Ever wonder how a thoughtful internship gift turned into a life-changing journey? An engineer from Pune, Vishakha Chandhere, received one such present in her final year of college, A Solar Cooker.
Initially, it seemed like just another gadget, but as she started using it daily, she realized its potential to solve big problems like rising LPG costs and pollution.
This realization sparked her entrepreneurial journey, leading to the creation of OrjaBox in 2021. She quit her job and partnered with local manufacturers to produce solar cookers and other clean cooking products like biogas stoves and solar dehydrators to make solar cooking affordable and accessible.
Solar cookers are not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly. According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, they can save up to 40 LPG cylinders annually when used in community kitchens. They also reduce pollution and health risks caused by traditional cooking methods like burning biomass.
Vishakha conducts awareness campaigns for families, students, and farmers to promote solar cooking. “Cooking even one meal a day with solar energy can save money and reduce health risks,” she says. So far, her team has reached 2,000 people.
She now dreams of expanding her mission through a “Meals on Wheels” concept, a mobile kitchen that demonstrates clean cooking technologies nationwide.
But she’s facing challenges due to limited funds. She hopes corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds will support this project and bring solar cooking to more people. Here we would like to notify you that many home appliances can also run on solar energy.
Her story reminds us that small steps can lead to big change and inspires others to see the power of simple, sustainable solutions.
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