News Broadcasting
Remembering Sidharth Shukla: Perception and reality
“Absolutely shocked and stunned on learning about the demise of Sushant Singh Rajput! Unbelievable! Sincere condolences and prayers for his family. Rest in peace..#SushantSinghRajput”
When TV and film actor Sidharth Shukla posted this tweet on 20 July 2020, little did he know or even guess that the whole of social media would be buzzing, with tweets and messages pouring in by the tens of thousands mourning his own passing away. Most of them expressed utter shock, disbelief, and numbness that the absolutely fighting fit Sidharth had indeed passed onto the other world.
His early death at just 40 will surely see him attain legendary status, just like Sushant Singh Rajput’s demise did for him. Or even James Dean did in the previous century.
Sidharth has a following that runs into millions – nay, hundreds of millions. He has a popularity that is akin to many big Bollywood stars.
We at Indiantelevision.com had signed him to perform at the height of his popularity during “Balika Vadhu” days for the Indian Telly Awards. With tight and long shooting schedules, he still found time to come rehearse for his act late into the night past the midnight hour.
But apparently, he would have liked more rehearsals. He was a tight bundle of energy waiting to explode, go on stage and complete his performance, on the evening of The Indian Telly Awards gala. One of the backstage crew said he was upset as there was a reshuffling of acts as one of his co-performers was not yet ready. “He’s extremely agitated,” said he. “We will have to calm him down.”
So we called Indiantelevision.com and the Indian Telly Awards founder Anil Wanvari to speak with him. Wanvari took him aside and asked him what the problem was. Sidharth explained he had had a rough shooting schedule and that he was expected on his sets the next day for an early morning shoot. He kept pacing around saying he wanted to go home.
Wanvari, putting his arm around his shoulder, gave him a bottle of water to sip, and spoke to him like he was his son, and explained to him why there was a delay in his multi-star dance act. He also told Sidharth that it is important that he dances as the performance would be incomplete without him, and his partner would not have anyone to dance with her. Wanvari’s soothing voice helped and we saw his sweaty face which had anger written all over it, soften and then break into a smile.
When his turn came to go on stage to dance, he performed like his life depended on it. The audience broke into applause. Wanvari went up to him and thanked him for his patience and for putting in his best into the performance. Sidharth only smiled shyly, his eyes crinkling and he looked away.
From thereon, the young man went on to achieve even greater fame and fan-following. Some controversial publications wrote about his occasional outbursts, while others talked about his better side. Initially, he used to react strongly to all the negative reports but recently had learned to laugh at them. Said he in a tweet recently: “Being reading a few newz articles …. Least said they are hilarious….. bhayi eye balls he Chahiyea tho kuch positive likh lo ….itni negativity kaha se latte ho…How do you’ll manage to know more about me better than me… least I can say .. may God bless you all.”
The educated, well-spoken interior design graduate who became a model and then shot to fame with “Balika Vadhu” and then climbed even higher with “Bigg Boss 13”, appears to have made peace with himself and with industry pressures. His posts clearly showed he had a sharp and intuitive mind. May his soul rest in peace!
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.
