Use of Local Language for eCooking
We are delighted to invite you to the 1st session of the Talk Series – Phase III on Transitioning to Modern Energy for Cooking. The topic for this session is “Use of Local Language for eCooking”. The session will be conducted virtually and is being organized by the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) Programme, through its India In-Country partner, Finovista with an aim to identify, discuss, and explore avenues to address the specific challenges in the global clean cooking sector.
About the Session
The use of local languages stands as a pivotal element in igniting consumer excitement and driving behavioral change. Similar to any emerging technology, the adoption of electric cooking necessitates consumer awareness. Incorporating local languages into consumer awareness materials and campaigns can yield substantial impacts. India, as per the 2011 Census, boasts a rich linguistic diversity, with more than 19,500 languages and dialects in use. Effective communication in vernacular languages can act as a catalyst for a smoother transition to cleaner and more efficient cooking methods. This, in turn, helps mitigate the environmental and health impacts associated with traditional cooking practices. By utilizing local languages, we ensure that information regarding the benefits, usage, and safety of electric cooking appliances reaches a broader audience, thus making these appliances more accessible and inclusive.
Moreover, when information about electric cooking is conveyed in the local language, it resonates deeply with people’s culinary traditions, rendering them more receptive to the idea of adopting electric appliances. This session would focus upon the current challenges and opportunities of creating communication in local languages, the impact on “Aspirational Value” for new technologies, successful examples in other consumer technologies, which could be adapted for electric cooking.
Background & About MECS Programme
MECS Programme is a UK Aid (FCDO) funded global research programme led by Loughborough University. By integrating modern energy cooking services into the planning for electricity access, quality, reliability, and sustainability, MECS hopes to leverage investment in renewable energies (both grid and off-grid) to address the clean cooking challenge. Globally, MECS is now well established as a prominent programme in the clean cooking domain and has also become a strong and active player in India. The programme is supporting India to emerge as a Global Hub for manufacturing clean cooking devices for domestic and international markets, aligned to the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India mission while focusing on the shift to modern energy cooking within India which is also one of the objectives of the GoElectric and LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) campaign launched by the Government of India.
The Talk Series has evolved into a crucial platform for promoting the adoption of modern energy for cooking. It has successfully united stakeholders from the clean cooking domain and related sectors to engage in discussions surrounding challenges, opportunities, and essential elements of the Modern Energy-based Clean Cooking Sector. The Talk series is thoughtfully structured in phases, with each phase consisting of 12 sessions. The talk series embarks successful completion of Phase I & II which comprised of 24 sessions altogether. This particular session marks First session of the Talk of Phase III.