News Broadcasting
News Express rebrands to focus on investigative journalism
MUMBAI: When Vinod Kapri quit as India TV’s managing editor and joined News Express as the network’s editor-in-chief and CEO, he had firmly decided that he would bring about a turnaround in the channel.
Now two months later, News Express is all set to give itself a polished look starting 25 February.
News Express has a brand new logo in red and blue and a dual tag line ‘We report to you/Fikra Aapki’ in order to communicate that the channel will be pro people.
Similarly, the graphics of the channel will also be designed by an agency that has developed the new logo. The agency will also be working on the new channels planned by News Express. With the new look, the channel aims to be a lot more cleaner and a lot less noisier.
Investigative stories will form the core of the channel. Says Kapri, “We already have tough competition in the Hindi space. We have decided to do three things: make the channel clutter free, focus on investigative journalism and not put up any content which will hurt people or go against basic norms of news coverage.”
Kapri also adds that the aim of the channel is not to be the first or the number one but rather to be the one to present the right news. The focus is on getting new viewers to sample the new look of the channel.
The channel is launching with its first show called Operation Prime Minister. Other shows lined up are Namaskar India, Desh Janana Chahta Hai with Nishant Chaturvedi, Rajniti Black and White with Navin Kumar, Express Election xchange with Satish K Singh and Nishant Chaturvedi, The New(s) Rebel – Ek awaz tark ki with Satish K Singh, Aaj ke Mukhya Samachar with Nishant Chaturvedi and Kapri’s own show Raj Shastra. A special weekly show called Udaan is planned that will be anchored by acid attack survivor Laxmi.
The marketing campaign will begin in the first week of March, once the channel has settled a bit. Owing to elections, Kapri is confident that it will resonate well with the viewers.
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.
