News Broadcasting
Star News’ ‘Ek Shahar…’ a look at state of Indian cities
MUMBAI: This summer, Star News is all set to launch two new shows – Ek Shahar Ho Sapno Ka and Fund kA Funda. While the former will launch on 2 May, the latter will premiere on 30 April at 9.30 pm.
Ek Shahar… will take a look at people’s aspirations towards making India a world-class destination and starts off with weighing Mumbai against Shanghai, a fine example of China’s exemplary progress in the economic arena.
The show aims to be an encouragement to fulfilling the Indian dream for world-class cities and takes an in-depth look into the basic issues of transport, housing, civic infrastructure, health, economic growth and related obstacles that stand in the way of fashioning Mumbai into a leading world city. It traces Shanghai’s genesis from a Mumbai-like city in the 1980s and its transformation into a commercial hub.
While Mumbai will face off with Shanghai on Ek Shahar Ho Sapno Ka from 2 May, audience responses have started pouring in via SMS and email from 25 April. Viewers will get a platform to voice their opinions on the hurdles that Mumbai currently faces and give suggestions on how Mumbai can stand up and be counted as a world-class city.
From 2 May all City 60 bulletins from Monday to Thursday, will feature a segment dedicated to Ek Shahar…, which will focus on one specific issue every week. The series will climax weekly in a grand half-hour live debate on the topic of that week every Friday, featuring prominent citizens and the common man of Mumbai.
This month-long series will conclude on 27 May.
Fund kA Funda, on the other hand, is an educative special on the world of mutual funds. Given the fact that a variety of instruments like mutual funds, PPF, debt, equities, bonds vie for the hard earned savings of an investor, the question for a traditional investor remains, “Where should I invest for a financially secure future?” Fund kA Funda will attempt to answer this question, providing the investor a guiding light into the world of mutual funds.
The show will also feature India’s foremost expert on mutual funds, Value Research founder and CEO Dhirendra Kumar. Apart from presenting his analysis of various funds and investment tips, Kumar will answer viewers’ queries through live call-ins in the course of the show.
The half hour show besides featuring a cover story will report the latest news on the various funds in the market, their latest ratings and showcase portfolio case studies. The repeat telecast will be on every Sunday at 5.30 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.
