News Broadcasting
Radio City 91 gears for elections
MUMBAI: Ditto for Radio City. Seems like the entertainment industry really can’t resist catching the election fever.
While the news channels are already into the second phase of their election specials, Music Broadcast Private Limited’s (MBPL) radio station FM 91 is all set to unveil it’s election special programming.
Sporting the tagline, “Janta Jagao, Desh Hilao” the private radio channel’s prorogramming innovation is touted as the raison d’etre of Radio City’s efforts to connect with the listeners and provide quality entertainment, says a company release.
In a bid to get its listeners involved with the biggest activity in the nation, the radio station will provide a countdown to the 14th General Elections. Spread over five weeks across the Radio City stations in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Lucknow, the “Janta Jagao, Desh Hilao” election package will feature programmes like: –
Kya Baat Kar Raha Hai – a series of vignettes that highlight some unusual trivia of the electoral process, both past and present.
Janta Chunega apna Mantriji – an on air initiative, which will utilise the interactive element of the radio medium to get listeners to participate in a mega poll to identify and choose the ministers of their choice.
Popat – A show where Radio City tests listeners election quotient. It is a call-in show with a twist.
Public City Election Special – Called as the voice of the common man, through this programme Radio City wil provide a platform for listeners to air their aspirations, needs, and expectations from their chosen representative, post the elections.
Iss Ghante – This show featuring celebrities and politicians will have the special guests encourage listeners to cast their vote.
Rajdhani Express – From Abhineta to Neta. Radio City presents a feature that traces the journey of Indian actors and actresses from films to politics like Shatrughan Sinha and Hema Malini. All this is interspersed with music from their movies.
Thengalalji – Taking a cue from the news channel, Radio City has created a character- Thengalalji. The channel’s conscience, Thengalalji will uses his quirky sense of humour to encourage the Indians to cast their vote. Through this programme, the radio channel aims to clear misconceptions around and lackadaisical approach to voting.
Announcing the launch of “Janta Jagao, Desh Hilao” election initiative Radio City COO Sumantra Dutta said, “Radio as a medium is highly interactive with an awesome userbase and the elections is the single largest and most important event for the country. In keeping with the belief of using the airwaves for a responsible cause, Radio City will be utilizing the opportunity to involve and educate our listeners about the importance of the casting their vote for the elections in a manner that is exciting and innovative. Going a step further, besides creating awareness about importance of voting, Radio City will also run interesting promos to create awareness about the citizen’s responsibility to vote for the right candidate.”
Besides the special programming, the channel will also launch interactive contests such as Election Countdown and Hum Aap Ke Hain Kaun. This programme will give listeners a chance to showcase their knowledge and skills.
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.
