News Broadcasting
Zee Jagran sports new look; repositions itself
MUMBAI: Enriching Lives! That’s the new tag line of Zee Jagran, the spiritual TV channel from the Zee group, which is looking at repositioning itself.
The new positioning statement – Enriching Lives – exudes the essence of Zee Jagran. Enriching Lives is a sum total of seven elements called hope, joy, peace, celebration, balance, silence and awakening. The right mix of these elements helps a person in experiencing life in its true colours.
In order to break the perception that the channel is aimed at elderly people, the new positioning is targeted to all those who want to connect to their souls and live life to the fullest.
In an official statement issued, the new positioning of Zee Jagran will be reflected in the overall aesthetics, look and feel of the channel, innovative channel packaging, colorful promos, all new range of programs and a lot more.
The programmes designed for the channel are divided into thematic time bands, which will highlight the seven elements that lead towards enriching lives. These programmes are full of variety and cater to almost all age-groups and profiles of people who want to celebrate the festival called life, everyday.
Starting from 2 pm, the first time band with the theme – Hope – showcases alternative healing programs like Tarot, The Good Food Show, Lifestyle Gurus, Beauty Mantras, etc.
Joy will air at 2:30 pm showcasing serials like Ramayan, Vishnu Puran and Jai Ganesh. From 3 pm to 3:30 pm the channel will air Silence, which features programmes like Mano ya na Mano and Anant, which unveils the truth about various superstitions, evils and demons that affect life at one point or the other.
The channel will also air shows like Celebrate, Jahan Jahan Ram Charan Chali Jahin (JJRCCJ), Namaste India, Home Healers, Green Mantra, mystical show Peace, Balance, Awakening from Monday to Thursday.
Weekends will showcase inspirational movies. The channel recently aired hard hitting realities of the country in the form of documentaries made with the support of NGO’s like Prayaas, which are working hard for the upliftment of the underprivileged. Also there was a special feature on Bhopal Gas Tragedy victims, who are still struggling for their rights.
The channel will also air special programmes on various festivals through a range of celebrations in the form of film festival, live shows and special features.
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.
