News Broadcasting
BBC World News announces fifth Football connect tournament
MUMBAI: Returning for its highly anticipated 5th year, on the 30th of August ‘BBC World News Football Connect’ will bring together more than 300 associates from premier media agencies and brands to play five-a-side matches and compete for the BBC World News Football Connect 2019 trophy.
Since its launch in 2014, this event has offered Mumbai’s media professionals the unique opportunity to test their skills on the pitch while building valuable relationships with colleagues from across the industry, with the event attracting everyone from CEOs and Account Directors to media planners and buyers. Hosted by BBC World News, the day will showcase the BBC’s substantial global offering across both the World News channel and online at BBC.com, demonstrating the BBC’s commitment to the Indian market, which now holds the biggest BBC news global audience growing from 30 to 50 million peoplein the past year.
“We can’t wait to dig out our football boots and get back on the pitch for BBC World News Football Connect 2019. This initiative has gone from strength to strength since it was first launched five years ago, and we remain as committed as ever to engaging the Mumbai media community and showcasing our excellent sports coverage and other offerings across BBC World News, BBC.com, mobile app and other platforms. We know that there is a huge potential market in India, with BBC News now available in nine languages across the country, we are delighted to see growth as we are reaching new audiences,’said Vishal Bhatnagar, Sales Director, South Asia, at BBC Global News.
Moving this year to a bigger venue at Om Grounds Astro Turf Field at JVPD, Mumbai, the event promises to be better than ever with both the enduringly popular five-a-side matches and a VIP fan zone, where spectators can cheer the teams, participate in a foosball competition or test their teamwork skills in a host of activities, from building towers using 4ft Jenga-style blocks to games of air hockey and more. Guests will also be able to challenge their hosts from BBC World News to games with the opportunity of winning exclusive merchandise to take home.
Organisers remain committed to ensuring women have an opportunity to take up key positions on teams, and the ‘Golden Goal’ penalty shoot-out scheme will once again be a focal point of the event. At the start of each match, two women from every team will take part in a penalty shoot-out, acting either as goalkeeper or taking the all-important free kicks. In the event of a tie, the goals scored in the ‘Golden Goal’ penalty shoot-out will be added to the final score to determine the winning team.
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.
