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Smriti Z Iraani appointed as BJP youth wing VP
MUMBAI: Here’s the latest on Bharatiya Janta Party’s newest ‘glam’ entrant – television’s favourite bahu and anchor Smriti Z Iraani. The lady’s performance during the assembly election campaign by the BJP last month has met with approval from the party’s mandarins. Her appointment as as the vice-president of the Maharashtra unit of the Yuva Morcha – the youth wing – was announced yesterday with the tenure being three years.
Iraani had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party as party worker late last year. Speaking to indiantelevision.com Iraani explained, “Ever since I joined the party, I had a dream of motivating the youth of our country. I strongly feel that the problems of this country can be solved only through the young generation.”
“My task will comprise of inspiring the young force of BJP and assigning them tasks at basic level,” she offered. When asked to elaborate further, she offered, “You keep hearing about senior citizens being murdered. My first plan would be to encourage youth to be keep a watch on the seniors, be on a look out if they need help. Next would be to establish a support system for the girls, so that they know where to turn to in times of need.”
Iraani said that this post was offered to her by the delegates of the party and the process was fairly simple as it is a position within the party.
When asked about her political ambitions, she said, “I definitely see myself in active politics for a long time. “I feel we all must do something for our country in whatever way we can. If I have got an opportunity, then why not?
She added: “The BJP is a wonderful party to be in. Despite good results in the assembly election, we are still working. It’s not that we work to garner media spotlight when only the elections draw near. My new appointment is a case in point. “
When queried if she would be able to continue her acting career she offered that she has an understanding with the production houses she is working with. “They know that I am a hard core professional and I won’t neglect my duties,” she said.
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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.
