The ripple effects of the growing conflict in the Middle East are being felt far beyond the region’s borders.
In Goa, the impact has reached the heart of every home, the kitchen. Long queues outside LPG gas agencies have become a common sight in several towns and villages.
LPG cylinders have been the backbone of the Goan kitchen so much so that the steady blue flame of the gas stove has been taken for granted. If the war persists, things could only get worse.
Now, families could be beginning to explore alternatives to keep their kitchens running. There has been a surge in the demand for induction cookers. However, rising electricity tariffs mean that relying solely on induction cooking could increase household power bills significantly.
In rural Goa, where traditions still shape daily life, households may turn to older methods of cooking like the use of firewood and kerosene stoves However it is not feasible to use firewood in modern flats. For restaurants and small eateries, charcoal offers a practical alternative.
Solar cookers are a viable alternative. However, Goan households may not be too familiar with solar cookers. In Goa where food and family are central to daily life, the humble cooking flame has become a symbol of resilience.
