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Jay Shah, Harmanpreet Kaur shine at CNN-News18 Indian of the Year
NEW DELHI: India celebrated its finest on 28 November as CNN-News18 hosted the 15th edition of its star-studded ‘Indian of the Year’ awards. Themed ‘India’s Invincible Icons’, the event honoured trailblazers whose courage, grit and vision have left an indelible mark on the nation.
This year’s winners read like a roll call of excellence. ICC chairman Jay Shah received the Outstanding Achievement Award for revolutionising Indian cricket, from introducing pay parity for women to launching the Women’s Premier League. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who led India to World Cup glory in 2025, was crowned Champion of the World. “Lifting the World Cup was a dream we cherished since childhood,” she said, praising Shah’s initiatives that transformed women’s cricket.
The awards also recognised feats of extraordinary courage and skill. Lt Cdr Roopa A and Lt Cdr Dilna K received the Youth Icon Award for completing the historic double-handed circumnavigation aboard INSV Tarini. Rauf Wani and Sajjad Ahmad Bhat won the Braveheart Indians Award for their heroic rescue efforts during the Pahalgam terror attack.
In sports, Suruchi Phogat added another ISSF World Cup gold to her collection, while Deepika TC’s Blind Women’s Cricket Team claimed the Special Inspiring Champions Award after their inaugural T20 World Cup triumph.
Cinema and social influence were celebrated too. Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, leads of the blockbuster Saiyaara, were named Gen Z Icons, and nutrition educator Revant Himatsingka took home the Influencer of the Year Award. Climate activist Aditya Mukarji, who has eliminated millions of single-use plastics from the hospitality sector, earned the Climate Warrior Award. Chhonzin Angmo, the first blind Indian woman to scale Mount Everest, was honoured as the Iconic Woman Achiever.
Baba Kalyani, chairman of Bharat Forge Limited, bagged the Business Award, and chef Vijay Kumar was recognised as Global Indian of the Year after winning the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef: New York State.
The Indian of the Year awards, regarded as the pinnacle of national recognition, have a long tradition of celebrating individuals who inspire millions. Past recipients include prime minister Narendra Modi, Shah Rukh Khan, Virat Kohli, Mary Kom, Kailash Satyarthi, and Deepika Padukone.
As the glittering evening drew to a close, it was clear that India’s 2025 icons were not just achievers, they were dreamers, doers, and trailblazers setting the stage for the nation’s next chapter.
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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.
