India, Jan. 21 -- LUCKNOW Nearly eight decades after India's independence, a 'light of hope' dawned upon Gadariyapurwa, a small hamlet around 40km from Lucknow, when the first electric bulb flickered by electric current from government poles on Tuesday evening.

For the roughly 80 households in the village of around 550 population - home largely to Dalit and backward communities, along with a few Brahmin families -the flow of current to light up a single bulb carried a meaning far deeper than convenience. It signalled recognition, dignity and a long-denied connection to development, marking the end of a 78-year wait.

The moment was met with stunned silence, followed by applause and quiet tears.

Barely 8km from the district headquarters,...