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CNBC-TV18 and Microsoft launch SMB UTSAV to recognize and reward unsung SMB heroes of the Indian economy
Small and Medium Businesses have been the backbone of the Indian economy. While Covid-19 did hinder their streamlined work, it also made them appreciate the role of modern technology plays in growth and prosperity in this digital age, and how it can help them step into the future. Driving this similar thought ahead and aiming to help SMBs in this long run – CNBC-TV18, Indian leading English business news channel has joined hands with Microsoft to launch ‘SMB Utsav’. This contest is an opportunity of recognition for all the unsung heroes of the Indian economy to get business and technology offerings worth upto ₹ 15 lakhs and bolster their growth in the new paradigm.
Started from 7th December 2020, this is a 4 month-long event, which will identify and award the best SMB for their business/organizational resilience every month. The aim is to provide a game-changing environment for small businesses that will enable flexibility, operational efficiencies, and increased productivity. This in turn will help the winning SMB to drive innovation and unlock opportunities. With the help of Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency of India(ICRA) analytics – the knowledge partners, CNBC-TV18 will shortlist businesses from the received entries and assess their mettle that helped tide over the recent adversities. The winner will be awarded benefits of worth 18 lakh which will include technology benefits, business benefits by Microsoft and country wide promotion on the CNBC-TV18 platforms.
The CNBC-TV18 editorial panel along with ICRA will conduct a 3-phase methodology(Judging process), which will be a deliberate procedure designed on a combination of various criteria, including online submission, shortlisting, and at the final stage, the jury meet.
Commenting on the same, Smriti Mehra, CEO at CNBC-TV18 said, “Considering the situation of the current time, we have realized that implementation of technology is a must for every business. With more and more innovations coming into the picture, it is only practical that SMBs adapt to them and take their businesses to the next step. Using the expertise of Microsoft, we want to help businesses realize their potential and give them a boost towards their growth with digital transformation and help uplift the economy of our country.”
To know more about the event or nominate yourselves, you can visit the given
link: https://www.cnbctv18.com/ms/smbutsav/
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.
