Rural households in India usually rely on lanterns for lighting. But the quality of a commonly used hurricane lantern is abysmal. It produces light equivalent to about one-tenth of that produced by a 60 watt (W) electric bulb. Another type of lantern in use -- the 'Petromax' -- produces light equivalent to a 100 W electric bulb. However, it is bulky, difficult to ignite and requires frequent cleaning of the nozzle. Now, the Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute, Phaltan, Maharashtra, has, developed an efficient pressurised multifuel lantern -- the 'Noorie'. This can run on kerosene, ethanol or diesel and has a self-cleaning nozzle. It is light, easy to ignite and produces light equivalent to that of a 100 W electric light bulb. Besides, it uses about 40 per cent less kerosene as compared to the existing Petromax lanterns. The Noorie lanterns can even be used as cooking stoves by removing the top cover and placing an utensil over the chimney.
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