News Broadcasting
CNN to commemorate 9/11 anniversary with documentary ‘America Remembers’
MUMBAI:With the anniversary 9/11 close at hand, US news network CNN has announced a two part special America Remembers. The special comes under the programme band CNN Perspectives.
The first part of America Remembers airs Saturday 17 August at 4:30 pm. The second part airs on 24 August at the same time.
An official release informs that CNN – through the eyes and thoughts of its staff – will offer a vivid and personal account of that day and its aftermath in the show.
The CNN Perspectives documentary recounts the events of 9/11 through the use of the personal recollections of CNN production staff involved in covering the story including anchors, correspondents, executives, producers and camera people. The documentary also airs previously unseen footage of the devastation and destruction in New York and Washington, D.C. CNN staffers relate their immediate thoughts and reactions to the news of the plane crashes; and some even share their efforts to stay alive as they gathered the news says the release.
The first part offers viewers a glimpse into the hectic activity taking place in CNN’s newsroom as the planes crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon; plus replays the reactions from citizens and CNN employees in New York and Washington, D.C. as they witnessed their cities under attack. Viewers get an intricate look at US President George Bush’s immediate reactions and his actions in the hours that followed. The documentary gives an in-depth view into the US President’s flight around the country on Air Force One to ensure his safety and his addresses to the American people and the rest of the world.
In Part II, the documentary delves into the aftermath of the terror attacks. CNN anchors and correspondents retell the US government’s swift actions in calling upon global leaders for aid in the War Against Terrorism. The report also looks at the strange anthrax attacks in the US and the healing process for America amidst the state of fear that pervaded the American psyche. In addition, the documentary looks at the response from Afghanistan including those who sided with Al Qadea and the other Afghani civilians who welcomed freedom from the Taliban.
CNN Perspectives is a series of hard-hitting, news-focused documentaries. Each programme highlights controversial subjects through unique viewpoints and first-hand experiences. The series covers diverse newsworthy topics from all corners of the globe. Since its launch, the Perspectives series has won numerous awards and accolades for such documentaries as Saira Shah’s Beneath the Veil, which profiled life in Afghanistan under Taliban rule and Sorious Samura’s internationally acclaimed Cry Freetown, presenting the civil war atrocities in Samura’s native Sierra Leone.
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.
