News Broadcasting
Get set for 9/11 anniversary coverage bombardment on news channels
The anniversary of the most significant event of last year “9/11” (11 September) is a few days away and all the news channels are gearing up for it. The picture is different though on the non-news Indian channels which do not see the event as being part of their priority list. When contacted by indiantelevision.com, big broadcasters like Star and Zee said that as of now no specials had been lined up. Contrast this with the situation in the US with the four blind mice of American television NBC, CBS, FOX and ABC unveiling plans over a month in advance.
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A Delhi based producer who does news and current affairs based programming for one of the news channels does not think that the 9/11 anniversary should be hyped up by Indian channels as the event is too US-centric.
He says, “Have US channels done much or anything on Indian disasters‘ anniversaries? What about tragic events like the Bhopal gas tragedy? It‘s also to be seen what channels like CNN and BBC do on 13 December, a year after the heinous attack on the Indian parliament or does it at all find mention in their news bulletins.”
That is one argument. The fact is that all the news channels are keyed up and ready to go as far as the event is concerned. As far as the “purely Indian” channels are concerned, both 24-hour Hindi news channels Zee News and Aaj Tak are putting together programming for the day. The focus for Aaj Tak will be on how life as changed one year after the attack on America. Zee News has 50 special packages planned.
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Star News, for which NDTV provides content, is covering 9/11 through a feed from promoter Rupert Murdoch‘s Fox Network while CNBC India will get its from the parent NBC Network.
While not many ads are expected to be seen in the global feed, it will be business as usual with full commercial time in India. “There will be ads because it is not breaking news,‘‘ Haresh Chawla, CEO, CNBC India, has been quoted as saying. Chawla says the whole day would be devoted to 11 September and its impact on business in India.
It is not surprising to see though, that a bulk of the programming load in India is being done by the likes of BBC World, CNN, Discovery and National Geographic.
CNN‘s concentration is on the ceremonials being performed within the US. The documentaries airing also focus on the country and foreigners are only tackled as to how living in the US has changed for them. BBC‘s coverage however, has a more global focus. It takes into account what the sentiment of people residing in Kabul, Jerusalem, Cairo are like.
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Discovery‘s coverage is perhaps the most varied and interesting of the lot. Through a series of specials it examines different kinds of terrorism – be it religious or backed by the state, so that the viewer gets an overall perspective of the evolution of this kind of activity.
National Geographic moves on a different track altogether. The focus of its coverage is on how dogs played a crucial role in rescue efforts in the aftermath of 9/11, sniffing out survivors trapped beneath the rubble and helping relief teams dig out the dead.
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.
