Finovista at SARAS AAJEEVIKA Mela 2026
On 25–26 February 2026, Finovista participated in the SARAS AAJEEVIKA Mela 2026 held in Gurugram, a national platform that brings together women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from across the country under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). Finovista’s participation focused on advancing conversations around clean cooking and sustainable livelihoods, while representing the work being undertaken through the RuTAGe Smart Village Center (RSVC), Dobhi, Gaya, Bihar.
For many households and micro-entrepreneurs, traditional cooking fuels such as firewood, coal, and cow dung continue to pose serious health risks, environmental challenges, and recurring financial burdens. Recognising this, Finovista used the SARAS AAJEEVIKA Mela as an opportunity to engage directly with SHG Didis and visitors on the potential of electric cooking (eCooking) as a clean, efficient, and livelihood-friendly alternative.
Training and Capacity Building
On the first day of the Mela, Finovista conducted an interactive training session with over 30 SHG Didis from multiple states. The session was designed to move from basic awareness to practical understanding, addressing everyday cooking practices as well as income-generating activities.
Participants were introduced to the health and environmental impacts of traditional fuels, the benefits of eCooking, and the range of eCooking technologies suitable for different cooking needs. The session was highly participatory, with Didis actively asking questions and engaging with the technologies based on their lived experiences.
eCooking Technologies Demonstrated at the Stall
As part of the training and live demonstrations, four eCooking technologies were showcased at the Finovista stall:
- Induction Cooktops
- Electric Pressure Cookers (EPCs)
- Flat Infrared Cooktops
- Concave Infrared Cooktops
Live demonstrations included guidance on cookware compatibility, safe operation, and best practices for everyday use, helping participants understand which technology best suits their cooking requirements.
Building Foundational Awareness
To ensure that all participants shared a common foundational understanding of clean cooking, Finovista also screened an introductory video by Dr. Binox, which explained clean cooking from the very basics. The video helped clarify what clean cooking means, why the transition away from traditional fuels is important, and how cleaner cooking solutions contribute to better health, safety, and overall well-being.
Learning from Field Experiences
The discussions were further enriched through video showcases from the field. These included examples of how SHG Didis are being trained not only in adopting eCooking technologies but also in basic repair and maintenance of devices, adding an important skill to their livelihood portfolio. Videos featuring street food vendor beneficiaries demonstrated how eCooking enables time savings, supports multitasking, and reduces dependence on LPG, leading to lower operating costs and improved income stability.
These real-world experiences resonated strongly with participants, with many showing particular curiosity towards concave infrared cooktops, asking detailed questions about their operation, energy consumption, and suitability for everyday cooking. Several participants also expressed a clear willingness to purchase concave infrared cooktops, citing flexibility in cookware use and perceived affordability.
Outreach and Engagement
Throughout the first day, more than 25 visitors engaged with the Finovista stall, learning about clean cooking technologies and their relevance for both household use and small enterprises. The second day of the Mela saw even greater engagement. As visitors explored SHG stalls on the final day, over 80 people stopped by the Finovista stall, curious to see and know about the eCooking devices. Conversations focused on understanding the health benefits of clean cooking, the power consumption of different devices to assess affordability, and how and where such technologies could be procured. The hands-on interactions helped address concerns, clarify misconceptions and build confidence among potential users.
Finovista’s engagement at SARAS AAJEEVIKA Mela 2026 reinforced a key insight: clean cooking adoption is most effective when awareness begins from the basics and is supported by direct interaction, practical demonstrations, and clear livelihood linkages. Platforms like SARAS provide an important space for cross-state learning and exposure, enabling women entrepreneurs to explore technologies that can improve health outcomes while strengthening economic opportunities.
Clean cooking is not just about changing technology—it is about improving quality of life, enhancing dignity, and creating sustainable pathways for women-led livelihoods. Finovista looks forward to continuing its collaboration with NRLM, State Rural Livelihoods Missions, and grassroots institutions to scale clean cooking awareness and adoption across communities.
