Our story as electrical objects and appliances is naturally linked to electrification that, in the Indian context, is as interesting as it is challenging. The early foundations of this process can be attributed to a few visionary men such as Ardeshir Cursetjee who brought gaslight to Bombay, K. Sheshadri Iyer who ardently backed the Cauvery Power Scheme, and Jamsetjee Tata who envisaged the country’s immense hydropower potential.

Gaslight was introduced to India in the early decades of 1800. It was initially used to light streets and commercial enterprises, before illuminating homes.

The first demonstration of electricity took place in 1885 in Calcutta. But it was not before 1897, when Kilburn & Co. was given license, that electric lighting for public use was generated. Even then it was expensive and in the early years, Calcutta had just 708 subscribers.

Electricity became popular after 1937 once prices dropped to 2.5 annas per unit, lighting technology improved and electric appliances started entering the market. In the Nehruvian era, hydroelectric dams were championed as ‘temples of modern India’. In the 1960s, they provided up to half the total electric supply. Over the succeeding years however, power came to depend on non-renewable sources, as the country drilled into its abundant coal reserves.

Though India is the fifth largest electricity producing country today, nearly 80 million households are still not electrified. Amongst other policies, the Electricity (Amendment) Bill of 2014 focuses on increasing the country’s power potential by improving distribution and giving greater impetus to renewable energy.