Over 1.6 billion people in the world lack access to electricity; roughly 25 per cent are in India alone. For these people, life comes to a standstill after dusk.

Think of that figure and try to imagine what it might actually look like when you have one Facebook community with 400 million users!

Well, we can’t say that any institution haven’t taken any major initiative before to light up the lives of people living in complete darkness after sunset. But in India the Greenathon-2 campaign launched by NDTV and Toyota is a huge and humble initiative to provide electricity and light up villages. And yes, bringing smiles to millions. What’s more nicer is electricity will come from solar panels (courtesy project LaBL).

NDTV Toyota Greenathon 2

A solar lantern that can light up for 6-7 hours or a LED that can emit low level lights for upto 6-7 hours will in turn save 500-600 litres of kerosene usage, thereby mitigating about 1.5 tonnes of CO2 in the upcoming 10 years. Most importantly they will build thousands more IIS, IPS, engineers, doctors, or may be a few more NASA scientists or astronauts!

Last time when Greenathon-1 was launched, it managed to raise funds to solar power over 55 villages in India. From corporate houses to filmstars, everyone made an overwhelming response this year too during its two day (6-7 March, 2010) Greenathon-2 campaign that was brodcasted live at its sister channel NDTV Profit.

The main anchors, Vikram Chandra, Priyanka Chopra, Cyrus kept everyone updated about the progress. The campaign was backed by lots of initiatives that were taken like the there were bands that played across the country, a 100km run by Milind Soman, phone calls taken by film stars, tweets, chat sessions or live paintings that have been placed on Ebay for bidding; all to backup and support the noble campaign Greenathon-2.

Now lets look at the monetary game. As per the LaBL project:

Rs. 234 billion required to provide solar lanterns to 65 million rural households in India. The amount is less than half of total implied subsidy on kerosene consumption in the country.

The Greenathon-2 campaign has so far been able to raise Rs. 38,673,356, that’s close to Rs. 40 million or 155 villages! What else can you ask for more in a 2 day campaign?

Most importantly what else can be a better way to start off SmilePls.com which pledges to focus on initiatives (small or big) taken to bring smile on the face of a human being. Atleast you now know there will be people from across 155 villages in India who has started to smile!

To know more about this campaign and how you can contribute, please check http://green.ndtv.com/