlinda’s Clean Energy-based Micro-Enterprise Development project stems from my deep commitment to address the intersecting challenges of poverty and climate change that Mlinda is tackling head-on. The organization’s approach to using renewable energy as a catalyst for rural development aligns strongly with my personal mission to drive sustainable, impactful change for under-resourced communities. I am motivated by Mlinda’s model, which not only provides reliable, clean energy but actively builds pathways for income growth, resilience, and empowerment among rural populations.

I want see each village we support become a hub of productive energy use, vibrant businesses, and empowered individuals equipped to innovate and lead within their communities. Through Mlinda, I am dedicated to establishing a legacy of environmental stewardship coupled with social and economic equity, making renewable energy a true vehicle for lasting transformation.”

IMPACTS

Before:

• Limited access to reliable electricity, with 44% of households relying on kerosene and experiencing 8-hour daily power shortages.

• Economic vulnerability, with 57% of households in the lowest income quintile and 98% of agricultural practices limited to mono-cropping.

• Environmental and health hazards, including 55 kg CO₂ emissions per household from kerosene use, and 16% reporting injuries related to kerosene.

After:

• Following Mlinda’s intervention, 98% of households now have access to reliable mini-grid electricity, reducing kerosene use by 89%.

• Household incomes have increased, with 49% reporting income growth and 69% using electricity for productive activities like irrigation.

• Improved environmental outcomes with significant CO₂ reduction, and health benefits as 84% of households report feeling safer and experiencing fewer injuries.

CHALLENGES

Shelly and her team at Mlinda face challenges common to rural electrification, including high initial costs, community skepticism, and the need to create sustained demand for clean energy. Mlinda overcomes these by building partnerships with organizations like Jharkhand Rural Livelihood Promotion Society and banks, linking local farmers to markets, and helping communities adopt clean energy for both domestic and productive uses.

GOALS

Shelly’s long-term vision is to replicate Mlinda’s model across underdeveloped regions in India and globally, helping more rural communities access sustainable energy and economic opportunities. Future plans include setting up micro-enterprises for producing climate-smart products, like mustard oil, to boost local agriculture. By expanding the clean energy grid, Mlinda aims to support more income-generating activities and continue increasing household incomes in these communities.

SHELLEY’S ADVICE

“To empower rural communities through clean energy, it’s essential to go beyond energy access and build a comprehensive micro-enterprise ecosystem. Start by selecting products and services based on evidence and market demand—energy alone is only one part of the solution. Address structural barriers like access to finance, business skills, and markets to enable real economic growth. By embedding enterprise development skills in the community, we can drive diversification of the village economy and increase incomes. Clean energy then becomes a catalyst for sustainable production and consumption, while value addition using local raw materials promotes biodiversity and resource conservation.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP

According to Shelly, you can support Mlinda’s mission by:

“Help bring clean energy to rural communities, sparking sustainable economic growth. Your contribution enables us to install solar mini-grids, provide essential training, and foster eco-friendly enterprises that improve livelihoods and reduce CO2 emissions. You can make a difference by providing grants, donating, volunteering, or simply spreading the word about our work.”

CONTACT SHELLY

• Website: https://mlinda.in/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mlinda-charitable-trust/