News Broadcasting
Industry cream turns up in strength for Tellys ’02
MUMBAI: It was a fitting tribute to the best of the small screen talents in the country.
In a dazzling function at the Tulip Star (formerly Juhu Centaur) Poolside in Mumbai on Friday evening, the best of channels, actors and TV shows along with television personalities who left a lasting impression on TV this year were feted with the best awards in the television industry – The Indian Telly Awards 2002.
In the presence of media luminaries like Dr Prannoy Roy, Peter Mukerjea and Yash Chopra, the awards, in their second year, felicitated the popular awards categories on Friday evening. It was perhaps appropriate that the hugely popular TV personalities Aman Verma and Nausheen (Kkusum) kicked off the proceedings with the announcement of the posthumous awards. Priya ‘Rajani’ Tendulkar and Dina Pathak, both stage and TV veterans in their own right passed away recently, were remembered fondly through audio visual clips and awards presented in their memory.
Meghna Naidu, who had enthralled audiences the earlier evening at the Indian Telly Trade and Technical Awards 2002 with her rendition of Kaliyon ka Chaman, regaled spectators with another scintillating performance before the next set of awards. The best sitcom of the year award was bagged by Office Office for Sabe TV.
The award for best comic shorts went to MTV’s Fully Faltoo. NDTV’s Reality Bites : LOC /DODA on Star News was adjudged the best current affairs programme, while the business show of the year award went to TV18’s India Business Hour on CNBC India.
The best music show of the year award was bestowed on B.A.G. Films’ Chalti ka Naam Antakshari on Star Plus. The best game show of the award was bagged by Synergy Productions’ Kaun Banega Crorepati on Star Plus.
After a whacky break with the Band of Boys with their medley of Meri Keened, You drive me crazy and Tirchee, anchors Verma and Nausheen presented the third set of awards including the best sports programme which went to Super Selector on ESPN / Star Sports. Derek O Brien’s Bournvita Quiz Contest on Zee TV bagged the best kids’ show of the year award. The best non fiction show of the year award was bagged by Kuch Yaadein Kuch Baatein, produced by Miditech for Star Gold.
The best thriller/horror show of the year award was won by Tijori Films’ Dial 100 on Sabe TV, while the best continuing TV show award was bagged by the popular Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi on Star Plus. Balaji Telefilms’ Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki bagged the best drama series award.
Aaj Tak won the best news channel award, while MTV won the best music channel award. Star Plus bagged the entertainment channel of the year award.
The TV actor in a comic role was bagged by Pankaj Kapur for Office Office, while the award for TV actress in a comic role was won by Reema for Tu Tu Main Main. Govind Namdeo won the award for TV actor in a negative role, while Shweta Kawatra bagged the TV actress in negative role.
Rajdeep Sardesai won the award for TV news anchor of the year award while Amitabh Bachchan, winner of last year’s personality of the year award, won the TV anchor of the year this year for KBC.
Aman Verma, the evening co-host, was also the winner of the TV personality of the year award, while Star Plus’ Tarun Katial bagged the TV programming executive of the year award. The TV CEO award was shared by Aaj Tak’s G Krishnan and Star India’s Peter Mukerjea.
Balaji Telefilms, makers of the most popular serials on TV today, walked away with the production house of the year award, while Umesh Padalkar got the award for the TV director of the year award.
TV show of the year was bagged by Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Smriti Malhotra Irani was adjudged the TV actress of the year, while the TV actor award was shared by Shivaji Satam for CID and Kiran Karmarkar for Kahaani….
Among the highlights of the evening came when Ashutosh Lagaan Gowariker presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to NDTV’s Dr Roy. While accepting the award, Dr Roy, whose public appearances are extremely rare, said he felt truly privileged to be receiving it from someone who had bequeathed to the country a great work of cinema in Lagaan. Dr Roy also emphasised how invaluable to NDTV was the role of his wife Radhika Roy, who he referred to as a real source of strength and an “organisation builder.”
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.
