Cooking without Gas- Chicken Soup for the Soul

My mother and friends asked me how is this possible- Cooking without Gas?! Truly, it’s a basic necessity in today’s world.

I don’t have a kitchen with piped gas, an electric oven and I’m not an advocate of only raw foods. Ordering in food or going out for every meal is also not an option. Given my health condition I have to follow some dietary rules if not very strict ones. And yet, here I am in a makeshift kitchen without any gas cylinder and trying to manage temporarily. I have only one single induction cooking stove today. Hardly enough for very elaborate cooking but these are unusual times.

I have decided to highlight a few issues which are larger than a gas cylinder transfer.

Warning ahead- this is an article about lack of care and victimization of vulnerable people. I continue even at the risk of my own life or health. Many of my friends are all well settled in their own homes and are probably in the process of letting their children fly off to colleges, schools or their first jobs. Will they be able to relate to this narrative?

When I left my previous apartment, it was under a dire threat of eviction. I was informed of the absolute necessity of sudden construction activities by next door neighbors followed by other new neighbors upstairs in two consecutive years. This was completely detrimental to my living and working in that flat.

Cooking without Gas – a dilemma

I lived following all the rules of the society diligently. The apartment was on the 9th floor of a building. The lift was out of service for almost 1 year. And then continuous hammering noises through the day every day of the week. Strangely none of that was there when I first moved into the complex 2 years ago.

I had to really shout out to be heard by anybody about the danger of my living situation. The ceiling overhead started cracking with complete disregard to all kinds of safety for residents.

Imagine if you were stranded in a condition like that and then there were goons sent to forcibly evict you. This is while you have paid your rent. And there is a high deposit amount that has been held up by the landlord. Same person who hasn’t responded to your requests to intervene.

There’s a repeated cycle of such construction activities undertaken each year for almost 6 months using the money paid by tenants. All this while not providing them with basic safety or amenities. And you kept paying rent and maintenance for hygienic living conditions in a condominium complex which is supposedly respectable.

Here’s the sad part- nobody spoke up against that abuse of a person who worked and lived peacefully. Even when violated repeatedly through such aggressive and life-threatening actions. Who spoke up for the safety, security and the peaceful existence of the tenant there? Nobody.

Cooking without Gas- who cares?

I’m writing this to share the background and context of utter helplessness which led me to leave. It was done in a hurried fashion in a period of less than 15 days. My 76-year-old anxiety ridden mother was sent forcibly by others to sit there. Apparently, that was for ensuring no other goons are sent inside my home.

Unfortunately, it meant me sitting and taking care of her requirements of eldercare in the absence of missing helpers who left frequently to handle their own household requirements. I did that instead of running around looking for another apartment or doing the necessary work required for shifting.

Sadly, there were a few neighbors in my previous condominium who observed everything. Yet did not speak up or help me despite reaching out several times to them for some intervention.

I left in such a hurry in a state of high anxiety and fear- for my life and that my ailing mother may actually die while in my care. Now I don’t even remember where some of the necessary documents were packed. These are required for undertaking so many other things needed to continue my life in a different place of residence.

The damage of goods in transit is nothing compared to the damage of trust and faith in the justice system. And a society of so-called respectable people. This actually happened with a grown-up woman in her middle age. I shudder to think of younger women outside of their parental homes.

Shifting and transition to new residence – a daunting task

Shifting of houses across cities is a very stressful thing. I will highlight some of the things which are required in the process. I learnt about some of them for the first time.

The context is in India, and the laws and requirements do differ from state to state or even across cities/towns.

1. You may have to do an update of your communication/residential address across all your banks
2. You need to submit the gas cylinder, regulator and passbook at the agency. You need to get an NOC for transfer of connection to a new agency (if you know which one). For whatever reasons, in my new city of residence, new connections for gas cylinder are not being allowed
3. You have to submit your WIFI or DTH instruments and get a new connection. Or transfer of existing connection from your service provider. Find out more before you leave.
4. In certain cities (like in my case), you may have to do a local police verification process. This was needed to get a new lease document signed. Apparently, there is definitely a suspicion that you are a terrorist. Or you may be from any other country or state and hence need to assure everyone
5. In the Indian context you need a helper. If you have a bigger family definitely you may need more than one. The roles are usually divided here. Some help only with cleaning. Some with kitchen work and some with elder/childcare, etc.
6. You have to find all the necessary places to shop for food, necessary equipment, laundry. You also need help for basic amenities – such as a carpenter, electrician and plumber

Shifting and transition to new residence – continued list

I am sharing a few other things which may not be top of mind for many.

