Explaining the universally familiar term electricity as “The set of physical phenomena associated with the presence and motion of matter that has a property of electric charge” may not lead to either fascination or excitement on the part of virtually anybody nowadays, given that this most compelling source of energy is unarguably the most indispensable part of life of both urbanites and rustics. Historically, the first major breakthrough in electricity is accepted as: In 1831, when British scientist Michael Faraday (1791 – 1867) discovered the basic principles of generating electricity, by observing that it could be induced by moving magnets inside coils made of copper. The journey of electricity from being a mere intellectual curiosity for long to its present exalted status as the virtual heart of all devices of technology has witnessed landmark inventions that may cloud the invention of the ubiquitous electric light bulb by Thomas Edison (1847-1931) in 1878. The fields of electronics and radio (wireless) communication owe it to electricity in a measure that can never be reckoned adequately.

During the days until not too long ago the electric light bulbs used to be rated for their brightness with the term ‘candle-power’, with which present generation may not be aware. Also, terms such as watts, voltage, short circuit, horse power, direct current, single phase and so on may sound unfamiliar to lay people at large even in this modern age. The expression “Electricity is the best servant but a bad master” symbolises the extent of poor awareness about care and caution of using this source of energy.

Electrification across the country has been pursued by the government to the extent of reaching the modern resource to every village under the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana. However, the gap between its availability and requirement remains too yawning to be closed to zero level. A significant part of rural enterprises is still left without electric power, reportedly because the thrust is to provide the facility to rural households. By providing free electricity connection to rural households, the government has removed the hassles of accessing electric connection. The lot of urbanites with respect to dependence on electricity 24X7, particularly its uninterrupted supply, more so during peak hours, doesn’t need elaboration.

The phenomenon called electricity, produced by all known technologies, including solar, wind and waves shall be in glare not witnessed anytime before in human history. The resource with its sway on survival of human race itself is bound to become more elusive given the rise in human populations everywhere, even if all target sectors of the economy gear themselves to generate it more and use it frugally. Or else, the shock of its unavailability shall prove to be far more shocking than when one touches a live wire.