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NDTV & L’Oreal partner for Women of Worth 2016 Awards
MUMBAI: NDTV has partnered with L’Oréal Paris for the Women of Worth 2016 awards to recognise and celebrate unsung women from different categories.
The awards felicitates the achievements of ordinary women who have achieved extraordinary success in making a difference to the lives of others through their bravery, convictions and drive.
L’Oréal Paris brand ambassador Sonam Kapoor graced the occasion and unveiled the award trophy. Jury members across the eight different categories as well as the four nominees in each of the categories were unveiled.
Introduced by L’Oréal Paris India in 2012, the awards also epitomise the brand’s tagline ‘Because You’re Worth It.’
The jury for this year’s award includes personalities like Rajya Sabha member Anu Aga, Indian Angel Network and NASSCOM co-founder Saurabh Srivastava, Supreme Court senior advocate Dr. Pinky Anand, Wildlife Conservationsit Belinda Wright, Kathak danseuse Shovana Narayan, Centre for Social Research Dr. Ranjana Kumari and L’Oréal India VP marketing Manashi Guha.
The different categories are from an array of fields like sports, business and enterpreneuralship, literature, artistic, social impact, education, science and inventions.
L’Oréal Paris India VP marketing Manashi Guha said, “Women of Worth Awards is philanthropically a huge initiative undertaken by the brand to strongly support the extraordinary contribution made by Indian women in their respective fields. These awards are our small way to distinguish the achievements of such women who embody the spirit and values of the L’Oréal Paris brand. It is the ideal platform for us to salute them and a matter of pride for us to associate with NDTV, who also believes in empowering women.”
The campaign will end in March 2016 through a public voting system in conjunction with jury inputs. A transparent and well-structured voting system for the public will be set up to ensure that the most deserving nominees win. The nominees will be awarded the Women of Worth titles in Mumbai on 28 March, 2016.
Extending her support to the awards, L’Oréal Paris brand ambassador Sonam Kapoor said, “It’s an honor to be a part of this amazing campaign and the Women of Worth awards that is the brainchild of L’Oréal Paris. The brand has always celebrated the strong spirit of women, and these awards are a perfect way to admire and thank these accomplished women who represent the changing face of modern India. With their unwavering passion, determination, selfless contribution and ability to pursue their dreams, they are a true inspiration and I’m extremely happy to be in the presence of such great Women of Worth.”
The nominees have been shortlisted after an extensive research process while identifying each one’s key contribution in their respective fields. It took the panelists roughly three hours to decide on the nominees for each category.
NDTV CEO Vikram Chandra added, “Women empowerment is a cause NDTV has firmly believed in. NDTV has passionately felt about women and their issues from the time we have started. The number of issues taken up by us has been increasing. I think it’s a part of our DNA. We have a high packed jury consisting of some of the prominent names from the field. The Women of Worth initiative to honor real women from different walks of life is an excellent platform to discuss the issues faced by them and find solutions for the same. Extraordinary women are emerging as the real she-roes with their grit and determination. We really hope that through this association, NDTV & L’Oréal become the voice to encourage more women to make a significant difference in our society.”
On International Women’s Day, 8 March, 2016, a conclave with opinion leaders, Women of Worth 2016 jury members, spokespersons from L’Oréal Paris and NDTV will be organised to discuss a range of subjects impacting the evolving role of women in India and issues impacting society.
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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.
