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NDTV and Vedanta announce the launch of a unique initiative Our Girls Our Pride
New Delhi, NDTV and Vedanta today announced the launch of their unique initiative ‘NDTV Vedanta OurGirls Our Pride’, a first of its kind national movement to create awareness about issues related to the girl child, at an event held at The Leela, Chankayapuri, New Delhi. The key issues that the campaign will focus on are Nutrition, Education, Health, Foeticide and Infanticide.
Priyanka Chopra was named the brand ambassador for the campaign. UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador for India, Priyanka has been actively involved in various causes related to the girl child for many years. She has also personally supported this cause through the ‘Priyanka Chopra Foundation for Health and Education’, which works towards providing support to unprivileged girls across the country in the areas Education and Health.
To launch the initiative, Campaign Ambassador, Priyanka Chopra joined Dr Prannoy Roy, Cochairperson, NDTV and Mr. Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta in the capital. Also present at the launch were Dr A L Sharada, Programme Director, Population First, Ms. Neelam Singh, NGO Vatsalya, UP, Ms. Deepak Kalra, Chairperson for Child Rights Protection Committee in Rajasthan amongst many others.
Addressing the gathering via a live-link, the Hon’ble Minister for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath said, “We should respect women in our society because both men and women are equal partners to bring out our society forward. According to our Constitution, we have equal rights, so we enjoy equal rights as men and women.”
On being introduced as Campaign Ambassador, Priyanka Chopra, said, “The upliftment of the girl child in India has been a cause that is very close to my heart. In my role as UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador and through my experience with my personal foundation, I understand that while there have been some positive strides being made every day, there is still a serious amount of work that is still left to be done.I am honoured to be a part of NDTV – Vedanta Our Girls Our Pride, which is a wonderful initiative. NDTV has pioneered several successful campaigns in the past, creating a positive change in the lives of many. My personal experience with NDTV on the Greenathon over many successful years gives me the belief that together we can work towards making a sustainable change. With this initiative we aim to change the lives of many girls and provide them with basic necessities to be able to lead a quality life. I’m looking forward to creating a successful campaign that will give everyone an opportunity to come together in making a better and brighter India for our young girls.”
NDTV has always played an instrumental role in creating awareness about various issues existing in the country through diverse, path breaking initiatives such as Save Our Tigers, Support My School, Marks for Sports and the Greenathon amongst others.
Vedanta has taken forward a mission to make India a Child Malnourished free nation and thereby since 2008, the Group has taken care of over 14,000 Anganwadi centres reaching out to more than 500,000 children with a special focus on girl child. 8 Hi-tech Mid Day Meal Kitchens have been set up, providing hot nutritious meal to over 250,000 rural students. Many rural schools have been adopted for strengthening the quality of education and infrastructure. The Group has also taken up the initiative which has transformed 14,900 women into Rural Entrepreneurs through Self Help Groups. Beside, having specialized health camps, the Grouphas a Heart Hospital in Rajasthan and is constructing a 350 bedded Vedanta Cancer Hospital & Research Centre in Raipur which is near completion.
‘NDTV-Vedanta Our Girls Our Pride’ is yet another attempt to make a noteworthydifference in our world. Apart from sensitizing the masses, the campaign also aims to raisefunds to make a positive impact in the lives of as many girls as possible. Vedanta, through its “Khushi” campaign, has joined hands with NDTV in creating awareness towards care for the underprivileged children with focus on their health, nutrition, education and overall development.To drive momentum for the cause, NDTV will also create dynamic partners in government departments, NGOs, schools and private organisations.
On this occasion, Mr. Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta Group, said “Vedanta is committed to partner with all stakeholders, especially community, for a holistic development of India. What we need today is a movement on a war-footing to give our children what is rightfully theirs — a childhood that is not deprived of health, nutrition and education. We all must join hands — individuals, civil society, corporates, media fraternity and the government. We are quite delighted to associate with NDTV and Ms Priyanka Chopra for taking the “Our Girls Our Pride” campaign forward.”
Addressing the audience, Dr. Prannoy Roy, Chairperson, NDTV, said “Perhaps the single most important change we can bring to our country is to invest in our girl children – to focus on their rights and demand their equality in society. Ensuring that every girl child in India achieves her full potential will transform India in a way that no other revolution can. This campaign is a small step in that direction – to raise awareness and to seek concrete steps towards a better India for the girl child.”
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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.
