News Broadcasting
Patriotism is in the air; channels line up special programmes for 15 Aug
MUMBAI: As this year’s independence day falls on a Sunday, we have our television channels making their best efforts to match their programming line up with the mood of the big day. Special features, entertainment shows, documentaries and movies galore to celebrate India’s 57th Independence Day.
Among the news channels, Star News is celebrating the Independence Day with the special Ye Gulistan Hamara, which will be aired every hour from 6.00,am to midnight. This segment will feature Independence Day celebrations from various parts of the country, celebrity greetings and most importantly it will remember our unsung heroes who sacrificed their lives for to win us freedom.
In addition, a half hour special Ye Gulistan Hamara – Mera Gaon Mera Desh’ at 6.30 pm will showcase the glory of India (from Kashmir to Kanyakumari) and Indians (from a common man to celebrities). The channel will air a live telecast of the Prime Minister’s address to the nation from the Red Fort. Star News National Reporter will air a special episode on August 15, Ye Gulistan Hamara-National Reporter. It will air exclusive stories related to Independence Day from 8.00 pm to 8.30 pm. In addition, a half hour special Ye Gulistan Hamara – Mera Gaon Mera Desh will be aired at 6.30pm. The programme will showcase the glory of India (from Kashmir to Kanyakumari) and Indians (from a common man to celebrities).
NDTV’s show Jai Jawan travels to Uri with Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt and NDTV anchor Barkha Dutt to celebrate the 57th Independence Day with the Indian Army jawans. The Jai Jawan Independence Day Special will be telecast on NDTV India on 13 August at 11.00 pm and on NDTV 24X7 on 14 August at 10.00 pm. The repeat telecast is scheduled on 15 August at 12.00 noon on NDTV India and at 9.30 pm on NDTV 24X7.
Sahara Samay Rashtriya is dressing up for the big occasion with three special shows: Ek Aur Loktantraat 9.30 pm will feature the tribals from Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The half an hour capsule will focus on the struggle of the tribals to earn for their livelihood. Azaadi Ki Woh Raat 10.00 pm tries to render the “Trauma of Partition”. Defining Moments, a half an hour capsule captures the various glorious moments that form the Indian collective consciousness.
The day gives the movie channels an occasion to celebrate with theme movies. Zee TV has the two- month old “patriotic film” Deewar up its sleeves for 15 August, for its 8.00 pm Zee Premiere slot. SET Max brings the TV premiere of the Anil Kapoor – Rani Mukherjee starrer Calcutta Mail on 14 August as the Maha movie of the week.
Zee Cinema has popular blockbusters like Sholay and Hum Aap ke Hain Koun and the cop movie Kagar.
This Independence Day Star Gold brings a unique contest where the viewers can participate and win free air tickets by watching 4 all time patriotic movies – two JP Dutta movies – Refugee (3:55 am), and Border (8:30 am). Zameen (12:30 pm) and 23rd March 1931 Shaheed (4:30 pm) – will complete the channel’s Independence Day package. The contest Tata Tea Desh Ke Naam Sandesh has an SMS-based contest where the best message will be chosen and the four winners will take home free tickets to fly to any four corners of India they choose to.
Sony Entertainment Television has opted to celebrate the day with its popular series CID. The one-hour special episode at 8.00 pm has the CID team rescuing the whole nation from some disaster on the even of the Independence Day.
The National Geographic Channel celebrates the Independence Day with On Freedom’s Trail – three documentaries that unravel the conflict between man and animal. The documentaries lined up for 15 August are Operation Hot Pursuit (8.00 pm), Shores of Silence: The Whale Sharks (8.30 pm) and Leopards of Bollywood (9.00 pm). Operation Hot Pursuit examines the dwindling number of wild elephants in India. Shores of Silence portray the sad plight of the whale shark on Indian shores. The third show Leopards of Bollywood is a probe of the leopard that has unleashed havoc in suburban Mumbai.
The History Channel has also lined up specials for the day. The channel, devoted to history programming, is celebrating the big day with two compelling personalities who have left an indelible impact on each Indian’s life – Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and the charismatic Mother Teresa feature in the channel’s signature series, Biography at 10.00 pm.
Among music channels, MTV presents the MTV Select: Independence Day Special with singer Shaan. MTV VJ Nikhil catches up with the singer as he speaks on his views on freedom and global peace and also sings live on the sets of the show.
Star’s regional channel Vijay TV has a full platter with movies, songs, reviews, entertainment shows and talk shows. The pick of Vijay’s programmes include a special show featuring actor Vijayakant and a special episode of Star Udan Oru Naal featuring actor Parthiban.
So there goes the ‘order’ of the day. For channels it is again another day at office, making all efforts to get the maximum eyeballs….happy Independence Day!!
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.
