News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 revamp part two: ‘India 360’ & ‘The Crux’ launched
MUMBAI: With an aim to provide differentiated content to viewers, CNN-News18 recently initiated a revamp of its primetime with the launch of new shows – Face-Off At 9 at 9 PM and Viewpoint at 10 PM. Continuing with this process, the channel will unveil two more shows starting tonight at 8 PM with India 360 and The Crux at 8.30 PM. Anchored by the senior associate editor Arunoday Mukharji and the executive editor Anubha Bhonsle, respectively, the shows will add further to the channel’s primetime offering.
Hosted by Mukharji, India 360 will be a one-stop destination for the day’s top news stories. The 30-minute news bulletin will provide the viewer with non-stop news from India and around the world. Statistically rich and based on facts, the show will keep the viewers updated with all the latest news from the field of business, politics, sports, crime and entertainment. With an aim to focus on stories that have not been covered through the day, India 360 will present only news in a fast-paced, crisp and concise manner.
The Crux, anchored by award-winning journalist Bhonsle, will deep dive into a top story of the day through modern storytelling. With the help of high-quality reportage and a commitment to rigorously un-layer the stories, the show will have quick reactions from the guests on the story, sidestepping long and noisy discussions. The platform agnostic show will combine the strengths of both television news and social media, and will build on the channel’s commitment of immersive journalism.
Commenting on this, CNN-News18 managing editor Radhakrishnan Nair said, “I am very excited about all the changes that we are doing to our primetime programming. Our objective is to be the one-stop destination for views, discussions, credible opinions, day’s highlights or in-depth coverage. We are confident that with this programming line-up we would be able to achieve this objective.”
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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.
