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Sony Music to launch Ajay Singhas In Rahon Mein
Sony Music India, promises to present listeners with new music with each of its release, is proud to launch India’s first for the road album ‘In Rahon Mein’. The album is composed by the multi-faceted singer composer and producer Ajay Singha (Miko) featuring popular voices of Ash King, Meiyang Chang, Raman, Mahadevan and Shriram Iyer. The sound of the album is acoustic with plenty of live playing sessions weaved through its recurrent theme of journeys.
The title track ‘In Rahon Mein’ also has a video featuring TV personality Ruslan Mumtaz which was premiered at the album listening session. The evening also witnessed performances by Chang, Ajay Singha,Shriram Iyer, Raman Mahadevan, Mohit Pathak and Trisca Fernandes who enthralled the audience and kept them wanting for more!
An album of and for the road, is designed for listening contentment while driving or when in a relaxed environment. Starting from the Indian semi-classical and rock fusion opening track (Teri Yaadein), to Pahadi folk combined with country rock track (In Rahon Mein), it is a confluence of different musical genres. The 7 track album also explores genres like Sufi rock, Pop rock, Funk and Jazz fusion, Folk rock.
Commenting on the same, “Sanujeet Bhujabal, Marketing Director Sony Music India said, “We see great deal of potential in Ajay’s music. He has the creativity to intertwine genres & discover new forms of music. This is our first association with him and we are certain that his work will be appreciated by the music enthusiasts.”
‘’In Rahon Mein is a musical collaboration of various genres of music along with soulful voices from the best in the industry. The compositions in the album take you through the journey of memories.’’, says Ajay Singha who began his career with singing and jamming with rock bands and was one of the first to introduce blues and jazz rock to the Mumbai music circuit.
Whether you’re driving across the country or just getting out of town, this compilation is just the push you need for a smooth trip. A must have for all travel-buffs!
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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.
