Shelakewadi, a small village near Kolhapur in Maharashtra, has become a model for rural transformation — powered entirely by solar energy and led by a vision of gender equality. With around 500 residents and about 100 homes, the village united around sustainability, installing rooftop solar panels under the Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar Yojana and local support. Thanks to local contributions (₹5,000 per household) and prize money from green programs, they made each roof solar-powered.

Remarkably, every house is registered in a woman’s name — mother, sister, or daughter-in-law — and painted pink as a symbol of unity and respect. But the change runs deeper than roofs and paint: Shelakewadi has a 100 percent self-help group presence, an ISO-certified Anganwadi, and a digitised Gram Panchayat using QR-code systems. Water resilience comes from rainwater harvesting and smart “water ATM” systems, while homes use LEDs, and community buildings are energy-efficient.

Their spirit of collective action has earned them national recognition, from cleanliness awards to ISO certificates. Shelakewadi shows how sustainability and social equity — when rooted in local participation — can transform even the smallest places.