By: Savi Chauhan, Communications Executive
Vatsala smiles while cooking on her Envirofit cookstove
Envirofit India recently disseminated 145 clean cookstoves in Bhor, Maharashtra, on behalf of the BNI Pune East, CHAMPS chapter. Vatsala is one of the program’s beneficiaries, this is her story.
All Vatsala has ever pictured when asked to think of a ‘cookstove’ is the traditional mitti-ka-chulha. These traditional mud and brick constructions have always been used to prepare food – both in the village where she grew up, and in the one she entered as a young bride.
There never was question of an alternative.
“I only realized there was another way when I saw (the Envirofit) team come to demonstrate cookstoves in our village,” Vatsala said. “It was the very first time I knew that the mitti-ka-chulha caused health issues, and could have caused my cataracts.”
Vatsala’s village is near the lush green fields that surround the Bhatghar Dam on the Yelwani River. Her pride in a keeping a spotless home is plain to see, and it belies the cataracts she has dealt with for over two years.
When we visit, the mouth-watering aroma of freshly prepared food fills the senses. Her husband, village sarpanch (headman) Ramchandra Konde, notices our expressions as he invites us in.
“Vatsala loves cooking,” Konde laughs. “And I love eating.” Vatsala nods in approval as he pats his stomach.
As sarpanch, Konde is responsible for development in the village. He was among the very first to notice the benefits of Envirofit’s clean cookstoves.
Vatsala picks up the story: “I didn’t realize when I was using the mitti-ka-chulha, just what the problem was at first.
“It was hurting my eyes and it happened over years. I have always used a traditional cookstove, from a very young age. I’ve done all my household domestic work on it, and used it to heat water to bathe.”
“I used to walk miles to collect wood each day, even in bad weather. If I didn’t go, there would be no food for my family, and as a mother I cannot stand that.”
Vatsala continued: “I was struggling to see well for a long time and my eyes were painful, red and itchy when cooking. We finally went to the doctor, who told me I had cataracts. I was operated on a few months ago. My eyesight is still weak after my operation, but I still do my best to keep a clean home and cook and feed my family. They are important to me.
“I used to walk miles to collect wood each day, even in bad weather. If I didn’t go, there would be no food for my family, and as a mother I cannot stand that.”
She pauses to stir the meal cooking in front of her, before adding: “I have used LPG, but it is very expensive and my father couldn’t afford it. So, the mitti-ka-chulha was often the only option we had.”
“The worst part of this for me,” says Konde, “was I wasn’t worried about its harmful effects at all. I thought all these problems – like redness in her eyes, coughing when she cooks – is absolutely normal. It didn’t need any extra care because that’s how I have seen my mother cooking all her life.”
“But not anymore,” Vatsala says with a smile lighting up her face. “I have a better cookstove to compare the traditional one with.
“Envirofit has made me realise that even a small change in the kitchen can make your life easy, happy and healthy. I really adore my cookstove.”
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