News Broadcasting
CNN IBN to recognise people working for ecological system
NEW DELHI: Even as the world gets ready to observe the World Environment Day early next month, the series Winning the Green Battle- Citizens for Earth is commencing on CNN-IBN to not just turn the spotlight on key ecological issues confronting the planet today but also highlight some green champions who are making a positive impact on the world around them.
This series will profile individuals who are turning the tide and winning the green battle by using modern day techniques and innovative technology to make the community safer and environmentally friendly, hence making the Earth a better place to live.
The special series will go on air from 31 May with stories on the news and will culminate with a half hour special on 5 June at 8.30 pm and repeat telecast on 6 June at 11.30 am and 9.30 pm.
Each of the individuals or organisations being featured on Winning the Green Battle- Citizens for Earth are green individuals in their own right who through one small idea or effort are showing ordinary people the way to go green. This series looks at eco-champions who are trying to restore the balance in our ecosystem with breakthrough concepts and new age ideas. Some of the crucial environmental issues which will be examined in this series include urban transport, garbage management, renewable energy, and urban biodiversity amongst others.
The award-winning series Citizens for Earth has been highlighting issues which the planet faces from the very people who inhabited it. While the first season of the series focus on some major hot spots that are under threat due to global warming, the second season profiled nation’s most endangered species and the brave men and women who were engaged in efforts to save them from the brink of extinction. In its third season this World Environment Day, the series will not only focus on vital environmental issues but also highlight some green champions who are making a positive impact on the world around them
Speaking about the new series, IBN18 Network editor in chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, “Winning the Green Battle-Citizens for Earth’ is a series that focuses on addressing various ecological problems and also to provide viable solutions thereby making the viewers more environmentally conscientious. Environmental degradation is a very real threat in today’s world and it is vital to raise awareness that how we can make a positive contribution towards improving the environment.”
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.
