News Broadcasting
Shekhar on a roll with ‘Poll Khol’
Indian television has recently seen a surge in shows based on political satire. With elections round the corner, apart from bringing hard news, almost all news channels have roped in a ‘funny’ face for a tongue in cheek look at Indian politicians and the games they play.
NDTV India’s Gustaakhi Maaf, NDTV 24×7’s Double Take, Aaj Tak’s JBC (Javed Broadcasting Corporation) with Jaaved Jaffrey, Zee News’ Khabar Tadka Chunaav Ki Bhatti Se with comedian Jaspal Bhatti and the latest Star News’ Poll Khol with the king of satire Shekhar Suman. Five shows, one aim – to tickle the viewers’ funny bone with politics as its base.
Poll Khol launched on 1 April and the first episode was refreshingly different in the way it kept viewers abreast of the ‘khichdi’ politicians are cooking as polling D Day gets closer. From LK Advani’s rath yatra to Rahul Gandhi’s Amethi agenda, not to mention a thoroughly confused yesteryear’s actor Dharmendra, Suman didn’t spare a soul.
Poll Khol‘s killer schedule started with a dig at Bihar’s most famous political face Laloo Prasad Yadav and his (till very recently) one-time foe Ram Vilas Paswan. Now the duo have joined hands to fight together for the upcoming elections. Suman threw light on a few hostile moments between them earlier when both had openly ridiculed each other on national television and sworn that they would never support each other in this life. Well, the tables have turned since then and how… Now it seems Laloo is swearing that he will support Paswan not only in this life but also in his next life! Suman also brought on a Laloo supporter through a video conference who proclaimed that whatever Laloo and Paswan were doing was for the welfare of the country and its citizens. Ya… don’t we believe you! 
Next in line to come under Suman’s scrutiny was the new-Gandhi-kid-on-the-block – Rahul, who’s contesting for a seat from Amethi in the upcoming elections. Rahul is very clear about his goals; all he does is know what his target is and follow it… whatever happens after that… ‘dekha jayega’ (we’ll see)! Young man, that’s not an attitude to have when you’re talking about ruling a country. Hasn’t your Madre dear told you? Veeru paaji (Dharmendra) was the ultimate treat on Poll Khol. Mr Clueless could well be his second name. Now the story is that Dharmendra has recently followed his ‘Basanti’ (Hema Mailini) into politics and has joined the BJP, but with only one aim in mind… that the party gives him his own district, whether BJP or Congress or for that matter anyone else, is of no concern to him. What an example to set for the youth! And what’s more, Mr Clueless doesn’t even know the weapon that the BJP is pitching against the Congress… that of Sonia Gandhi not being an Indian by birth. When asked what he thought about Sonia being a ‘foreigner’… Dharam paaji was visibly disturbed and went on to say that Indians had no brains and didn’t respect women.. blah.. blah.. blah! Pray… is he for the Congress or the BJP? It’s high time he makes up his mind. Must give credit to Star News’ initiative to show the real agenda behind some stars entering politics.
Suman also took off on the BJP and their Ayodhaya issue. What has been observed that only when the elections are round the corner, is the Ayodhaya issue brought up and promises galore given by the leaders of the BJP. Once the mission is accomplished (i.e. elections won) the Ayodhaya issue is sent for a ‘vanvaas’ (exile) till the next elections. Suman had a t?te-?-t?te with BJP’s spokesperson MA Naqvi on the sets of Poll Khol and questioned him about this. Naqvi was obviously quick to defend himself and Atalji’s motives and said that no issue was forgotten by the party. Well, the usual PR stuff but Suman didn’t miss a chance to take a dig at the inseparable duo – Vajpayee and Advani. Poll Khol has a cool set with different caricatures of politicians projected on a screen behind. Also at intervals some clips are projected which highlight the hypocrisy of Indian politicians. Suman rounds off the show with questions from viewers from around the country. One viewer from Delhi asked what would happen if Advani’s rath yatra and Sonia’s rally ever came face to face? Suman at his satirical best said that no doubt both of them would bad mouth each other behind their backs but if they were to come face to face, they would like diplomats come forward and greet each other, shake hands and exchange pleasantries. Another viewer asked Suman when would he be joining politics? For now, that’s the furthest on Suman’s mind as he enjoys taking digs at everyone and anyone… imagine him being on the receiving end!! Absolute no, no! Star News seems to have got a winner on its hands with Poll Khol and no matter how many talk shows Shekhar Suman hosts… he’s at his innovative best in this one and only seems to get better with time! |
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.
