News Broadcasting
NBF welcomes Supreme Court reprieve to Arnab Goswami
MUMBAI: The News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) has welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court to protect NBF president and Republic Media Network’s editor-in-chief and founder Arnab Goswami from arrest.
“It is a clear indication that truth will prevail and the faith in the judiciary is something we as a body always take pride in. There was an attempt to intimidate Arnab Goswami by filing more than 100 FIRs which hasn’t deterred him from performing his duty to his best of knowledge and the show will continue to raise issues which concern the common man and affect his livelihood,” NBF stated in its release.
"NBF is also pleased with the order that refused to place restraint or restrictions on the media, thus upholding the freedom of expression and press freedom," said, NBF secretary general R Jai Krishna.
"We wholeheartedly welcome the Supreme Court's verdict granting three weeks of interim protection and no coercive action against Arnab Goswami. The apex court ruling is a body blow to the Congress party's attempt at muzzling the freedom of the press in general and Republic TV in particular" said Riniki B. Sharma, chairperson and managing director, Pride East Entertainments
“It’s a great relief to see the country’s highest judiciary giving Arnab protection from arrest and it’s a welcome decision” said Fourth Dimension Media CEO Shankar B.
"This is a big victory for the media and the judiciary has once again saved the media from being intimidated from the politicians or governments. We stand by Arnab and believe he will come out stronger after this." said Sanjive Narain, founder, Prag News (Assam).
"Any form of physical attack, abuse or instigation for violence against a journalist should be condemned. Journalists are duty-bound to report on facts without fear. The freedom of the fourth estate is the basic tenet of any democratic society. Goswami’s attackers should be prosecuted as per the law and the authorities should ensure that the goons do not get away." said iTV Network founder Kartikeya Sharma.
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.
