News Broadcasting
News18 Lokmat rings in Ganeshotsav with grand 20 day Bappa Morya Re
MUMBAI: Ganpati fever swept across Maharashtra, and News18 Lokmat made sure viewers didn’t miss a beat. With its 20-day special line-up ‘Bappa Morya Re’, the state’s No.1 news channel transformed television screens into a window to Maharashtra’s most cherished festival.
The channel’s coverage spanned it all from the crafting of eco-friendly idols to the arrival of Bappa in every mohalla, from festive markets buzzing with preparations to kitchens where traditional modaks and delicacies were being perfected. Heartfelt stories of devotees sat alongside explorations of Ganesh Chaturthi’s cultural significance, giving audiences a holistic festive experience.
Adding extra sparkle was the ‘Bappa Morya Re’ Mandal Competition, which saw pandals across Maharashtra compete with creative themes, devotional flair, and socially relevant messages woven into their decorations. The competition captured the innovative spirit of mandals, blending tradition with contemporary relevance.
The celebrations weren’t confined to the streets. At News18 Lokmat’s own office, the channel created a festive hub where leaders and stars came together to seek Bappa’s blessings. The chief minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, and ministers including Uday Samant and Girish Mahajan joined the prayers. Adding a touch of glamour, film and TV personalities such as Mahesh Manjrekar, Siddharth Jadhav, Prasad Oak, Adinath Kothare, Sonali Khare, Milind Gunjaji, Lina Bhagwat, and Adesh Bandekar also turned up to celebrate.
The initiative was supported by a host of partners: Oxyrich (co-presenter), Pitambari Devbhakti, Reliance Industries Ltd, SBI (banking partner), Kirti Oil (celebration partner), Parasnath Speciality Clinic, Younity Energy, Society Tea, Senco Gold (jewellery partner), Brand Banao.AI, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, and JSW Neo Steel.
With its extensive statewide coverage, star-studded celebrations, and spirited mandal contests, News18 Lokmat’s ‘Bappa Morya Re’ once again proved why it’s synonymous with Ganeshotsav in Maharashtra blending devotion, festivity, and culture into one vibrant package.
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.
