News Broadcasting
News Channels continue their innovations for World Cup
MUMBAI: When India and Pakistan face each other on the Cricket ground, it’s bigger than just a game. With emotions running high in two neighboring sides of the border for the World Cup face-off between India & Pakistan, NewsX and India News will join hands with PTV Sports and DIN News of Pakistan to present ‘War of the Worlds-Indo-Pak Clash’ and ‘India Mange Cup’ respectively, that will bring to the viewers extensive coverage around the Indo-Pak matches in the World Cup 2015.
Continuing with its objective of delivering quality content, iTV Network brings exclusive shows under this association. The channels will telecast multiple joint shows where panellists from both nations will discuss and analyze the teams, their performances and the likely outcome of the matches. The shows will also take a closer look at the history of the World Cup matches played between India and Pakistan. The channels together will conduct build-up shows on 13 and 14 February before the nations’ first face-off in World cup on 15 February. The special show will also analyse the impact index of the teams and the players by using Wisden Wizard Impact Index by Wisden India.
The array of special programming on the channels will include:
NewsX:
· On 13 & 14 February, Preview show before the epic battle between India Pakistan which will reminisce India’s unbeaten record against Pakistan in World Cup matches. The show will also compare both the teams using the Wisden Wizard Impact.
· On 15 February @ 7.30am, a half an hour pre-match show that will analyse the likely outcome of the match and a post-match review show to dissect the match from every aspect.
The guest panel will include many big names from India and Pakistan Cricket and Journalism fraternity like Anshuman Gaiekwad, Ayaz Memon, Vinod Kambli, Mohsin Khan, Sarfraz Nawaz, Jonty Rhodes etc.
India News:
· On 14 February: A preview show (7pm-10pm) along with debates between the players of respective teams.
· On 15 February: Pre-match special (at 8am) and post-match special, culminating into a mega show at 8pm in the evening that will review the match from all aspects.
The guest panel on the channel will include dignitaries and legendary names from India & Pakistan, such as Vinod Kambli, Nayan Mongia, Ritender Sodhi, Rajkumar Sharma (Coach, Virat Kohli) & Salim Malik (DIN News).
In addition to these, the channel will also telecast a special show if India & Pakistan fight each other in the knockouts and a mega preview show before the Grand Finale.
Speaking on this partnership, NewsX editor-in-chief Rahul Shivshankar said, “India & Pakistan matches have always creating a huge stir in both of our nations. Catching up with this rising excitement around the world cup face-off between the nations, we are glad to partner with PTV Sports, Pakistan and bring to the viewers a unique line-up of programming never seen before in World Cup. I am confident that this association will enhance our World Cup coverage and will bring the best to our viewers.”
India News editor-in-chief Deepak Chaurasia added, “India-Pakistan cricket matches are like a treat for the cricket lovers of two nations. While all other channels will be busy highlighting reactions from India, we at India News will make one step further by getting coverage direct from the other side of the border. Association with DIN News will certainly add an edge to our programming.”
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.
