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BroadcastAsia2004 to be held in June in Singapore
MUMBAI: One of the major television events in the region BroadcastAsia2004 takes place at a time when region prepares itself for a wave of digitisation in the industry.
To be held at the Singapore Expo from 15-18 June, the event will see broadcasters and industry experts exploring the latest electronic media initiatives. These range from media content production to management and delivery.
In addition audio, computer graphics, cable and satellite companies will showcase their latest products and services.
An official release informs that competition and rapid technological advancements has led to the proliferation of new services such as cable television and Internet enabled television, which are based on digitisation. Convergence between the telecommunications, computer and broadcast industries is also occurring. These developments have triggered a massive transformation in the traditional broadcast industry as broadcasters and players seek to improve their services and competitive ability.
In recognition of this, BroadcastAsia2004 will, for the first time, include a Digital Cinema Day on 16 June. Facility visits to one of Eng Wahs digital cinemas at Suntec and movie screenings are just a few of the activities lined up on Digital Cinema Day. Visitors can also attend important talks at the Asian D-Cinema Summit on 16 June.
At BroadcastAsia, some companies will exhibit cutting edge digital cinema technologies. Here, cinema operators, distributors, production and post-production houses can find the right tools for their transition to digitization and realise the business benefits and efficiency of digitisation.
A key participant this year is Microsofts TV Group, which is upbeat about prospects in the region. Microsoft TV Group’s marketing director Ed Graczyk said, “BroadcastAsia is a key conference in the region and creates a conducive environment for us to network, form strategic alliances and find new markets to tap into. There is a lot of interest and excitement in the Asian market this year for our solutions and we are eager about the prospects of doing business with even more customers at BroadcastAsia this year.”
Another company that will make its presence felt is Miranda Asia. It provides video infrastructure solutions for the broadcast and audio visual markets.
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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.
