News Broadcasting
‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa”s camera rolls in Mumbai again
MUMBAI: After the success of Hero Honda Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’s World Series in Dubai, the team is back in Mumbai again with yet another series called the Popular Choice.
The shooting for this series wound up on Wednesday in Film City. They had last shot in Mumbai in September 2003 before the Dubai series got off.
The episodes of the popular series will be on air from 14 May with the finals to be shown on 13 August which will be an Independence Day special episode. The series will showcase the talents of 12 specially invited contestants, who have participated in the show in the last two years.
The list of judges for the final round, a two episode event, is a long one with many special invitees from the world of music. It will start with a classical note by Ustad Gulam Mustafa Khan accompanied by the 12 participants. The judge’s panel include maestros like Anu Malik, Ismail Darbar, Uttam Singh, and music director duos Jatin-Lalit and Nikhal- Vinay.
Speaking to Indian television, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa creative director Gajendra Singh gave his views on the show. “This is a special show because the contestants of this show are those who have already participated in our show in the last two years and are selected and invited to participate again in this series as we think that they have potential to make it big in the world of music. The judges of this series are also special because they are the viewer’s choice”, said Singh.
Prior to the show, the participants have been trained in a month-long workshop under some of the most revered music directors, singers and lyricists of the Indian music industry like Ustad Gulam Mustafa Khan, Nida Fazli, Anand ji of Kalyanji-Anandji and Pt. Askaran Sharma, who will also grace the finals with their presence.
Anchored by Shaan, Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, has, over the years, identified and nurtured many a talent in the music industry and has provided a platform to the budding singers. Amongst others, some of the talents who have already achieved success through this platform are Sanjivni Bhelande of Nikamma , Mohd. Salamat who gave his voice in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Shreya Ghosal who tasted success with Devdas and Jism and Sweta Pandit who has sung in Mohabbatein.
The show which has completed more than 100 episodes has been popular in India and abroad. Zee is also coming up with a contest for its viewers who can win prizes by guessing correctly the series’ winner.
The two winners, one male and one female, of this series will get an opportunity to release their music album under the Saregama Music banner and also get a chance to work and prove themselves with the renowned Indian musicians.
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.
