News Broadcasting
Times Network launches ‘Tales of Valour’ Season 2; docu-series featuring gripping stories of bravery
Following a resounding success of the first season of ‘Tales of Valour’, an authoritative factual documentary series which presented the valiant stories of bravery by the Indian soldiers, Times Network, India’s premium broadcast Network, announces the second season of the docu-series. Featuring 13 exemplary heroic tales from the crucial battles India has fought since independence, Tales of Valour Season 2 chronicles the heroic stories of resilience and sacrifice of Indian soldiers. Curated and narrated by Maroof Raza, Consulting Editor, Times Network and one of India’s foremost military historian and strategic affairs expert, the 13-part series will telecast from November 28, 2020, Saturday at 7.00 pm & Sunday at 10.30 pm on TIMES NOW & TIMES NOW WORLD and Saturday at 8.30 pm & Sunday at 11:30 am on Mirror NOW.
Presenting a well-researched account of the crucial battles, the docu-series will bring a clear picture on the military history of independent India. Visually recreating the historic scenarios and circumstances using animation, Tales of Valour Season 2 captures actual locations of the battles, war memorials, reels of unseen archival footages and pictures of the wars. This includes footage of 7CAV tanks on the Zozila pass and images of the terrain and Jaswantgarh Memorial dedicated to the Battle of Nuranang, 17th Infantry Division Unit War log book from the Nathu La and Cho La clashes, audio of Air Vice Marshal Chandan Singh, who was instrumental in helicopter operations of 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh, narrating the events and much more.
Featuring the brave tales of valour of Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force officers, the documentary offers a glimpse into the mindsets and emotions of the times with anecdotes from senior officers, military historians and first person accounts including Brig Brar from 4 Dogra, who fought in Battle at Trijunction, Maj Gen PL Kher, who fought with the Chinese at the Gurung Hill, Brig Ravi Malhotra & Brig Jasbir Singh of Hodson's Horse, Lt Gen Ajai Singh of 17 Poona Horse, eye witness account by Col Attar Singh on Nathu La clash and the interviews of the veterans who participated in Navy Operation Trident (1971) as young officers.
A historically important and an essential viewing for every Indian citizen to understand and learn the supreme sacrifices made by the soldiers for our country, the documentary will shine light on battles such as Defence of Poonch and Zozilla (1948), Battle of Tithwal & Richhmar Gali (1948), Battle of Nuranang (1962) and Battle of Phillora & Chawinda (1965) amongst others.
Watch the epic series that features true tales of our brave heart soldiers, starting from November 28, 2020, Saturday at 7.00 pm & Sunday at 10.30 pm on TIMES NOW & TIMES NOW WORLD and Saturday at 8.30 pm & Sunday at 11:30 am on Mirror NOW.
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.
