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RadioAsia2006 to celebrate 100 years of radio
MUMBAI: Radio broadcasters, communications academics and representatives of developmental agencies will celebrate the historic milestone of radio turning 100 years old at RadioAsia2006 in Singapore. The conference organisers have chosen”100 years of Radio: The Journey Ahead” as its theme.
RadioAsia 2006 aims to provide a focal point for the exchange of ideas and concepts on the future of radio, sharing of information on successes achieved, and to conduct business and network with industry peers.
The event is held as a partner-event to BroadcastAsia2006, the region’s premier International Multimedia and Entertainment Technology trade show in Asia, where industry players converge to experience and engage with the latest in content creation, management, delivery and education, states an official release. Most of the speakers and participants will be drawn from across Asia, but they expect many from the US and Europe as well.
In its second year, RadioAsia is organised by the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC), Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) in partnership with Singapore Exhibition Services (SES).
Last year’s RadioAsia event received staunch support from the industry – more than 100 delegates from 28 countries turned up at the Singapore Expo, with 40 speakers touching on diverse topics ranging from community and youth radio to digital broadcasting.
“Last year’s response to our call for papers was extremely encouraging, and this is an indication of the importance of having such an event in Asia”, says secretary-general of the ABU, David Astley.
Some new media proponents have tried to position radio as an old, dying medium, but the industry is going from strength to strength, embracing new media like Internet broadcasting, and more recently, ‘podcasting’.
“It is a pity that radio is not given more recognition. Radio is so widely accessible, and plays an important role in reaching out to communities. It is for this reason that the role of radio cannot be discounted despite the rise in popularity of other media. The annual RadioAsia2006 conference aims to address these issues and others by offering a common platform to network and exchange ideas,” offers secretary-general of AMIC, Indrajit Banerjee.
Next year’s event will be held from 21 – 23 June 2006, comprising of conferences and workshops. A half-day of workshops will be held on 20 June 2006, the release adds.
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.
