News Broadcasting
Qalam 2001 : Hasamukh Gandhi
A posh car is manoeuvring itself from the Kuchcha, narrow road in the countryside . Nikita, a young girl in her mid -twenties is driving the car. Suddenly the car hits a bump and Nikita curses the road and her father for compelling her to undertake this journey. In a Flashback ,she remembers the conversation with her mother.****
Mother consoles Nikita that it is indeed difficult to come to terms with such sudden and premature death of her father as Nikita loved him very much and although he did not approve of her life style , he also loved very much.
Mother admits that even for she was surprised with her father’s will. Father had left for Nikita the huge farmhouse in a far off village . Nikita hates village life. However , mother urges Nikita to visit j ust once 150 acres farmhouse that her father cultivated with love and affection. If she just does not like farmhouse , she might as well sell it off and come back to Mumbai.
Mother looks at Nikita meaningfully and slowly that it would also give her an oppurtunity to forget her long time over Rajeev and his betrayal . Camera takes a Close up of Nikita who nods thoughfully. (Flashback over)****
Nikita stops the car as there are three roads going in different directions. She swears to herself that she is going to sell off the bloody thing. She finds a village boy and asks for direction. The boy keeps looking at her car ****
Disturbed Nikita talks to herself that Rajeev never understood her love.{ Flashback.}****
Nikita is horrified to find Rajeev in bed with another girl. However, Rajeev is unapologetic and accuses Nikita that she is a modern girl and he knows that she must have had her share of fun but he never complained about it. Shocked Nikita manages to say that she never even think about another boy forget about sleeping with one. Rajeev refuses to believe her and makes fun of her. Shattered Nikita storms out of the room and slowly collapses on the floor. {Flashback over.l *****
Nikita wipes her tears and looks around as she finds the area absolutely deserted with no population or activities in sight. She feels lost. Suddenly her eyes lit up as she notices a signboard “NIKITA FARMS” with an arrow pointing the direction. *****
Nikita stops in front of a barbed-wire kuchcha gate with the board “Nikita Farms“ She comes out of the car and finds an old man running to her to open the gate- *****
The watchman regrets the death of her father and informs a surprised Nikita that he was expecting her as her father had told him that Nikita would visit the farmhouse after father’s death. Nikita nods slowly as she looks at the one-storied outhouse. *****
Nikita enters the bedroom and is surprised to see a photograph of her with her father and written words on the frame. “ I love you Nikita, daddy. ” Nikita s eyes fill with tears. *****
Nikita is sitting on the chair in the open space sipping tea and looking around. She is mesmerised with the natural beauty, the landscapes and the beautiful mountain range. Unconscious of herself she begins to breathe deeply and her muscles begin to relax. She hands over the cup back saying that a cup of tea never tested so much better in her life before. The watchman is bewildered.****
The night. On inquiry, the watchman explains that a young and very educated boy, some kind of expert on agriculture is the only other person in the vicinity. Nikita understands that the boy is &Bio-technologist.
Nikita looks at her father ‘s photo and murmurs that her father has created a heaven on earth as she looks out of the window and vast tantalizing darkness *****
A fresh looking Nikita walks towards the next farmhouse. Inside, she finds somebody sitting in a chair and reading a magazine, his back facing her. She calls out. The figure stands up and turns. Her face registers pleasant surprise.
A handsome boy in his late twenties in designer outfit is staring back at her…
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.
