News Broadcasting
Telemart-2004 will spark new ideas: Ronnie Screwvala
MUMBAI: “Telemart isn’t like any other conference. The focus here is on actual trade and not just company plugs. In fact, the two-hour conference held every day, before the actual trade opens, will instead deal with the industry and community issues.”
UTV promoter and CII Telemart’s event chairperson Ronnie Screwvala opines about the first-ever International Content Marketplace – Telemart 2004.
First ever such conference to be held in India, Telemart is touted as Mipcom of India. To be held in Mumbai on 16 – 17 September at the Grand Hyatt, the event is meant specifically for Indian and neighbouring markets and is designed to help media businesses capitalise on the growing opportunities by offering a platform to network and trade in content for the Indian market.
Media companies like broadcaster Sony, production major UTV, television glossie GR8 and indiantelevision.com are the main partners for the event.
“Whenever we (Indian producers) went abroad, it has always been an individual effort. And hence we were always a small fry. But with Telemart being an annual event, one can hope that trading of software — content or animation or technology — in India would be much organised,” Screwvala says.
With technology coming of age, what with Indian media upbeat about the technologies like DTH, Pay TV, and broadband, the conference comes at a good time.
According to Screwvala, CII expects about 200-250 focused participants for the inaugural edition, 35 of them are expected to be serious international players.
“With format shows, soaps adapted being the current flavour of the season on Indian television, it can be anticipated that international payers- both big and small will be keen,” says Screwvala.
Although he does not expect either bidding or actual trade to take place, Screwvala expects that Telemart 2004 will be a platform for broadcasters, TV content makers, distributors, distribution to interact and initiate businesses. “If on-the-spot trading happens, then that would be quite a success, but we are ideally targeting the same for the second or the third edition,” he says.
Speaking about his role as the event chairperson, Screwvala says, “I am looking at it to be an annual affair with good participation from both the regional as well as small players. Even for the seminar, I am looking at the talks sparking new thoughts.”
Although he is upbeat about the animation industry’s participation, he opines that it will have more to do with showcasing the talent and use of technology rather than creative portfolio’s. “There is hardly any original content churned out of India. But so is the case with the UK, France and Canada. Churning of original content requires government support as it is not a cheap proposition,” he adds.
For further details about Telemart, contact Gayatri Gulati at CII office— 24931790. Or visit Telemart website www.telemart.tv.
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.
