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Times Now announces Amazing Indians Awards 2023
Mumbai: Times Now, India’s leading English news channel has announced Amazing Indians, a prestigious national platform that celebrates and honors the indomitable spirit of India’s common people who have performed uncommon deeds for the improvement of society. The awards ceremony will be held on 29 September in New Delhi. Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles & Smriti Zubin Irani, Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Minority Affairs will grace the event as chief guests and will deliver keynote addresses.
Times Now Amazing Indians features inspiring stories of individuals who through their grit, determination and selfless acts of service have significantly impacted people’s lives. The premier national awards night will felicitate winners across 12 categories – Agriculture, Animal Welfare, Education, Environment & Climate, Food Management and Nutrition, Girl Child And Women’s Rights Empowerment, Healthcare, Medical & Clinical Assistance, Rural Development, Sanitation And Water, Slum Care, Shelter Management and Tech For Good. The awards night will also witness special felicitations for Dr. Veeramuthuvel, Project Director, Chandrayan- 3, ISRO and Dr. Nigar Shaji, project Director, Aditya – L1 Mission, ISRO for their outstanding contributions to India’s space endeavors.
Adding to the grandeur of the ceremony, the event will feature a special Jugalbandi performance by Anuradha Pal, India’s first female Tabla Maestro, and a captivating musical presentation by the exceptionally talented members of Shreerang Charitable Trust.
Times Network MD & CEO MK Anand said, “As India’s most influential news leader, Times Now has played a pivotal role in driving change and action. Amazing Indians Awards is our initiative to highlight the extraordinary achievements of ordinary Indians who have made a positive impact on society. Over the years, the platform has featured the remarkable journeys of over 500 such individuals, each of whom has crafted a legacy through courage, determination, and an unwavering spirit. I am confident that the stories of these ‘Amazing Indians’ will inspire a new generation of changemakers, contributing to a better India.”
A panel of esteemed jury comprising General M. M. Naravane (PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (RETD), former chief of the Army Staff, Indian Army), Prasoon Joshi (chairman, McCann Worldgroup Asia Pacific and CEO & CCO, McCann Worldgroup India), Ritesh Agarwal (founder and group CEO, OYO), Anand Kumar (founder, Super 30), Dr. S. Rangarajan (former director ISRO, MCF, ISTRAC & Satcomm) and Sonam Wangchuk (social reformist, Ramon Magsaysay awardee) have shortlisted the winners through an exhaustive pan-India screening process duly evaluated by Ernst & Young (process partner).
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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.
