NAME
Shelly Jarina Kerketta
TITLE
General Manager, Mlinda Charitable Trust
LOCATION
Kolkata, India
ABOUT
Shelly Jarina Kerketta is the General Manager of Mlinda Charitable Trust, where she leads the Clean Energy based Micro Enterprise Development project, bringing solar-powered mini-grids to remote villages across India. By providing consistent, clean energy, Shelly and her team are helping these communities establish sustainable businesses, improve agricultural productivity, and reduce dependency on harmful fuels like kerosene. Mlinda’s approach enhances income levels and supports healthier, more resilient communities.
MOTIVATIONS
“My inspiration to lead Mlinda’s Clean Energy-based Micro-Enterprise Development project stems from my deep commitment to address the intersecting challenges of poverty and climate change that Mlinda is tackling head-on. The organization’s approach to using renewable energy as a catalyst for rural development aligns strongly with my personal mission to drive sustainable, impactful change for under-resourced communities. I am motivated by Mlinda’s model, which not only provides reliable, clean energy but actively builds pathways for income growth, resilience, and empowerment among rural populations.
I want see each village we support become a hub of productive energy use, vibrant businesses, and empowered individuals equipped to innovate and lead within their communities. Through Mlinda, I am dedicated to establishing a legacy of environmental stewardship coupled with social and economic equity, making renewable energy a true vehicle for lasting transformation.”
IMPACTS
Before:
After:
CHALLENGES
Shelly and her team at Mlinda face challenges common to rural electrification, including high initial costs, community skepticism, and the need to create sustained demand for clean energy. Mlinda overcomes these by building partnerships with organizations like Jharkhand Rural Livelihood Promotion Society and banks, linking local farmers to markets, and helping communities adopt clean energy for both domestic and productive uses.
GOALS
Shelly’s long-term vision is to replicate Mlinda’s model across underdeveloped regions in India and globally, helping more rural communities access sustainable energy and economic opportunities. Future plans include setting up micro-enterprises for producing climate-smart products, like mustard oil, to boost local agriculture. By expanding the clean energy grid, Mlinda aims to support more income-generating activities and continue increasing household incomes in these communities.
SHELLEY’S ADVICE
“To empower rural communities through clean energy, it’s essential to go beyond energy access and build a comprehensive micro-enterprise ecosystem. Start by selecting products and services based on evidence and market demand—energy alone is only one part of the solution. Address structural barriers like access to finance, business skills, and markets to enable real economic growth. By embedding enterprise development skills in the community, we can drive diversification of the village economy and increase incomes. Clean energy then becomes a catalyst for sustainable production and consumption, while value addition using local raw materials promotes biodiversity and resource conservation.”
HOW YOU CAN HELP
According to Shelly, you can support Mlinda’s mission by:
“Help bring clean energy to rural communities, sparking sustainable economic growth. Your contribution enables us to install solar mini-grids, provide essential training, and foster eco-friendly enterprises that improve livelihoods and reduce CO2 emissions. You can make a difference by providing grants, donating, volunteering, or simply spreading the word about our work.”
CONTACT SHELLY
Meet Neal Spackman, a regenerative development visionary bringing transformative change to degraded landscapes and communities worldwide.
Through projects like the Al Baydha Project and Regenerative Seawater Agriculture (RSA), Neal is breathing life back into ecosystems while creating sustainable livelihoods.
Meet Gator Halpern, Co-founder and President of Coral Vita, who’s scaling coral restoration to combat ocean warming. By cultivating resilient corals in high-tech farms, Coral Vita restores damaged reefs in the Bahamas and beyond, safeguarding biodiversity and supporting local economies.
Meet Dr. Allen Hershkowitz, whose work is transforming how sports and culture can contribute to a more sustainable world. As the environmental adviser to the New York Yankees, NBA, and Broadway, Allen is helping iconic institutions engage millions in the climate conversation, setting new standards for environmental action in these influential spaces.
Meet Rajesh Shah, Managing Trustee of VIKAS Centre for Development, championing community-led climate resilience through the Great Green Wall of Gujarat. Rajesh’s initiative empowers marginalized communities to restore coastal ecosystems while creating sustainable livelihoods.
