News Broadcasting
Celebrate Onam in MMTV colours!
Mumbai: As we kickstart Kerala’s festive season with the vibrant celebration of Onam, MMTV is set to captivate audiences with a stellar lineup across its three iconic brands: Mazhavil Manorama, manoramaMAX, and Manorama News.
Mazhavil Manorama is leading the festive charge with the prestigious ‘Mazhavil Entertainment Awards 2024’, an evening of sheer grandeur and entertainment. The star-studded onground event, featuring the iconic stars of Malayalam cinema is a guaranteed spectacle. Expect show-stopping performances, heartfelt moments, and a dazzling showcase of talent that will leave audiences spellbound.
For movie lovers, Mazhavil Manorama presents a dazzling array of World Television Premieres, including “Jai Ganesh,” “Mandakini,” “Pavi Care Taker,” Nadanna Sambhavam”, and more! Complementing these premieres is the Onam special mega cookery show, “Atham Pathu Ruchi”. Hosted by the celebrity singer Sithara Krishnakumar, Atham Pathu Ruchi is an onground cookery show in which celebrities travel across Kerala to capture the spirits of Onam cusines. Our beloved shows “Oru Chiri Iru Chiri Bumper Chiri” and “Udan Panam” will also have the festival special episodes. To further enrich the lineup, three new fiction series are set to launch, promising compelling storytelling that will delight our audiences.
On manoramaMAX, the excitement continues with an impressive selection of movies, featuring the premieres of “Mandakini,” “Nadanna Sambhavam,” and “Pavi Care Taker.” These movies cater to the diverse tastes and preferences of Malayalee audiences. Furthermore, a new web series with a stellar cast is also coming to keep viewers engaged with its gripping narrative.
Manorama News celebrates Onam with a unique blend of events and initiatives. ‘Onam Vipani’ is a special news program that delves into the vibrant Onam market, providing insights into everyday commodities and goods. Our ‘Pentharam’ initiative honours women entrepreneurs from humble backgrounds, spotlighting their inspiring journeys and contributions. Adding to the grandeur, the
‘Conclave 2024’, South India’s largest news conclave, will be a significant on-ground event fostering innovative discussions on a multitude of topics, enriching the festive celebrations with insightful conversations.
Join MMTV as we bring Onam celebrations to life across TV, digital platforms, and live events. Connect with us to maximize your brand’s exposure and reach a wide audience during this festive season!
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.
