Commercial LPG 'evaporates' in Maharashtra

Mumbai : The short supply of commercial LPG cylinders turned ‘grim’ on Wednesday as hundreds of small and medium eateries – on whom the ordinary working Mumbaikars depend on for daily meals – shut down or drastically trimmed menus, on Wednesday. With an estimated 50,000-plus hotels, restaurants and small food joints, the crunch is beginning to be felt severely, said Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) vice-president and Hotel and Restaurant Association Western...

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Commercial LPG 'evaporates' in Maharashtra

Mumbai : The short supply of commercial LPG cylinders turned ‘grim’ on Wednesday as hundreds of small and medium eateries – on whom the ordinary working Mumbaikars depend on for daily meals – shut down or drastically trimmed menus, on Wednesday. With an estimated 50,000-plus hotels, restaurants and small food joints, the crunch is beginning to be felt severely, said Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) vice-president and Hotel and Restaurant Association Western India (HRAWI) spokesperson Pradeep Shetty. “We are in continuous touch with the concerned authorities, but the situation is very gloomy. There is no response from the Centre or the Ministry of Petroleum on when the situation will ease. We fear that more than 50 pc of all eateries in Mumbai will soon down the shutters. The same will apply to the rest of the state and many other parts of India,” Shetty told ‘ The Perfect Voice’ . The shortage of commercial LPG has badly affected multiple sectors, including the hospitality and food industries, mass private or commercial kitchens and even the laundry businesses, industry players said. At their wits' ends, many restaurateurs resorted to the reliable old iron ‘chulhas’ (stoves) fired by either coal or wood - the prices of which have also shot up and result in pollution - besides delaying the cooking. Anticipating a larger crisis, even domestic LPG consumers besieged retail dealers in Mumbai, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ratnagiri, Kolhapur, Akola, Nagpur to book their second cylinder, with snaky queues in many cities. The stark reality of the 12-days old Gulf war with the disturbed supplies has hit the people and industries in the food supply chains that feed crores daily. “The ordinary folks leave home in the morning after breakfast, then they rely on the others in the food chain for their lunch or dinner. Many street retailers have also shut down temporarily,” said Shetty. Dry Snacks A quick survey of some suburban ‘khau gullies’ today revealed that the available items were mostly cold sandwiches, fruit or vegetable salads, cold desserts or ice-creams, cold beverages and packed snacks. Few offered the regular ‘piping hot’ foods that need elaborate cooking, or charging higher than normal menu rates, and even the app-based food delivery system was impacted. Many people were seen gloomily munching on colorful packets of dry snacks like chips, chivda, sev, gathiya, samosas, etc. for lunch, the usually cheerful ‘chai ki dukaans’ suddenly disappeared from their corners, though soft drinks and tetrapaks were available. Delay, Scarcity Maharashtra LPG Dealers Association President Deepak Singh yesterday conceded to “some delays due to supply shortages” of commercial cylinders, but assured that there is no scarcity of domestic cylinders. “We are adhering to the Centre’s guidelines for a 25 days booking period between 2 cylinders (domestic). The issue is with commercial cylinders but even those are available though less in numbers,” said Singh, adding that guidelines to prioritise educational institutions, hospitals, and defence, are being followed, but others are also getting their supplies. Despite the assurances, Shetty said that the current status is extremely serious since the past week and the intermittent disruptions have escalated into a near-total halt in supplies in many regions since Monday. Adding to the dismal picture is the likelihood of local hoteliers associations in different cities like Pune, Palghar, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and more resorting to tough measures from Thursday, including temporary shutdown of their outlets, which have run out of gas stocks.

The Prince Poised To Inherit Kohli’s Crown

Waleed Hussain
Jul 6, 2025
3 min read

Picture this: a packed stadium, the air thick with anticipation, and a young man with a boyish grin strides to the crease. Shubman Gill, with his floppy hair and effortless swagger, looks like he just walked out of a Bollywood movie, ready to script a blockbuster. As India’s cricketing faithful pin their hopes on this 26-year-old prodigy, it’s hard not to feel a lump in the throat. Could this be the heir to Virat Kohli’s throne? The answer, my friends, is a resounding yes. Gill isn’t just a batsman; he’s a vibe, a hope, a future painted in bold, emotional strokes.

