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57% of global Indians believe India will overtake China as the Asian superpower: BBC World
NEW DELHI: In a survey of Global Indians, commissioned by BBC World, 57 per cent respondents feel India will overtake China in the next 10 years to be the next Asian superpower, while 55 per cent believe India can win a bid to hold the Olympics in the next 10 years. Another 60 per cent of the respondents believe that the poor in India will benefit from economic growth in the future.
The survey, undertaken by AC Nielsen for BBC World looks at understanding Global Indians and their move towards internationalism.
The BBC World survey targeted a universe of eight million people and the results uncovered four Global Indian sub-groups. The most influential sub-group is the Globizen – individuals with both strong international attitudes and behaviours.
The survey, unveiled yesterday in Delhi, looked at their media consumption, product and brand ownership, cultural uniqueness, international interests and what they believe are the biggest global issues.
The results showed that 35 per cent of Globizens live in Mumbai, 20 per cent in Hyderabad, 16 per cent New Delhi, nine per cent in Chennai, eight per cent in Kolkata and eight per cent in Bangalore.
Commenting on the new survey, BBC World head of research and planning Jeremy Nye said, “India is today the world’s most vibrant debating chamber. It has the most exciting and open news media, and a growing passion for international news. We believe that these unique characteristics make Global Indians of value not only to those in India, who are living through the change, but also to international decision-makers looking to understand it.”
The survey findings also revealed the following:
Globizens are positive about India with 66 per cent believing India can cope with domestic crises without receiving foreign aid and 71 per cent saying India is the best place to work in.
Globizens are cosmopolitan as 67 per cent said that they could live anywhere in the world, while 55 per cent believe they have more in common with people in the West. More than half the respondents, 53 per cent, feel that life in the big cities in India is comparable to other big cities around the world.
Globizens are environmentally conscious as 77 per cent are concerned about pollution and global warming and 74 per cent prefer environmentally safe products even if they cost more.
Globizens are keen users of international media as 92 per cent are followers of international news, and 90 per cent believe that to benchmark themselves professionally or personally, they need to look at the best in the world. BBC World reaches 42 per cent of Globizens each week and has the highest affinity among top 10 channels. 59 per cent of Globizens use the Internet.
The majority of Globizens are users of international products with 73 per cent agreeing that availability of international products has given consumers a better choice.
Globizens acknowledge that economic progress is their key goal for India to develop into a superpower, and rank education, population control and information technology as the most important contributing factors.
Interestingly, the Globizens also believe that India’s hard-working people are its most important assets, followed by natural resources and a vast base of intelligent people.
According to BBC World head of advertising sales India Seema Mohapatra adds, “This first of its kind survey will enable a better understanding of this new global citizen with a progressive mindset, international outlook and key influencers in their own right.”
Mohapatra feels the survey will be an important tool for advertisers and international marketers interested in targeting India’s most internationally minded adults, resulting in better targeting and focused media usage.
As the third part of surveying Global Indians, BBC World-AC Nielsen combine will interview people in big hotels of India.
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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.
