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BusinessWeek’s CEO Insights forum on 3 March
MUMBAI: “CEO Insights – Deepening Reform, embracing change: competing to win in global markets” an event organised by BusinessWeek Events in partnership with dnmStrategies, Atos Origin, InvestHK, Universitas 21 Global will be held at Mumbai’s Oberoi Hotels on 3 March 2003.
The keynote address will be delivered by Maharashtra’s minister for finance and planning Jayant R Patil and some of the other panelists include Singapore based dnmStrategies CKO Dr Chandru Rajam, FICCI adviser Vivek Bharati, Birla Brothers MD SK Birla, Mastek CMD Ashank Desai, I-Flex Solutions CEO Deepak Ghaisas, Nike South Asia manager Hemendra Jhaveri, O&M South Asia chairman and O&M India MD Ranjan Kapur, CRISIL MD R Ravimohan, Philips India CEO K Ramachandran amongst others.
The series for business leaders designed to address the challenges of managing in the vibrant, yet emerging, markets of Asia seems to be a promising one. The theme of this series – Deepening Reform, Embracing Change: Competing to Win in Global Markets – addresses the unique challenges facing companies in a region that has established itself firmly as the bridge between modern capital, technology and talent and the millions of people evolving into middle-class consumers.
This year’s agenda will focus on the turbulent political environment facing companies in South and Southeast Asia. In the continually unfolding aftermath of 9-11, executives struggle to make sense of the political imperatives and the implications they hold for business.
It will also focus on corporate governance, the area of debate which has only become increasingly murky over the past year. Does what is going on in America have any bearing on the reality in Asia? Well, some say No, but the captains of industry, could offer insights on the state of governance.
Furthermore, the forum will address other pressing questions such as: What is the impact of China, the juggernaut that appears of late to be eating every emerging economy’s lunch? Do you have a China strategy? What can we learn from companies that are meeting with success in that dynamic economy? Or take technology. Have you considered web services, the value propositions that are helping companies realize the true promise of the Internet, after the insanity of the dot-com era?
All of these issues have one thing in common: they baffle the average executive, but, whatever you do, don’t suffer in silence! Leadership is, after all, about empowering the right people with the right expertise, and giving them reason to function as experienced professionals. Well, that too just happens to be on the agenda at CEO Insights!
The philosophy behind CEO Insights is to create a truly interactive environment that maximizes dialogue, discussion and debate. Participants are encouraged to share their insights, raise questions, interact with speakers and get to know one another.
A number of carefully designed features make BusinessWeek conferences in Asia unique. These include: a talk-show format, a discussion panel in every session, the use of interactive polling devices, ample time for dialogue and conversation breaks and receptions for networking.
3 March 9 am – Navigating Whitewater: strategies for coping with political and economic uncertainty 0:45 am – The strategy trap: emphasizing formulation, ignoring execution
12:00 noon – Participants will have the opportunity to select a discussion group of their choice. Discussion leaders will share their professional and personal insights in the areas where they have made significant impact and facilitated change. Lunch will be served during the session.
a) The ROI challenge: Where is the interest in my IT investments?
b) Collaborative marketing: how corporations and customers co-create value
1:30 pm – CEO unplugged: leadership in an era of empowerment and excess!
3:15 pm – Looking to the future: a CEO’s guide to tomorrow’s technologies
4:30 pm – Enter the dragon: what the fastest growing economy means for you!
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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.
