News Broadcasting
NDTV Prime presents Stand Up Planet
MUMBAI: NDTV Prime is proud to present Stand Up Planet, a travelogue hosted by L.A.-based Indian American comic, Hasan Minhaj (Arrested Development, MTV’s Failosophy), that takes viewers on a quest to find some of the best humour coming from across the world.
Along the way, Minhaj follows the jokes and personal experiences of these international comics deep into the hard truths of some of the toughest global poverty issues of our time.
With a posse of comedian friends, including Nate Bargatze, James Adomian and Michelle Buteau, Minhaj invites one comic from India and one from South Africa to take part in the biggest night of their lives – performing in an international comedy showcase and television show in Hollywood – after a stop to meet comedy legend Bill Cosby.
NDTV Prime has partnered with KCETLink, the national independent public media organization (USA) to premiere STAND UP PLANET. The two part comedy documentary will be aired on NDTV Prime as part of the channel’s Comedy time band at 10:00pm on May 17 & May 24.
Speaking on the association Vikram Chandra, Group CEO, NDTV said, “We at NDTV have always strived towards providing global quality content to our viewers and the association with KCETLink’s original comedy special STAND UP PLANET is yet another step towards achieving this. Comedy is gaining great popularity in India and through the platform of NDTV Prime; we will showcase the best in the genre to our viewers.”
STAND UP PLANET is funded by a grant from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and produced by independent broadcaster KCETLink in association with [http://www.kontentfilms.com/] Kontent Films. The television elements were directed by David Munro, and the project’s executive producers are Wendy Hanamura, Caty Borum Chattoo, Paul S. Mason, Craig Minassian, David Munro, Xandra Castleton, Mark Decena and Teri Heyman. Munro and Castleton are the TV programís creators. The project’s transmedia executive producers and directors are Caty Borum Chattoo and Wendy Hanamura. The special is being distributed nationally in the U.S. by KCET, Link TV and Pivot TV.
STAND UP PLANET’s robust website will provide viewers with behind-the-scenes content and ways to learn, share information and take action on global poverty in India and South Africa.
Follow STAND UP PLANET on Twitter at @standupplanettv and on Facebook at facebook.com/StandUpPlanet. Follow the conversations at #StandUpPlanet. To learn more, please visit www.standupplanet.org.
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.
