News Broadcasting
Faye D’Souza launches news channel on Firework
MUMBAI: Now we know what firebrand journo Faye D’souza will be doing. She has partnered with short video content platform FireWork. A channel called Facts first with Faye has been launched.
Its focus: “Everything you need to know about what’s happening in the world. News like it should be done.”
The channel has already got 727 followers, and Faye has been posting videos of between 20-30 seconds each. And the stories cover a wide swathe of topics: Harry & Meghan’s Mexit, Transgenders in Census, Controversial Brazil President to visit India, India ranked 76 out of 82, Shah won’t withdraw CAA, India Dragging Global economy, Delhi under NSA, among many others.
Faye has been giving her unique take in the news clips. For instance: “Brazil’s president being the chief guest at the republic day parade, sends a signal that we are encouraging that kind of culture.”
The videos are simple and have her giving pieces to camera – shot probably with her phone – interspersed with graphics.
Faye has also been active on twitter. And she has been pretty brazen and fearless. Her response to a tweet posted by NDTV stating that Amit Shah has dared Rahul Gandhi, Mamta Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav to a public debate on Citizenship Act at rally in Lucknow went as follows: “Mr Home Minister. I respectfully volunteer to debate with you on the CAA. Just say when!”
Firework India CEO Sunil Nair said “Firework’s news segments with Faye D’Souza will be a gamechanger in the short format video category. This format of news is crafted keeping in mind the preferences of younger millennials between the age of 18 and 25, matching their fast-paced lifestyle and their need to consume content on the go in vertical format. Youngsters in this age group prefer quick news rather than extended television debates, and at the same time is a concerned and well-informed citizen. This is where Firework’s news format will be disruptive providing the point information without the repetitious and at times frivolous long format broadcast news. The current generation does not identify with many of the faces that have been on TV channels for a really long time, Faye helps news bridge the gap and talks directly to her audience in a way that they understand the news quickly”.
This will be a first of its kind interactive news that will enable real time interaction between Faye and her viewers, driving deeper engagement and participation. Initially Faye will post 4 news segments on weekdays and with a single segment on the weekends. Each segment will be a 30 second clip titled “Facts First with Faye”
Faye D’Souza said “News today offers anything but clarity of information. The youth in India are intelligent, opinionated and are looking for a source of news that gives them unbiased information in a short and crisp format that can be consumed “on the go”, 'Facts First with Faye’ will do just that. Firework is an innovative tech led platform that will help offer news and entertainment to the youth that prefers to ignore long drawn and unverified commentary”
Firework launched its video network in India in October 2019 and takes pride in its two- step moderation protocol. While its moderation is largely based on AI algorithms, its content also goes through careful human moderation. This will ensure that any content that is distributed is not only within the legal boundaries of India, but also filters content that may be discriminatory towards any section of the democracy.
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.
