News Broadcasting
Shriram Sanlam Awards 2013 – for Excellence In Financial Journalism
MUMBAI: The Shriram Group is delighted to continue our contribution and recognition to the Journalist community through our SHRIRAM SANLAM AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL JOURNALISM. This year, Shriram Capital enters its second year of recognizing and commemorating Excellence In Financial Journalism. Having successfully launched the Shriram Sanlam Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism last year, Shriram Capital is pleased to share with you the format for the awards for this year. Nominations can be made from now onwards till January 31, 2014.
You would recall that the 2012 awards event held in May 2013 in Chennai with the H’ble Finance Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram as the chief guest unveiled the following winners: LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD presented to Mr. Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar, Consulting Editor, The Economic Times. HALL OF FAME presented to Mr. P. A. Seshan for his extraordinary contribution to the field of Financial Journalism for over 70 years. INDIAN ECONOMIC POLICY AND MACRO ECONOMIC ISSUE awarded to the Article “The Last Mile” in Business World (Raghu Mohan was the recipient).
For the year 2013, the Shriram Sanlam Awards have been broad based to include the International Print (English Mainlines/Financials/ Magazines), Wires and Online media as well. Hence, the new categories going forward are:
1. ARTICLES ON BUSINESS/ FINANCE/ CAPITAL MARKETS/ ECONOMY BY INDIAN MEDIA (ENGLISH MAINLINES/ FINANCIALS/ MAGAZINES/ WIRES)
2. ARTICLES BY INTERNATIONAL MEDIA JOURNALISTS CENTERED ON INDIAN BUSINESS OR ECONOMY CATEGORY
Nominations can be made by Editors and/or Chief of Bureaus. We will also permit self nomination by individual journalists as long as they are accompanied with two references either from senior corporate executives or journalists or editors (may be from same or different publication).
Unlike last year, the specific categories of awards will be decided by the awards committee after the receipt of all nominations. This is only to enable recognition of good work done in the field of financial journalism without constraining ourselves by specifying sub categories in advance. Each Category will have a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh along with a citation. Parameters for the Awards remain unchanged, i.e. Insight, Analysis, Depth, Uniqueness, Originality, Comprehensive and Balanced Approach, Level of research, Follow up of story by others leading to wider discussion, Overall Impact of the story apart from the above.
I am pleased to inform you that the Lifetime Achievement Award winner for the last year, Mr. Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar has been inducted into the awards jury for the Shriram Sanlam Awards. The other distinguished panel of independent jury members now comprises: Mr. Gopal Srinivasan, Chairman & Managing Director – TVS Capital Ltd.; Dr. Nachiket Mor, Chairman, CARE India P. Ltd.; Mr. Srinivasan K. Swamy, Chairman & Managing Director, R. K. Swamy BBDO; Ms. Ashu Suyash, CEO, L&T Mutual Fund; & Mr. Adit Jain, Chairman, IMA Asia.
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.