Natural heir

First, let’s talk about the elephant in the room—Kohli’s legacy. Virat Kohli isn’t just a cricketer; he’s a phenomenon. The man who chases runs like they owe him money, who wears his heart on his sleeve, and who’s turned Indian cricket into a global juggernaut. Replacing him is like trying to replace the sun—good luck with that, right? But here’s where Gill steps in, not as a replacement, but as a natural heir. He’s got the technique, the temperament, and—dare I say it?—the charm to carry the mantle. Watching Gill bat is like watching a masterclass in elegance, with cover drives so smooth they could make a poet cry. His 104 off 92 balls against Australia in the 2023? Pure poetry, with a side of swagger.

Now, let’s get emotional. Kohli’s journey has been India’s journey—grit, passion, and a refusal to back down. Gill, born in Fazilka, Punjab, carries that same fire, but with a millennial twist. He’s the kid who grew up idolizing Kohli, probably mimicking that iconic beard in front of a mirror. Yet, he’s carved his own path. His 208 off 360 balls in a Test against New Zealand in 2023 wasn’t just a double ton; it was a statement: “I’m here, and I’m ready.” That innings had everything—patience, aggression, and a twinkle in the eye that said, “I’ve got this.” It’s the kind of knock that makes you want to hug your TV and whisper, “You’re our boy, Shubman.”

Bollywood hero

Humor me for a second. If Kohli is the fiery Bollywood hero who storms into battle, Gill is the cool Gen-Z protagonist who wins the war with a smirk and a selfie. His Instagram game? Stronger than most bowlers’ bouncers. He’s out there posting gym selfies and travel vlogs, connecting with fans in a way that feels fresh yet familiar. Kohli brought intensity; Gill brings relatability. He’s the guy you’d want to grab a chai with, chatting about cricket and memes. But don’t let the laid-back vibe fool you—when he’s at the crease, he’s all business, dissecting bowlers with the precision of a surgeon and the flair of a rockstar.

What makes Gill the perfect heir, though, isn’t just his runs or his vibe. It’s his ability to carry a nation’s hopes without buckling. Kohli’s era was about proving India could dominate; Gill’s era will be about sustaining that dominance with grace. His 91* in the 2021 Gabba Test chase was a glimpse of that future—a young gun standing tall amid chaos, guiding India to a historic win. It’s the kind of moment that gives you goosebumps and makes you believe in destiny. Gill doesn’t just play cricket; he tells stories with his bat, stories of a new India—confident, fearless, and a little cheeky.

Not perfect

Of course, he’s not perfect. He’s had his share of ducks and near-misses, like that heartbreaking 99 against South Africa in 2024. But isn’t that what makes him human? Kohli wasn’t built in a day either. Gill’s learning, growing, and every time he walks out to bat, you can feel a nation holding its breath, rooting for him like he’s family.

He’s got the hunger, the skill, and the heart to take Indian cricket forward, not as Kohli 2.0, but as Shubman 1.0—a unique blend of grace, grit, and a grin that could melt even the toughest fast bowler’s heart.

So, here’s to Shubman Gill, the prince poised to inherit Kohli’s crown. He’s not just carrying a legacy; he’s building one, one cover drive at a time. And if that doesn’t make your heart swell and your lips crack a smile, well, you’re probably not watching closely enough.

(The writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai.)

1 Comment

billyy brown

Jul 11, 2025

Seeing Shubman Gill emerge as the promising successor to Virat Kohli really brings a new sense of excitement to Indian cricket. It’s impressive how this young talent carries the weight of expectations with such poise and skill. In today’s sports landscape, engagement goes beyond just watching—websites like https://batery.org.in/ offer legal and licensed platforms for those interested in sports betting, providing access to numerous events and games in a regulated environment. It’s crucial to approach these platforms responsibly, keeping entertainment as the main goal. As for Gill, his solid technique and calm presence indicate he’s ready to take on the challenge, though only time will reveal how he adapts to the pressure. Watching this shift between cricket legends is captivating and…