News Broadcasting
Siddharth Zarabi and Alok Nair take charge of Business Today in sweeping leadership shuffle
MUMBAI: At Business Today, the winds of change are charging at bull-run speed. In a significant leadership shake-up announced by the India Today Group, Siddharth Zarabi has been elevated to the role of group editor, while Alok Nair has taken independent charge of the overall Strategic Business Unit (SBU). Both executives now steer one of India’s most influential business media outfits into its next ambitious chapter.
Zarabi, who has been with Business Today for just four years, will now helm the brand’s digital mandate in addition to his leadership across print and TV. With this expanded portfolio, Zarabi completes the vision of a unified, synergistic business vertical across platforms—a strategy laid out by Aroon Purie and the Group’s top brass. In his new role, he reports to Purie for print and to the author of the announcement for digital and TV operations.
Congratulating Zarabi, the note hailed his growth as a homegrown ITG talent and recognised his leadership in shaping Business Today’s editorial voice. His promotion positions him at the forefront of an integrated content strategy amid growing media convergence.
On the business side, Business Today COO Nair has taken independent charge of the entire SBU. Having spent four years scaling up the business, Nair has seamlessly integrated into the company’s high-performance culture. The announcement lauded his blend of energy, vision, and what were cheekily referred to as “magic beans”.
Nair will now report directly to India Today Group, group CEO Dinesh Bhatia. His elevation is seen as a bold move to energise Business Today’s business trajectory and deepen its market impact.
In a separate but equally enthusiastic email, Kamlesh Kishore Singh, host of the podcast Teen Taal was welcomed back into the newsroom after a brief sabbatical. Singh, known for his 16-year stint at the group and his mentorship at Lallantop, resumes a full-time role from 1 May, adding further heft to the Group’s editorial firepower.
With Singh’s ‘unretirement’, the reunion with longtime collaborator Venkat promises what leadership calls a “lethal combo” for doubling down on AI and digital transformation. In lighter moments, the note teases an “Unfarewell party” to celebrate his return.
Both announcements underline India Today Group’s renewed faith in internal leadership and long-standing editorial talent. “Get ready for a real bull run”, the memo concludes—a statement that may apply as much to markets as it does to this spirited newsroom.
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.