1. Do take the time to walk around and feel more comfortable. If you like to keep to yourself – you may prefer not to venture out when it is dark. However, do not lock yourself up in fear. It may be further inferred that you are someone with wrong intentions.
2. Unfortunate lapses in memory or inability to produce any necessary documents in the interim period maybe distressing. Sometimes it will be used against you to build up a case of willful negligence or unstable mental health
3. Your own friends and family members will be unable to help you often. Especially when there is a lot of work involved some people are missing. Many will be unwell during a monsoon season which is famous for proliferation of bugs. They may be available later to party with you (Am I being sarcastic or cynical here? Perhaps not). Sometimes the timing is just not lucky or suitable for them. On the other hand, you may be lucky to get a lot of help from others. There are good people in the universe
4. Do find local healthcare providers nearby and chemist shops because you may need them. You have to take care of your health and perhaps elders which is bound to be affected
5. If you want to venture beyond to physical fitness, yoga, dance, music, art, gardening that is yet another task to be accomplished.
6. Your inability to flaunt that you are wealthier or poorer than the next-door neighbor is not an advantage or disadvantage. But any kind of perceived differences may prevent them from accepting you socially

Cooking without Gas- why cook?

I remember stating this repeatedly that change of residence is one of the most stressful things in a person’s life. I have been subjected to this 3 times already in 4 years.

How does one share more of the utter helplessness I feel with others who have been firmly rooted. Sometimes for years together and sitting in seats/thrones of judgment upon others. I felt almost terrorized with random statements of- this is necessary and that is unnecessary. Especially from people who actually just found a newcomer easy to bully.

I often find taking some time to do basic cooking to nurture yourself restorative. Even being able to prepare one nourishing meal a day may help to regain some confidence.

Since it is the rainy season, and many are down with the flu, I’m sharing a simple soup recipe. Perhaps ironic- at the end of this rather dry article. On a side note, drying clothes in this rainy season is a big challenge!

Cooking without Gas- Chicken Soup for the Soul

I am using a few pieces of chicken here and lots of veggies. I used chicken with bones to get a little flavourful nourishing broth. It’s an added task to take out the meat but it’s a good old school way to get fresh stock. You can also use stock cubes or buy broth from the supermarket if that’s available.

I recommend onions, garlic and ginger for this soup – but you can use your own choice of aromatics and spices.

Mostly, I’m concerned about the freshness of the ingredients and a hot meal now. Some of that soup taken at the end of a hard day is definitely something that I have found helpful.

My mother and brother are both not partial to chicken or soup. So sometimes, I understand why cooking in a separate kitchen is necessary for some people. It’s a simple act of self-care or survival when you feel really down and out. Care givers need a lot of care too. People tend to forget that- take care of yourself.

This is an easy recipe for you to keep for those tough rainy days. And definitely something you can make for an ailing loved one.

If you don’t feel like cooking or don’t have the strength to cook, you can order in some soup instead. Do that. It may just save your life.

Footnote

Letter for my first jobber friends

You can be brave or you can be scared. It’s alright

May you find your group and a strong bond of a soul tribe

Yes, I’m stressed and a little bit tired and messed

Even today I have moments of grave self doubt

If you thought the grey hairs helped me smile

Remember they also led me to shed many tears

In equal parts anxious or pained by my lack of ability

And yet the spirit wills me to walk a few more steps

Every day I ask myself did my life count in some way for others

What else could I have done or can do yet for you mothers?

Because I couldn’t really wear your shoes

I left with a simple realization that I didn’t have as much to lose

So the feelings you have for your children are yours alone

I can perhaps be a listener, an observer and sometimes an odd bone

One that you use to gnaw and chew. Later discard as you feel is due

What remained of these days of our lives?

Perhaps just a flavourful broth of yet another

Bubbling, whistling nourishing goodness in a meltingpot.

Melting Lemon Drop 26.07.2026