CHEF SANJEEV KAPOOR HOSTED COOKING DEMONSTRATION AND 

LAUNCHED BEHAVIOR CHANGE CAMPAIGN AROUND CLEAN COOKING IN INDIA

The Clean Cooking Alliance along with Tata Trusts and other partners launched its pilot project of Alliance’s behavior change campaign at the Taj Land’s End Hotel, Mumbai on January 31st, 2019 from 03:30- 05:00 pm. 

The event commenced with a cooking demonstration using clean cooking solutions by Celebrity Chef Mr. Sanjeev Kapoor. The event not only featured a Q&A between Chef Sanjeev Kapoor and Alliance CEO Dymphna van der Lans, it also marked the launch of the Alliance’s behavior change campaigns in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Over the next six months, these campaigns will promote the use of cleaner, more modern stoves and fuels that can improve health, protect the climate and environment, empower women, and help families save time and money.

Over 789 million people in India comprising nearly 60 percent of the population depend on polluting, open fires or inefficient stoves to cook their food, harming health, the climate, and environment. The exposure to household air pollution from cooking is a leading risk factor for various diseases, especially amongst pregnant women and children.

This urgent need to tackle the deadly effects of household air pollution brought  together Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Infosys Co-founder Narayan Murthy, Clean Cooking Alliance CEO Dymphna van der Lansand other prominent leaders to raise awareness about the impacts of cooking over polluting open fires and inefficient stoves. These leaders highlighted the stark reality that household air pollution from cooking and heating contributes to the deaths of nearly half a million Indians every year, and disproportionately affects women and girls.

The Alliance  and Tata Trusts through their pilot projects in UP and Gujarat, aim to address millions of Indian women and their families, who are suffering from multiple health and lifestyle issues because of cooking over polluting, open fires or inefficient stoves. This behavior change program will encourage people shift to clean cooking solutions that are cleaner and equipped with more modern stoves and fuels to reduce pollution and health hazards.

   

During the event, Chef Sanjeev Kapoor also discussed with other participants how the Alliance, the India Leadership Council, and clean cooking businesses are trying to bring greater investment into this sector. He also facilitated a demonstration of the clean cooking technologies promoted by various companies and organizations to spread the message that clean cooking must be accessible to all.

Sanjeev Kapoor, Master Chef says “This platform was a great opportunity for me to exercise my social responsibilities and raise awareness about the harmful health, climate, environment, and gender impacts of cooking over polluting open fires and inefficient stoves. As a culinary expert and renowned chef, it becomes my responsibility to inspire millions of Indians and help CCA in creating a healthy and sustainable environment by opting for clean cooking devices”.

Narayan Murthy Co-founder of Infosys says “My siblings and I have watched our mother cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner using woodstove and the poor lady had to work very hard. If country like India has to redeem the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi, then India has to work on health, education, nutrition and clean energy including for cooking".

About the Clean Cooking Alliance- The Clean Cooking Alliance (the “Alliance”) works with a global network of partners to build an inclusive industry that makes clean cooking accessible to the three billion people who live each day without it. Established in 2010, the Alliance is driving consumer demand, building a pipeline of investible businesses, and fostering an enabling environment that allows the sector to thrive.

Benefits of clean cooking -Clean cooking transforms lives by improving health, protecting the climate and environment, and helping families save time and money.

About the India Leadership Council- Members of the Council are influential leaders, corporate CEOs, and heads of organizations from across India who have come together to raise awareness around cleaner, more modern stoves and fuels; attract investment; spur broader engagement from the private sector; and highlight India’s expertise in addressing the clean cooking issue. The financial and strategic support from India Leadership Council members enables the Alliance to accelerate efforts to achieve universal access to clean cooking solutions in India.