In the recent years, India has made
significant strides in providing electric power to its citizens through its
improved electricity infrastructure, across the nation. The enhanced generation
and distribution of electric power has impacted the life of people especially
those in rural and semi-urban areas through improved amenities. In view of the
pressing concern regarding climate change, there is also a need to shift
towards more sustainable form of energy like solar, wind, bio fuels, or
hydrogen. India is also at the forefront of the technological change with the
objective to meet the energy
demand for the economic development and improve the lives of people.  As part of this transformation, the government
has also launched the Go Electric
campaign with an aim to
spread awareness on the benefits of clean & safe electric cooking in India
along with e-mobility, With these positive developments, eCooking
has emerged as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option for the
Indian households. Recognizing the importance of eCooking, it has  also been integrated into Mission LiFE
(Lifestyle for Environment), a global environmental movement led by India.
Additionally, the government's Energy Transition Task Force proposed a viable
target of 25% of households using electricity for cooking by 2030.

The transition to eCooking has far-reaching
societal impacts, and will change the way we live in, besides  having potential for employment generation,
better human and planet health, the welfare of children, and women's
empowerment. First and foremost, transition to clean cooking using electric
energy will go a long way in protecting the health and lives of the 2.4 billion
people who suffer from the health and environmental impacts of existing cooking
practices. As cooking is typically a task that women engage in, the women and
children especially girls are disproportionately affected by traditional
cooking practices using biomass. There exists enough evidence based on study
and research  that, if electricity
replaces firewood or charcoal for cooking, the benefits of improved air
quality, improved health, saving in cooking time, cleaner kitchen and pots, and
less time on fuel collection are going to address the issues of women
empowerment in our society. Broadly, it is see that gender issues and gender
norms gets profoundly influenced both in short and long term from electric
cooking adoption in households.

As regards the impact in economic terms,
there have been many studies which show quite conclusively that a stronger
correlation exists between electricity use and wealth creation in rich as well
as relatively poor countries Moreover, the shift towards eCooking will trigger
creation of a adequate electrical distribution infrastructure, local production
value chain, a skilled workforce, and after sales and service network, all of
which has the potential to enhance economic growth. Ideally, a community can
benefit from energy access if it is affordable and is aware of its efficient
consumption. This can be enabled by suitable tariff designs.

In the Indian context, it's vital to consider
the role of eCooking in improving child development, particularly through
initiatives like Anganwadis. These centers, part of India's Integrated Child
Development Services (ICDS) program, play a crucial role in providing
healthcare, nutrition, and early childhood education for children under six
years old. In terms of children's welfare, eCooking play a crucial role in
creating a safer and healthier environment. Traditional cooking methods often
involve indoor air pollution, which poses significant health risks which can be
mitigated through eCooking. Additionally, the time saved by using efficient
eCooking methods allows parents to spend more quality time with their children,
fostering a positive family environment. Furthermore, eCooking contributes to
the conditioning and perspective building of children. Exposure to sustainable
practices and innovative technologies at an early age encourages a mindset of
environmental responsibility. Children growing up in households that prioritize
eCooking witness the importance of sustainable living, thus influencing their
perspectives on conservation and environmental stewardship. This conditioning
not only benefits individual families but also contributes to a broader
societal shift towards a more sustainable and eco-conscious future.

Energy Management Centre, the State Designated
Agency (SDA) of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)  in Kerala,
along with its Knowledge Partner Modern Energy Cooking Services in
India-Finovista, organized the first annual International Energy Festival
of Kerala (IEFK)  on February 7-9, 2023. The discussion provided great insights into the social impact and benefits of eCooking in our society. The wide ranging discussion touched upon multiple topics like Behavioral change, eCooking appliances and their impact on ground level institutions, the demand and supply gap, safety concerns and need for policy interventions. The expertise, experience, and knowledge of our esteemed panel added significant value to the discussions and inspired the audience to join the movement towards a sustainable cooking solutions.