News Broadcasting
Zee launching 2 shows on 28 March
MUMBAI: Sunday’s are special at Zee too. Although the channel is keeping it hush-hush on this one, it will be debuting two new shows on Sunday 28 March.
While sitcom Hum Sab Barati will debut in the 8 pm slot, replacing Chausath Panne’s current series Aandhi, the next edition of Chausath Panne, Lavanya , will debut at 8:30 on the same day.
Produced by erstwhile writer- lyricist- director Sanjay Chhel, Hum Sab… is a comedy starring Dilip Joshi and Tiku Talsnia. Penned by Chhel himself, the sitcom is about a Barati family.
Given his track record in comedy writing, television serials like Naya Nukkad, Filmi Chakkar, Philips Top Ten, Mast Mast Hai Zindagi, Dekh Tamaasha Dekh, Sahara’s latest Malini Iyer and blockbuster films like Rangeela, Yes Boss, Daud, Kacche Dhaage, Pehla Nasha, One Two Ka Four, Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaye, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and Halo, the latest offering from the king of one-liners should be a rib tickling experience.
While Aandhi, Chausath Panne’s current series was to wind up on 3 March, the channel gave the series an eight episode extension. Despite constant prodding, the channel chose to remain tight lipped on the developments. But according to an industry sources, the channel plans to announce the launch of the new series as well as its new movie acquisitions with a big promotional blitz.
As for Lavanya, the 64-episode series is said to be taking a cue from the classic Dev Anand-Nutan romantic movie. Starring Shilpa Saklani and Rohit Bakshi, the series is being produced by Moving Pictures in association with Rajeev Mehta promoted Dream Team. While both the screen play and the direction is by Habib, Mohit Jha is the episodic director.
Deviating from the usual melodrama’s, the series is said to be a far cry from the extended family saga since it has stayed clear of the screen mothers-fathers- grandmothers routine. Additionally, the lead actors Saklani (Ganga of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhie Bahu Thi) and Bakshi (Piyush of Kahiin To Hoga) will portray contemporary girl and guy next door characters.
In a bid to augment its comedy band, the channel will also be airing Moving Picture-Dream Team’s next Adal Badal, a four day comedy starring Vinay Pathak and Sumeet Raghvan.
Besides, the channel has already introduced Mahesh Thakur to the cast of its critically acclaimed serial Astitva- Ek prem kahani. Thakur plays Dr Simran aka Niki Aneja’s former love interest Abhi.
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.
