Amulya Kumar N. Reddy (21 October 1930 - 7 May 2006) was Professor in the Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, and Convener of the Center for the Application of Science and Technology to Rural Areas (ASTRA), at the Indian Institute of Science, in addition he was Secretary, Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology. At the time of preparing this paper he was also Senior Visiting Research Scientist at the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies, Princeton University. He had very wide experience with energy studies in developing countries, ranging from policy issues to the very intensive, detailed studies of individual villages that he and his colleagues at ASTRA have carried out in South India.