No power supply, but Layaps are already enjoying television facility. The one and only television set in Laya runs on solar battery. Our reporter, Pema Tshoki, who had been to Laya recently says that neighbourhood gather in the living room of Ap Passang Dorji every evening to watch TV. And they are mesmerised.
The one and only television set is connected to a set of batteries charged via solar power. And the dish antenna is fixed just outside the house, neatly surrounded by a fence.
Passang Dorji says it is his personal enthusiasm that made him buy a television set to provide entertainment facility in the locality. He says he could afford to buy his dream television set only after the government had legalised the sale of Cordyceps.
“Before we had no money to buy such luxury items, but once the government legalised and allowed us to collect Cordyceps, we were able to earn more cash,” he says, adding that they can earn about Nu. 50,000 annually.
Every evening, the villagers from the neighborhood gather at Ap Passang’s living room, with their families, to watch news and their favourite television soaps and serials. Most of them said, they prefer watching local national television for news and updates.
“Watching BBS is always a pleasure, as I am being well informed through the news. Even today Laya has been cut-off from the rest of the country with no electricity and roads, however, with the help of solar panel we are able to watch and it gives me joy,” says one of the residents.
As the television set runs on batteries charged with solar, they have to entirely depend on weather condition. Normally, fully charged battery run for 13 hours at stretch. However, during bad weather, the battery last for only a couple of hours.
