News Broadcasting
Aaj Tak lines up mega programming fare for year end
MUMBAI: As the year draws to a close, special programming has been lined up by Aaj Tak, which will capture the essence of the year that was, and look into what the future has in store. Spanning over 30 and 31 December, the programming will have a mix of information, insight and entertainment.
Some of the he major segments comprising a mix of the serious, the satirical and humorous are as follows:
Sabse Tez – This 30-minutes programme would focus on the personalities from the fields of politics, sports, entertainment and business, who were in the limelight for all the right reasons. Using the quintessential by-line of the channel, the “sabse tez” personalities would be nominated on the basis of their intelligence as well as their ability to have done quickly the right thing at the right time. This will be aired on 30 December at 10:30 pm with a repeat telecast on 31 December at 9:30 am and 2:30 pm.
Kismat Aapki Cards Hamare – The two-hour live program would be Aaj Tak’s way of looking at the future and what all 2005 has in store for big personalities as well as our viewers. Astrologer Meenakshi, will be in the studios to present an in-depth and engrossing chat as to what the stars have to say about the future. The future of famous people like Sonia Gandhi, Shahrukh Khan, Anil Ambani, Sushmita Sen would be discussed as also the future of all the star signs. This will be aired on 31 December from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Socha Na Tha – The program would encapsulate some major events and controversies that happened in 2004 that no one had anticipated. The program would be done in a tongue-in-cheek manner with the right mix of humour, sarcasm and responsible news analysis. This will be aired on 31 December from 10 pm to 11 pm.
Agar Aisa Hota – This will be a half hour program hosted by comedian Jaspal Bhatti. As the name suggests, the program will try to vision how things would have been in case certain things would have worked out a certain way. For example actress Mallika Sherawat once said during the year that she should be made the Censor board chief. Also there are examples like, had Ambani been poor, how would they have fought, what would happen had Sonia been the prime minister? This will be aired on 31 December at 9:30 pm with a repeat telecast on 1 January at 9:30 am and 2:30 pm.
Khabar Matlab Aaj Tak – This show will highlight some of Aaj Tak’s major news breaking stories that had political or social fallouts. This show will run through the day. For example Miss India Laxmi’s crown was taken back after it was first reported on Aaj Tak that she is married; 30 Delhi Police officials were suspended after Aaj Tak caught these officials on camera taking bribes, Uma Bharati first lashed out against Pramod Mahajan in an exclusive interview to Aaj tak thereby leading to political fallouts that ultimately resulted in her ouster from the BJP. This will aired on 31 December throughout the day.
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.
