One week ago today, Gasa town was electrified. Gasa is the most remote dzongkag in Bhutan, and even now the town is most of a day’s walk from the nearest road. Until last week, they had lights and a community phone powered by solar panels – if the weather was good enough. In the last week, the townspeople have started using rice cookers and other hi-tech equipment.
Earlier this year, 6 remote towns were elavated to Gasa’s previous position, with solar panels providing power to a community communication centre with a phone, PC and internet.
Perhaps it won’t be much longer until even Lunana, the most remote part of the country, still 8 days walk from a road and covered in snow 8 months each year, has some interaction with the rest of the world.