News Broadcasting
Aaj Tak, India’s most trusted Channel presents the icon of trust & truth – Gandhi
MUMBAI: Aaj Tak, the nation’s No. 1 News Channel launches a unique series – ‘Satyagraha – 2014’ that draws inspiration from the Father of the Nation – Mahatma Gandhi. With the upcoming elections and the people’s verdict around the corner, claims and counter claims are making the political landscape cloudy for the voter. While the chaos is making the viewer lose patience on the bigger picture, Aaj Tak brings out an anchor in the rebirth of Mahatma Gandhi with this ground breaking series, ‘Satyagraha 2014’. The belief behind the show is that Gandhi Ji is alive in all and his message is constantly reminding people that truth should be the deciding factor in the fate of this year’s elections.
The series is directed by Sunil Manchanda, the ace bollywood Director & Producer who has films like Paa, Cheeni Kum and Tere Naam to his credit. The lead role of Gandhi ji is played by Surender Rajan an actor and composer who had prominent roles in films like The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002), Phas Gaye Re Obama (2010) and Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003).
Talking on the launch, Mr. Supriya Prasad, Managing Editor – Aaj Tak, said, “Aaj Tak is the No. 1 News Channel in the country and is also the most trusted TV Brand. The channel has been at the forefront with initiatives of social responsibility, be it in exposing corruption or on reducing crime in society and Satyagraha 2014 will be the pioneering show on New television with which we hope to bring out social change by bringing back values of non-violence and the pursuit of truth.” With Satyagraha 2014, the Mahatma comes back to real issues and real people. The first episode will be on the backdrop of the recent Muzaffarnagar riots where the Mahatma will be shown taking on elements that foster divisive politics. The episode delves into how Gandhi Ji shares his mantra for healing wounds and asks people to look into the future and come together beyond revenge.
This episode and the following episodes have an underlying message for people to walk into an all powerful path of truth and choosing what is right. The show captures the India that Ganhiji had dreamt of and how his message is relevant in today’s times.
Aaj Tak will be launching this show with the focus of reaching out to viewers across the nation and start a wave of social awakening where people will vote for the Truth and not be swayed by petty politics that has become the norm today. The challenges that the nation faces today are drastically disparate to the ones that Gandhi ji dealt with during India’s Independence. His ideals and his methods for resolving difficult national problems with his message of Peace and Nonviolence still remain relevant. Satyagraha – 2014 will put to test the relevance of Gandhi ji’s message in today’s times and gauge how effectively they can help the nation as we head towards the elections.
Satyagraha 2014 (Every Saturdays @8PM and Sundays @ 10 PM)
News Broadcasting
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.
