News Broadcasting
Sound Awake edition II set to rock December
MUMBAI: DNA Networks, the pioneers in mega live entertainment in India are back with the Second Edition of their well-received Electronic Music Property- SOUND AWAKE.
The festival will be held in Bangalore, Karnataka on December 1, 2013 and will see many spectacular live performances, including the likes of American Electro House DJ/ Producer Steve Aoki – one of the major headliners at the festival. Italian Electro-House & Dance –Punk Producer Congo Rock (best known for his hit single Babylon) and Jacob Plant
SOUND AWAKE, brings forth a single platform for performances by top national and international artistes and seeks to redefine EDM and change the perception of Electronic Dance Music in India.
Thoughts on Sound Awake, December 2013- Mr. T. Venkat Vardhan, MD, DNA Entertainment Networks on Sound Awake, Edition II:”In order to enhance the festival experience this time around, we have a headline act in Steve Aoki, who is one of the top DJs. He is also known for the signature performance & interaction with the live audience. We will once again have the Flea Markets from Goa which was a great success the first time for the fans.”
The influence of this genre of music on the audience has been tremendous over the last decade. DNA aspires to contribute to it and widen the reach of this thriving genre in India. The festival will feature 4 stages and is being held in collaboration with dance record label giants Ministry of Sound and HedKandi. In tandem with the world’s top dance record labels, DNA with SOUND AWAKE is set to bring the best of the world’s EDM to India.
The festival will be held at Supernova Arena & Convention Centre, Yelahanka, Airport Road, Bangalore-560064- the newest addition to other live entertainment areas in Bangalore.
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
Steve Aoki – Steve Aoki, the DJ/Producer, among many traits also founded his own label, Dim Mak Records, in 1996. The label has released music by other electro house artists such as Datsik, Infected Mushroom, Dada Life, Zeds Dead, his own collaboration with Tiesto, MSTRKRFT, The Bloody Beetroots, Felix Cartal and Mustard Pimp, as well as by Bloc Party, Battles, The Kills, The Gossip, Klaxons, Scanners, Whitey, and Mystery Jets to name a few. The label has released over 250 records so far. Aoki has remixed many artists and bands, including Jackson 5, Drake, Kanye West, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Mike Posner, All American Rejects, Refused, The Killers, Bassnectar, Lenny Kravitz, Bloc Party, Snoop Dogg, Robin Thicke, S.P.A., Kid Cudi, Chester French and Peaches. http://steveaoki.com/blog/bio
Congorock – Rocco Rampino, aka Congorock is an Italian electro-house and dance- punk producer who gained popularity with his track ‘ Babylon’ which was included in the Ministry of Sound Compilation 2010.Said to be the hottest fresh face in the international dance music scene, with his unique style and approach to music which has grabbed him a lot of attention.
Congorock has worked with some biggest names in the industry such as Steve Aoki, Travis Barker, Rihanna, Benny Banassi, Skrillex, Pitbull, Swedish House Mafia. His recent ventures have made his tracks reach new commercial heights.
Jacob Plant – At just 22, Jacob Plant has already become a household name in the dance music scene. Having worked with and remixed for some huge names in the industry such as Rihanna, Calvin Harris and Iggy Azalea, Jacob Plant has already carved a niche for himself as a respected producer.
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.
