News Broadcasting
Radio Mirchi presents ‘Diwali Specials’
MUMBAI: Delhi is in the jamboree mood and to heighten the diwali spirit, Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM has lined up an assortment of engaging programmes, offering ‘something special’ for all Delhites.
To kick off Radio Mirchi’s repertoire of the Diwali week, Hello Delhi and Bumper-to-Bumper, the morning and evening drive time shows, have an exciting lucky draw, Hotshot ki diwali hot hot, in place. All the listeners who call on these two shows will be the participants and up for grabs are attractive prizes. Adding up to the excitement, the station has roped in the Shah Rukh Khan as the Radio Mirchi RJ, who will interview the Don team in his Don style each day till 20 October on Hello Delhi. He would also chat up about his latest movie Don.
The listeners will also get an opportunity to win those desirable Oakley sunglasses, by answering simple questions based on the movie Don.
On the station’s celebrity chat show Khubsoorat the stars will share their Diwali plans with the listeners. This time round everyone can make their own Diwali decorations by learning it the right way from women who are experts in the craft on the show. RJ Anu will enlighten listeners on everything that is to do with Diwali, from shopping to organizing Diwali parties to what’s in – what’s out, and lots more.
On Bumper-to-Bumper RJ Naved will catch Delhi off guard with his pranks in Diwala per tadam te tudum. He will be out on the streets, in shops, offices, restaurants asking people – aap iss diwali kiska diwala nikalna chahte hai.
To add some Bollywood dhoom to the dhamaka season Radio Mirchi’s Total Filmi has come up with Bollywood ke bamb patakhh’, a special where Delhi will vote and devote crackling titles like ‘phuljhadi’, ‘anar’, ‘ladi’, ‘chakri’ etc to the bollywood stars.
Dr Love will be presented with a twist – Diwali per love bhi happy – this time around the callers will share their romantic love stories and set the mood for timeless Romeo Juliet saga.
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.
