News Broadcasting
Griphin India bags Whateo contract for Nelson Mandelas
‘Mindset’ Network, a non-profit South African Organization has recently appointed Griphin, a quick films agency from India to create a Whateo for its organization’s re-launch.
Predominantly a marketing tool, a Whateo works on the same lines as an explainer video or an animated online quick film; further enhanced with the expertise of story-telling, film making and marketing.
Mindset Network was extremely impressed and touched by the ‘Silence of Hunger’ Whateo created by Griphin for Bhookh.com, India, the Worlds 1st dotcom NGO and it was in succession of the same that the South African Organization commissioned Griphin to spearhead and kick-start their re-launch campaign with a Whateo.
As quoted by Griphin’s Founder, Jay Sutaria “It is a great feat for us to have caught the eye and attention of a noble organization such as Mindset Network; which is founded and promoted by Mr. Nelson Mandela’s Foundation. Further to which it is an honor to have been given this opportunity to associate with the same! The entire re-branding strategy of Mindset hinges largely upon the Whateo we create. This is a very special project indeed!”
Shaili Sutaria, Creative Director, Griphin says,”It is a challenge to clearly & distinctly communicate with a consumer in a world filled with information overdose! Every Whateo is an explainer video aimed at successfully explaining a concept through illustration, animation & entertainment within 2 minutes. At Griphin we pay special attention to driving ‘every point of communication home’. Mindset has approached us with a very noble mission. They are a non-profit organization and are one of the most trusted providers of quality educational resources, information and support to communities in South Africa. Mindset and Griphin together hope to communicate and motivate all the children of South Africa through an easy, comprehensive and endearing Whateo to take education in Africa to the next level.”
SILENCE OF HUNGER by Bhookh.com
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.
