Fired stove

As the owner of a small home catering unit, Veena Mishra, based in Panchkula, has found a way to cope with rising gas prices and uncertain fuel supplies.

“With global disruptions like the West Asia conflict affecting energy markets, I knew I had to find a more reliable and affordable option for daily cooking.

That’s when I shifted to a wood-fired stove designed for commercial use.

The stove has a built-in fan that lets me control the flame easily.

By increasing or reducing airflow, I can make the fire stronger or slower, depending on what I’m cooking.

It runs on almost any kind of biomass — wood pieces, coconut shells, small branches, and other natural fuels that are easy to find locally.

The best part is that the stove burns efficiently and is almost smokeless, so the kitchen stays clean and comfortable.

Since switching to it, I’ve saved a good amount of money on gas cylinders and removed the worry of sudden supply shortages.

For a small unit like mine, it has turned out to be a simple, practical solution,” explains Mishra.

Mishra adds that most people are dependent on LPG cylinders for everyday cooking, so she began exploring other options at home and started using an induction stove for many daily tasks such as boiling water, making tea, and cooking simple meals.

“It heats quickly and has become very convenient.

I have also been looking at biogas, which can be made from kitchen waste and animal dung and used like normal gas.

On sunny days, I try using a solar cooker, which slowly cooks food using only sunlight.

Using these methods has helped me reduce my dependence on gas cylinders and made me feel more prepared in case fuel supplies become uncertain.

It has also made my kitchen a little more eco-friendly,” says Mishra.

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh.

She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India.

Professional Profile
Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009.

Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions.

Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University.

She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news.

Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025)
Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture:
1.

Public Health & PGIMER
"PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx.

"Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare.

"Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area.

2.

Education & Institutional Governance
"Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms.

"Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking.

3.

Art, Culture & Heritage
"Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status.

"Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful."
Signature Style
Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care.

She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public.

Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions.

X (Twitter): @parul_express...

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