News Broadcasting
ABP News unveils new season of ‘Pradhanmantri’
MUMBAI: India’s leading Hindi news channel, ABP News, has unveiled the second season of its highly-acclaimed show, Pradhanmantri. A show that promises to delve into the stories and intricacies of contemporary India is slated to premiere on 25 January, 2020.
With the fresh season, Pradhanmantri is all set to create television history with never-told-before reality-based stories in the news genre. Pradhanmantri Season II will be hosted by the internationally acclaimed director, producer, and actor, Mr. Shekhar Kapur. Mr. Kapur is
a visionary who works at the intersection of art, myth, and activism and will effectively bring in the same qualities to the new season of Pradhanmantri.
Talking about this new offering, ABP News Network CEO Avinash Pandey said, “We are extremely excited to present this show to the audience owing to its highly unique concept. Pradhanmantri Season II is sure to transcend all expectations of the viewers through comprehensive and compelling storytelling, backed by long, painstaking research. We at ABP want to go beyond the common perception of TV news as a speed news churner and create content that connects to the audience on a much more deeper and profound level. Pradhanmantri Season II is the epitome of such viewer-driven content.”
The show host Shekhar Kapur, said, “Ever since its inception, Pradhanmantri has held a special place in the heart of the viewers. The new season has been brought to the fore after identifying the pulse of the audience, with newer concepts and intriguing topics. Through the fresh season, we want to take the viewer through an entrancing journey of the Indian history and share with them– the old, the new and the
unexplored.”
The first season of Pradhanmantri, in 2013, was praised by the former Deputy Prime Minister of India, L.K. Advani. Mr. Advani mentioned the show in one of his speeches saying, it made him happy to see that the show delved into those ‘unexplored aspects of history that the common people were oblivious about.’
Furthermore, the show was also recommended by the leading online learning platform, Byju’s as a ‘tremendous source of knowledge.’ The show also amassed tremendous traction on YouTube with more than 32 million views.
The first season of Pradhanmantri depicted some of the most important incidents and developments that have shaped the destiny of independent India. The second season, on the other hand, will discuss the ideas which will give India its due place in the comity of great nations.
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.
