News Broadcasting
TV9 Bangla Sharadiya rolls out special program line-ups
Mumbai: Consequent to the newly launched AI tech TV9 Bangla Pujor Gaan, the tagline of TV9 Bangla Sharadiya affirms ‘Shoke Drohe Utsab’. This year the news channel speaks of mourning, rebellion, and celebration which means celebrating victory over evils in society, showcasing empathy, and raising voices for protesting the horrific rape and murder of the young doctor of the RG Kar hospital in Kolkata that has shaken the globe.
According to TV9 Bangla managing editor & business head Amritanshu Bhattacharya, “The mood in the state may be sombre, but that doesn’t seem to have dampened the festive spirit of Durga Puja. This vibrant festival is a celebration of good over evil, and its significance goes beyond its religious roots, embracing social and cultural aspects. Durga Puja is a time for family reunions, community gatherings, and public celebrations. So, keeping in tune with the present mood and emotion of people, puja festivities too will embrace the current mood and passion.”
TV9 Bangla this year highlights a special programme under its puja banner, ‘TV9 Bangla Sharadiya’ taking the contemporary issues of the society.
‘Mayer Pujo Meyer Hatey’ is a special Durga Puja program showcasing selected pujas organized exclusively by women across the city. It will air on TV9 Bangla from 4 to 12 October at 3:30 pm.
‘TV9 Bangla Pujo Somman’ features the sera barowari and sera abason competition, recognizing 237 puja pandals throughout Bengal. This includes nine main categories: ‘sera theme’ (best theme), ‘sera protima’ (best idol), ‘sera poribesh’ (best environment), ‘sera mohila porichalito pujo’ (best women-organized puja), ‘sera barowari’ (best puja committee), ‘sera alonkar’ (best ornaments), ‘sera suraksha’ (best safety), ‘manusher pashe’ (beside common people), and ‘jelar sera puja’ (district pujas). This series will air from 10 to 12 October at 1 pm on TV9 Bangla.
Additionally, TV9 Bangla’s ‘manusher pashe’ initiative supports underprivileged children through partnerships with NGOs to provide essential items. “For TV9 Bangla, puja means another occasion to stand beside and touch upon the lives of the people of Bengal in every possible spirit. The cross-section of people includes the privileged and underprivileged. To touch upon the lives of people TV9 Bangla has tied up with an NGO to put an additional colour and joy. To bring all and one in the warmth of the festive spirit, TV9 Bangla is plying from urban to rural corners of Bengal with the NGO. At the same time, TV9 Bangla remains committed to the present mood of people,” Bhattacharya added.
The sponsors of TV9 Bangla include several partners, co-powered by Tata Ace, with Sriniketan as the wardrobe partner, special partners Sobisco Biscuits & Cakes, Cycle Pure Agarbathi, and Sunrise Pure, and Anjali Jewellers serving as the jewellery partner.
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.
