News Broadcasting
India TV Mega Conclave “Samvaad” Creates National Headlines
MUMBAI: “Samvaad ” the first Full Day Mega Conclave by India TV instituted to take stock of the Modi Government’s first two years in office, saw an enviable line-up of participants both from the ruling & the opposition benches.
While the response from the equally illustrious audience during the Live Event was thunderous to the passionate debates and the stock taking one on ones, the deliberations at the conclave made big headlines in the national media.
Most part of the show was hosted by India TV Chairman & Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Rajat Sharma himself. While a few discussions were moderated by India TV’s Senior News Anchors, Lyricist-Screenwriter and Ad-Guru Mr. Prasoon Joshi chipped in with his Poetic best while he also made valuable contributions during the politically charged discussions.
In his welcome address, Mr. Rajat Sharma outlined the performance of the ruling regime, their pre-poll promises, people’s expectations etc. while he also highlighted the opposition’s charges ranging from rising intolerance to vendetta politics etc.
A few amongst those who participated in “Samvaad” were, Union Ministers, Arun Jaitley, Smriti Irani, Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan along with BJP President Amit Shah, Yog Guru Swami Ramdev, Congess MP & actor Raj Babbar, Former Union Minister Salman Khurshid, AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi, BJP MP Subramanian Swamy, AAP Leader Kumar Vishwas, MP Maulana Mahmood Madani, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, JD(U) MP KC Tyagi.
Amongst the battery of well-known dignitaries who were also in attendance as audience included Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Congress Leaders Motilal Vora, Jagdish Tytler, Janardhan Dwivedi & Ahmed Patel, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Filmmakers Madhur Bhandarkar & Ashoke Pandit, Singer Malini Awasthi to name a few.
India TV Managing Director Ritu Dhawan on the huge success of “India TV Samvaad” said, “We are extremely satisfied not only because we have been able to again raise the bar for our industry peers in terms of top-notch participation & execution that all India TV Events are known for, but also because we have been able to create outstanding content for our viewers, what we always strive for.”
“Look forward to at least a couple more such initiatives soon.” She added.
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.
