India’s LPG cooking gas supply concerns have triggered a fresh online debate after a video surfaced showing a cooking method that uses only water instead of LPG. The clip features spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar explaining a technique that extracts hydrogen from water as fuel, potentially replacing gas cylinders. The video gained attention at a time when fuel supply chains in the Middle East are under strain, forcing India to prioritise LPG for household use and creating shortages for hotels and restaurants.Watch Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s water-based cooking fuel alternativeIn the video circulating online, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar introduces a new approach to cooking fuel and credits Mahesh ji for developing the method.
He says, “Mahesh ji ne ek naya cheez laaya hai. Paani se kaise coal jalaa sakte hain? Adhik aadha litre paani se.”
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According to the explanation shared in the video, the system uses a machine that separates hydrogen from water. The hydrogen is then used as fuel to burn coal, while oxygen is released into the air.
He further explains the process, saying, “Machine hydrogen ko oxygen se alag karegi.”
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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says the method could allow cooking without LPG cylinders for several months and will first be used at the ashram.
Claim of cleaner cooking and health benefitsIn the same video, he also speaks about health concerns linked to conventional LPG-based cooking.He says, “Jab hum roti uske upar sekte hain to vo kaali ho jaati hai. Isse cancer hota hai.”
According to the explanation in the video, traditional gas cylinders release carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide during burning. The water-based system, he claims, produces no carbon emissions and keeps the air cleaner.
He adds, “Hawa shuddh ho jaati hai.”
Plan to expand the idea to villagesThe initiative is backed by the Art of Living Foundation, the organisation founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in 1981 after he parted ways with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
In the video, he says the aim is to eventually bring the technology to villages across India so households can shift away from LPG cylinders.
He says, “To Indian economy ko boost milega. Sabko apne health ke liye accha khana milega.”
The idea, according to him, is to replace millions of gas cylinders with a fuel option that is cleaner and cheaper.
Video goes viral amid LPG supply worriesThe viral discussion comes as India’s LPG supply faces pressure from global tensions. The widening conflict in the Middle East has disrupted fuel routes, including those used to transport LPG.
India consumes about 31.3 million tonnes of LPG every year, with around 87% used in household kitchens and the rest by commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants.
About 62% of the country’s LPG demand is met through imports. A large share of these imports travels through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route. Recent attacks involving the United States and Israel on Iran, followed by Tehran’s retaliation, have shut this route, affecting shipments from suppliers such as Saudi Arabia.
As supplies tighten, the government has prioritised domestic LPG for households, leaving restaurants and hotels dealing with shortages. Against this backdrop, the video showing cooking with water has quickly caught the attention of social media users across India.
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