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Zee, NDTV 24×7, Star World to launch new shows this week
MUMBAI: After an action packed week boasting of interesting launches including Star Plus’ weekly Jeet and magic talent show Jaaduu, Zee’s weekend special series Kabhie Kabhie, Star Worlds’ comedy Monk and season nine of Friends on Zee English, this week too has interesting launches to offer.
Launching this week is Zee’s daily Tum Bin Jaaoon Kahan on 12 October at 9:30, NDTV 24×7’s automobile show The Car & Bike Show on 12 October at 5:30 pm, Star World and the big budget reality show Joe Millionaire, on 16 October at 10:00 pm.
In its bid to push the flagging TRPs, Subhash Chandra promoted channel is going in for some revamp. It spruced up the weekend viewing with the short stories series Kabhie Kabhie on Thursday 9 October; the channel will now unveil a mega show produced by Aroona Irani, Tum Bin Jaaoon Kahan from 12 October at 9:30 pm daily from Sunday to Wednesday.
With the production house A K production having a good track record, the new launch high on the emotional quotient starring new comer Jividha and Vikas Bhalla is poised to do well.
Also in the pipeline is the automobile show on NDTV 24×7 The Car & Bike Show that will air on Sunday, 12 October at 5:30 pm. The show that claims to offer more than just the automobile industry will look at the individual players, models and sub sectors like auto parts and ancillaries and aims to offers a complete guide to the car buyer.
Besides offering details about the vehicle’s statistics, the show will also offer tips on how to go about buying the vehicle and what competition it’s up against. Also amongst the regular features of the show are the new watch segment where new launches Car/Bike/Scooter will be reviewed and a comparative analysis where two most popular models will be picked and pitted against each.
Last amongst the launches is the reality show Joe Millionaire that will make its debut on Star World on thursday 16 October at 10:00 pm. A Fox show that raked in the ratings for the US television is as a good mix of fantasy and reality, something that has a good market on the Indian television.
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.
