News Broadcasting
India TV Bihar Conclave set to host the biggest power gathering before state elections
MUMBAI: Riding on a spectacular response, both in terms of numbers & critical acclaim to its special initiatives over the last 2 elections, India TV’s announces the launch of Chunav Manch. This will be a full-day long Mega-Conclave focused on Bihar elections.
The channel that has gained a huge reputation for its top-notch on-ground initiatives over last few years, hold many promises for the avid political watchers & analysts through this initiative. As it is a norm with all India TV events, even this Conclave will be studded with the biggest political names those have direct stakes in these elections.
What makes these elections highly anticipated & a top news event is that many are viewing them as a some sort of a report card to ruling BJP/NDA regime in the centre and others are keen to see how a slightly desperate looking tie-up of various parties ‘with different ideologies’ be able to fare in the litmus test.
While top politicians will discuss & debate their own visions & beliefs and question others’ views for the state, there will be a determined battery of top journalists and top state influencers grilling each of them on issues of genuine importance.
The participants who have so far consented to attend the summit include Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Former CMs Lalu Prasad Yadav & Jitan Ram Manjhi, BJP President Amit Shah, JD(U) President Sharad Yadav, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, LJP President Ram Vilas Paswan, Former Deputy CM Sushil Modi, Actor & BJP Leader Shatrughan Sinha, Actor & BJP MP Manoj Tiwari amongst others.
The Conclave, which is set to be the biggest power gathering before Bihar Elections, is slated for tomorrow, 22nd September 2015. The proceedings shall telecast live & exclusive on India TV from Patna’s Hotel Maurya.
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.
