Just for the everyone's info, the standard Indian voltage was/is 220vac,50 htz...and the standard is to put the switches in the neutral side of the circuit...believe me, it will really rock you when you stand on damp ground in bare feet and touch the shell of a light bulb socket that is "switched" off!!!!!I can sort of agree with his plan to bring up the newbes on 24vDC...but then he really must let them have a taste( that good, mouth full of metal kind )of the real stuff...it's better to get it under 'controlled' conditions than when you are least expecting it!!!!
Good luck!!!!!
David
RPCV, India-100, 1970-1973 Panj Gran Kalan,Batinda Dist.,Punjab