The video of the Himalayan village switching onto electricity reminds me of when my folks first got electric lighting. Previously we had gas lighting which was only in our main living / dining room. To light the mantle (which was the gas version of an electric bulb) required a chair to be placed next to our all purpose table. Dad would then climb up onto the higher perch of the table, reach up and gently pull on one of the two chains which hung and controlled the flow of gas to our lighting system. Then someone else in the room would light a paper strip either from the fire or a match. This burning ember was handed to dad who reached down from his perch to take it. Very carefully, he allowed the flame from the taper to ignite the gas flowing into the mantle desperate not to actually touch and damage this delicate item. Then with a "plop" the room would be filled with a soft yellow light accompanied by an equally soft but continious hissing noise. Dad would then adjust the lighting by pulling on one or other of the two chains. A brighter light was accompanied with a louder hissing noise and of course vice versa. When he was satisfied with the balance, he would dismount the table via the chair and another daily task had been completed. When evening came, turning off the gas light was an even more arduous procedure. Having pulled the correct chain to cut off the gas supply and extinguished the light, dad now had to negotiate the table dismount in total darkness or at best with the aid of candle. Then came the news that we were to be electrified. I was 13 years old and remember the day well. Workmen had been preparing for some time and here it was. Electric light. I stood by the doorway to our all purpose room and learned how to switch on. With a flick of my finger, the room was suddenly and absolutely filled with whatever a 60 watt bulb could produce. It was amazing. I flicked my finger again and the light did not gradually disappear as with gas. In an instant it was gone. Another finger flick and back came. Mum, dad, my two sisters and I each spent the day with this phenomenon. More than 70 years later, those lovely people in the Himalayan vilages are experiencing a similar excitement today.