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Anurag Thakur, Sachin Pilot, Sidharth Malhotra and other youth icons at NDTV’s Yuva Conclave
Mumbai: NDTV’s Yuva conclave brought together India’s youth icons on one stage, for special conversations about leveraging youth to foster change. Union minister Anurag Thakur led the power-packed line-up that included Congress leader Sachin Pilot and actor Sidharth Malhotra.
A special interaction and question and answer session with Anurag Thakur kicked off the daylong conclave.
What is it to work with prime minister Narendra Modi, the union minister was asked. “My boss, prime minister Narendra Modi, is the best. He is the strictest at work but kindest when it comes to citizens,” Thakur said, drawing loud applause.
“If you have a boss who hasn’t taken a single holiday in 23 years, even when his mother passed away, that is the type of commitment the PM has”.
India’s youth, the minister said, stands for “positive energy, inspiration, passion, and motivation”.
Thakur also spoke about 18kaVote, NDTV’s mission to make the youth – especially those who have just turned 18 and eligible to vote in their first election – aware of the need to vote.
Fielding a wide range of questions, the union information and broadcasting minister also spoke about what the opposition alleges is persecution by probe agencies, restrictions on media and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) report on the bleak job situation in India.
“The questions show you can ask anything to the minister on National TV. You may not be able to do so in Pakistan or Saudi Arabia. We still have a slavery mentality because we always depended on foreign ratings. We need to come out of it and trust organisations in our country,” he said.
Wrapping the session, the minister took a selfie with his young audience.
Later, Congress general secretary Sachin Pilot, who debuted as an MP at the age of 26, spoke about encouraging youth in politics.
Political parties prefer winnability over youth, and people were also inclined towards voting veterans and known players, Sachin Pilot noted, adding that a change in this thinking would take time.
Pilot also responded to a question on Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate and the row over objectionable comments on BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut posted on her handle.
“No one has the right to make personal attacks or character assassination, it is important to focus on issues,” said the former Rajasthan deputy chief minister.
Actor Sidharth Malhotra, our Yuva Yodha, said he believed mental health is a formidable challenge for the youth. Giving tips on handling stress, he said yoga helps. “Stress is something which is unavoidable. We are giving exams every Friday (movies releases). It never ends. It’s how you deal with it. You have to be in your lane and focus on yourself. Focusing on oneself is most important for success. Following my own path has worked. There is no point in having wild case scenarios,” he said.
“Focus is key. Yoga has helped me. It helps you centre.”
Alaya F, our actor disruptor, the daughter of actor Pooja Bedi and the granddaughter of another actor, Kabir Bedi, shared what she called her “privileged struggles” in making it in films. “Nepotism also has its limitations. It will get me into rooms. But then no one will give me movies just because of that. I was being tested for a year and half before I landed my first role,” she said.
NDTV Network’s revenue head Mandeep Singh commented “NDTV has been always known for its purposeful initiatives that disrupt the way news impacts lives of people and communities. Yuva is one such incredible initiative that makes its grand comeback.
YUVA embodies the idea of young people actively engaging in efforts to bring about positive transformations in their communities and beyond. It highlights the role of youth as catalysts for social, political, and environmental progress, using their voices, creativity, and energy to address pressing issues and advocate for meaningful change.
We wanted to celebrate this along with like-minded partner brands who saw huge potential in this endeavour.
We had Panasonic, Motorola, Rungta Steel, KP Foods, Sakarni, Canara Bank, HDRC Life, Rama University, and Solo Files backing us in this season of NDTV Yuva.
We will make this franchise far larger in times to come.”
Other highlights of the event included Gaurav Kapoor’s stand-up, and performances by musicians Akshay and IP Singh and Jasleen Royal.
A session on mental health saw an expert panel comprising Dr Amit Sen, Amrita Tripathi, Divija Bhasin, and Kairavi Bharat Ram discussing the challenges faced by the youth.
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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.
