In the hills of Nagaland, a family has adapted to soaring cooking fuel prices by returning to traditional firewood stoves, highlighting how global energy disruptions are affecting households far from the center of international conflicts.
For 32-year-old Tovi Murru, life has changed dramatically over the past few months. Instead of simply turning on a gas stove, he now spends hours collecting firewood, cutting logs, and preparing meals for his family after liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) became increasingly scarce and expensive.
Daily Routine Changed by Fuel Shortages
Murru, a professional driver living in Kohima with his wife Atoshi Ayemi, their three-year-old daughter Azatina, and two pet dogs, said his family began relying on firewood earlier this year when LPG cylinders became difficult to obtain.
Cooking, once primarily managed by his wife, has now become his responsibility because preparing meals over an open fire requires significantly more physical effort.
To meet the family’s daily needs, Murru gathers dead wood from nearby forests before chopping it into fuel for a homemade cooking hearth he built himself.
Rising LPG Prices Strain Household Budget
Earning around $125 per month, Murru says purchasing cooking gas has become financially impossible.
According to the family, LPG cylinders available through unofficial markets now cost nearly one-quarter of his monthly income—more than double previous prices before global energy markets experienced sharp disruptions.
The family currently lives in employer-provided housing, a benefit Murru says has helped them avoid additional financial hardship during the ongoing rise in living costs.
Global Events Felt in Remote Communities
Although Kohima lies thousands of kilometers from the Middle East, international energy market disruptions have had a direct impact on households across India.
As one of the world’s largest crude oil importers, India relies heavily on overseas energy supplies. Rising oil prices have increased transportation costs and pushed up the price of LPG used by millions of homes across the country.
For families like the Murrus, those global market changes have translated into difficult daily adjustments and higher household expenses.
Traditional Cooking Brings New Challenges
Preparing meals over firewood has introduced new hardships beyond the additional workload.
Smoke from the open fire frequently fills the kitchen, causing irritation to the eyes of both adults and children. The intense heat generated by the fire also makes cooking physically demanding, especially during warmer weather.
Despite the challenges, the family continues preparing simple meals such as rice, boiled eggs, and broth using their handmade stove while an empty gas cylinder sits unused nearby.
Living Through Power Outages
In addition to fuel shortages, the household also experiences frequent evening power cuts.
Without reliable electricity, the family often depends on mobile phone flashlights to move around their home after dark and complete daily tasks.
Even with these difficulties, the family continues to adapt, sharing meals together while caring for their young daughter and pets.
A Story Reflecting Broader Economic Pressures
The experience of the Murru family reflects the wider impact of rising energy prices on ordinary households across India.
As fuel costs remain elevated, many families are adjusting their lifestyles, reviving traditional cooking methods and finding practical ways to manage increasing living expenses while hoping for greater stability in global energy markets.