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Balaji Telefims scrip gains 7% as Sensex crosses 3,500 mark
MUMBAI: The barometer 30-stock Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Sensex continued its ascent, crossed the 3,500 mark and ended at 3,583.06 on 27 June 2003 – the best close in 15 months. This represents an increase of 83.56 points as compared to the close of 3,499 on 20 June. The S&P CNX NSE Nifty also gained and ended the day at 1,125.55 as compared to 1,100.25 on 20 June.
Market observers believe fresh inflow of funds from FIIs towards the middle of the week is responsible for the indices touching new highs.
Balaji Telefilms gained around seven per cent on both the stock exchanges and witnessed higher volumes. Creative Eye and ETC Networks increased marginally. The other media scrips however registered small drops in their share prices as compared to the previous week.
Zee Telefilms opened the day (27 June) on the BSE at 91.05; registered a drop of 1.98 per cent to end the day at Rs 89.25 as compared to Rs 83.40 on 20 June). The volume of shares traded was around 2.76 million shares on 27 June.
On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the Zee Telefilm scrip opened the day at Rs 90.90; dipped by 1.54 per cent to end the day at Rs 89.50 as compared to Rs 83.45 on 20 June. The volume of shares traded was around 4.89 million shares
The Television Eighteen India scrip opened the day at Rs 90.75; dipped 2.20 per cent; ended the day at Rs 88.75 as compared to Rs 89.35 on the BSE on 20 June 2003. On the NSE, the scrip opened the day at Rs 90.55; dipped by 1.60 per cent to end the day at Rs 89.10 as compared to Rs 89 on 20 June 2003.
On the BSE, the Balaji Telefilms scrip opened the day (27 June 2003) at Rs 63.25; rose 7.19 per cent to end the day at Rs 67.80 as compared to Rs 61.65 on 20 June. The volume traded was 1.45 million shares.
On the NSE, the scrip opened the day at Rs 63; rose 7.62 per cent to end the day at Rs 67.80 as compared to Rs 61.65 on 20 June. The volume of shares traded was 4.75 million shares.
Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network (SABTNL) opened the day at Rs 76.45; dropped 0.92 per cent to end the day at Rs 75.75 as compared to Rs 74.09 on 20 June. On the NSE, the scrip opened the day at Rs 76.15; dropped 0.66 per cent and ended the day at Rs 75.65 as compared to Rs 76.84 on 20 June.
On the BSE, Cinevistaas’ opened the day at Rs 29.05; dropped 1.20 per cent; ended the day at Rs 28.70 as compared to Rs 29.30 on 20 June. On the NSE, the scrip opened at Rs 29; gained 1.03 per cent and ended at Rs 29.30 as compared to Rs 29.25 on 20 June.
Creative Eye opened the day at Rs 14.70; gained 1.02 per cent to end the day at Rs 14.85 as compared to Rs 13.85 on 20 June on the BSE. On the NSE, the scrip opened the day at Rs 14.60; gained 0.34 per cent to end the day at Rs 14.65 as compared to Rs 14 on 20 June.
The ETC Networks scrip opened the day at Rs 51.15; rose 0.88 per cent to end the day at Rs 51.60 as compard to Rs 51.05 on 20 June.
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.
