News Broadcasting
CNBC-TV18 launches “The Great Indian Freedom Fest” campaign to foster and encourage financial freedom in young Indians
Mumbai: CNBC-TV18, India’s leading English Business news brand launched ‘The Great Indian Freedom Fest’ campaign on Independence Day to promote the concept of financial freedom among young Indians. Through this initiative, CNBC-TV18 aims to foster a new generation of financially savvy individuals who understand the importance of not just savings but also investments and prudent money management. The Great Indian Freedom Fest kickstarted on 15 August and will continue well into September.
The campaign is aimed towards the country’s youth, especially students pursuing their post-graduation & management degrees, recent graduates, as well as first jobbers, to equip them with the knowledge, guidance and steps to take affirmative actions essential to achieve their financial goals in life. Under this initiative, CNBC-TV18 is collaborating with esteemed institutions such as NMIMS Bangalore, IBS Mumbai and more to extend its outreach and connect with the larger student community.
The Great Indian Freedom Fest will feature insightful discussions with visionary leaders who have achieved remarkable success in their fields while mastering the art of money management and wealth creation. For the Bengaluru chapter, startup mavens Jumbotail co-founder & CEO Karthik Venkateswaran and INSTAMOJO co-founder Akash Gehani along with CNBC-TV18’s Ritu Singh visited the NMIMS Bengaluru campus and interacted with the financially savvy generation of today. These luminaries shared their inspiring journeys, insights on success, and valuable advice on the steps towards financial freedom, as well as guided students through the intricacies of today’s investment landscape. Karthik Venkateswaran of Jumbotail emphasised the importance of investing in relationships to build successful ventures, whereas Akash Gehani of INSTAMOJO shared that discipline is the absolute key to success and it is about getting the small things right.
Commenting on the initiative, CNBC-TV18 managing editor Shereen Bhan said, “The concept of freedom has evolved significantly since the past few decades, extending beyond political liberation to encompass achieving personal goals and financial empowerment. Recognizing this shift, CNBC-TV18 as a trusted partner and investment ally is delighted to present ‘The Great Indian Freedom Fest.’ This interactive campaign aims to redefine freedom to align with the modern ambitions of achieving ‘Financial Freedom’, and guide the younger cohorts on their journey to successful money management, investments and overall financial independence.”
Network18 CEO business news Smriti Mehra said, “Empowering the young minds of India with financial knowledge is not just an initiative, it’s a commitment to shaping a more informed and prosperous future. Through ‘The Great Indian Freedom Fest,’ we’re lighting the path to financial literacy, guiding students towards economic independence one lesson at a time and ensuring that they all hold the torch of economic independence & informed decision-making.”
Catch the Bengaluru chapter on CNBC-TV18 & CNBC-TV18.com on Saturday, 26 August, 10.30 pm and Sunday, 27 August, 6.30 pm.
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.
