News Broadcasting
Aaj Tak distribution head Amitabh Srivastava quits
NEW DELHI: Even as the Aroon Purie-controlled TV Today Network hunts for a news director for its two news channels following the departure of Uday Shankar, comes the information that the company’s distribution and network development head Amitabh Srivastava, too, has quit to seek greener pastures.
Amitabh Srivastava – Another one out the door
TV Today sources confirmed that Srivastava put in his papers a few days back. When contacted by indiantelevision.com, Srivastava said, “I have had an enriching experience at TV Today. But now I am looking for a larger role to play in a company and not get restricted to just network development.”
Though Srivastava did not specify his next destination, he admitted that there are “at least three offers” which he is evaluating before taking a final call.
However, broadcast and cable industry sources hinted that the offers that Srivastava is talking about might include those from Zee Telefilms and the Adhikaris-promoted Mumbai-headquartered SAB TV. It has also been indicated that the former TV Today man is looking at expanding his work sphere to marketing too.
Srivastava, who has worked in various media companies, including BBC World’s Indian operation, was part of the core team at TV Today, which helped in launching first Aaj Tak and then its English sibling Headlines Today.
With Srivastava’s departure, TV Today seems to be experiencing another round of desertions not restricted to just to the editorial division. Apart from Srivastava, another senior person to quit TV Today in recent times was news director Uday Shankar, who is headed to take up the editorship of Star News — contrary to reports in a certain section of the media — after taking a short break.
IStill, TV Today’s CMD Aroon Purie brushed aside allegations that the deluge of desertions is linked to the company’s HR policy. Talking to indiantelevision.com, Purie said, “We train people, nurture them, make them a big name and then others take them away by offering fancy packages.”
However, he admitted that, at the moment, the outflow of people from TV Today is higher than the inflow of fresh and new talent. “Where else do you have a situation where there are five to six news channels competing for more or less the same people?” Purie countered.
Pointing out that the TV job market would correct itself sooner than later, Purie added the company would find a replacement for Shankar “very soon.”
“There are some interesting candidates (for the news director’s post) around in the industry and we’ll inform you soon,” he said.
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.
