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CNBC-TV18 and HSBC India champion gender equality with the second season of Future. Female. Forward
Mumbai: CNBC-TV18 organised an intimate chapter of Future. Female. Forward Season 2: The Leadership Circle – Mumbai Edition, presented by HSBC India. This significant initiative aims to bridge the gender gap and engage in impactful conversations to promote gender equality. The event was held at ITC Grand Central, Mumbai on April 18, 2024, and was attended by prominent figures from business, entrepreneurship, policy, entertainment, and politics.
The Leadership Circle aimed to go beyond traditional networking events by establishing a forum where decision-makers and influential leaders gathered to promote true parity. This chapter welcomed prominent female leaders to share their experiences, encouraging meaningful dialogue and effective collaboration.
The evening kickstarted with a welcome address by CNBC-TV18 managing editor Shereen Bhan. She said, “CNBC-TV18’s Future. Female. Forward. initiative has collected narratives of numerous women across various spheres of life. We have taken our campaign and conversations to global forums with the World Economic Forum in Davos. Our initiative has honoured women who have opened new doors of opportunity. Future. Female. Forward. focuses not just on maintaining women’s presence in the workplace, but also on reclaiming their individuality and promoting empowerment. The initiative brought together leaders from the private sector, governmental, and social sectors.”
The first fireside chat of the Leadership Circle’s Mumbai edition featured Masaba Gupta, fashion designer, entrepreneur, and actor in conversation with Shereen Bhan. Talking about the plans for House of Masaba, she said, “We will have a significantly larger retail footprint across India and globally. Currently, we operate around 17 stores across India, and we aim to increase this number to between 35 and 40 in the upcoming years. Additionally, we have exciting new categories and product extensions in the pipeline. We are gradually shifting towards the luxury market, recognizing the dynamic nature of today’s Indian market. I used to say, people loved heading West, finding joy in opening stores in New York or Dubai. But today, we’ve got it all right here in our Indian market.”
The evening moved ahead with an enriching panel discussion on the topic ‘Lessons in Leadership’ with Naiyya Saggi, co-founder, Good Glam Group & CEO, Good Community; Radhika Gupta, managing director & CEO, of Edelweiss Mutual Fund; Neera Nundy, partner & co-founder, Dasra; Neetu Kashiramka, managing director, VIP Industries Ltd; Deepali Goenka, managing director, Welspun Living Limited; Aparna Piramal Raje, writer & public speaker and Dr Aparna Bandodkar.
Reflecting on her journey, Edelweiss Mutual Fund MD & CEO Radhika Gupta stated, “A defining moment for me was when I walked onto the stage at the Jio Theater without informing my family or colleagues, ready to open up to 500 strangers about my experiences. Supported by the encouragement of a mentor, I was uncertain about the effect my words would have. By embracing my vulnerabilities, I discovered strength and built a greater sense of self-assurance. I realized that my flaws were not weaknesses but rather connections to others. Sharing my story turned into a beacon of hope for many who were on similar paths.”
VIP Industries Ltd managing director Neetu Kashiramka speaking about her journey of overcoming societal taboos said “I come from a conservative Marwadi family where even attending college was a challenge. Despite my father’s pressure to marry at 20, I was resolute about pursuing a career. It took tears and persistence to gain his approval. The next hurdle was finding a progressive partner who would respect and support my ambitions. With confidence, I approached my husband-to-be, laying out my expectations clearly. His unwavering support and sacrifices have been crucial to my career success. From starting as an assistant manager to becoming a vice president, I’ve achieved milestones beyond imagination. Each step, from K-11 to VIP Industries, has been driven by determination and a commitment to excellence.”
Good Community co-founder, Good Glam Group & CEO Naiyya Saggi said “At its core, we are fostering a community where both remarkable women and men unite. Growing up, my mother was an indomitable force who shattered stereotypes, ensuring that gender was never a barrier in my life. Entrepreneurship, particularly founding Baby Chakra, opened my eyes to the existing disparities. We encountered difficulties in persuading male investors, but we never gave up. I was recently elected to the governing council of the Mumbai Tech Entrepreneurs Association, where I advocate for increased female representation. As I prepare to become a mother for the second time, my journey is a testament to the power of persistence. Each challenge we overcome not only advances our cause but also sets the stage for others to follow. We aim to create a domino effect, where each success story motivates many more to embark on their own paths.”
Sohini Chattopadhyay, national-award-winning film critic, journalist, and author delivered a special author session about the growth of Women in history, specific women in sports.
The event’s concluding discussion session on partner perspectives on ‘Championing Diversity and Inclusion’ was led by Amitabh Malhotra, head of Global Banking of HSBC India. Talking about the diverse culture and various programs for women, he said, “At HSBC, our dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion extends beyond individual stories to a collective effort. Our ‘Power to Her’ initiative, aimed at reintegrating skilled women back into the workforce after career breaks, illustrates this commitment. Achieving an impressive 60 per cent conversion rate to full-time positions underscores our resolve to leverage diverse talent pools and cultivate upcoming leaders. Likewise, our ‘Ascent’ program empowers senior female leaders by enhancing their self-awareness and leadership capabilities, leading to more than 50 per cent advancement into new roles.”
CNBC-TV18’s Future. Female. Forward – The Women’s Collective was proudly presented by HSBC India. It is co-presented by HCLTech, and ITC, FedEx, Reliance supported the initiative as Associate Partners, with Industry Partner, FICCI.
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Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
