News Broadcasting
Not quite cricket? Hathway, MEL continue sparring
MUMBAI: For those who thought the spat between Hathway and Modi Entertainment Network Limited had ended; think again.
Although both parties claim to have reached an ‘understanding’ and Hathway put the MEN distributed DD Sports back on air on Thursday morning, Hathway retaliated today through the same medium that MEL has employed over the past few days – print.
In what is obviously an attempt to clear its turf, the MSO released an ad in the Times of India today, accusing MEL of anti customer attitude. “Only a fraction of the money collected from all the customers reaches Prasar Bharati /DD. The majority of the money goes to the pockets of MEL including the alleged recent price hike effected before the India/West Indies cricket series,” the ad says. Countering MEL’s allegation that Hathway ‘turned down’ DD Sports, the MSO questions the wisdom of such a move, since the series is being sponsored by Exide, a Hathway/WIN Cable associate company.
Taking on MEL’s allegation that Hathway refrains from showing DD Sports although it charges the viewers for it, Hathway has responded with a charge that MEL is forcing cable ops to carry TEN Sports, FTV and Hallmark, which it carries.
The dispute began on 11 October with the MSO’s refusal to accept DD Sports’ recent monthly subscription price hike from Rs 7.15 to Rs 8.95, when MEN switched off its feed in Mumbai and some other parts of Maharashtra.
For the last three days, MEL placed advertisements in The Times Of India defining its stand on the matter and accusing Hathway of denying its viewers the pleasure of watching Indian cricket even though it costs ‘less than a cup of tea’. It went on to urge viewers to ‘give their verdict’.
The icing to the cake , however, is Hathway’s declaration that “Hathway /Win cable is proud to carry India/ WI series ( Exide Cup) telecast on DD Sports” at the end of the ad.
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.
