G. Ananthakrishnan

Opinion | Something Surprising Happens When Bus Rides Are Free

A lawyer argues why free buses are a good thing for everyone. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/o... We agree

Ending this operation is not enough.

We need justice and accountability. That starts with independent investigations into the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, economic restitution for businesses impacted, abolishing ICE, and the impeachment of Kristi Noem.

Koi Mujhko Naa Kaate | By: 56 Productions | #Humour

Universal Sompo, which took over Indian Bank customer #health #insurance in India is asking for renewal premium ₹50,800 for ₹5 lakh cover, or 12%. Not a single claim made in 2 decades, but zero benefit. No response to emails. Does BJP government in India know anything about risk pools? @who.int

Economic blackout in Minnesota to protest against ICE: ‘No work, no school, no shopping’ Organizers demand ICE leave state and agency be investigated for constitutional violations

A democratic show of people power.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

GDP is an outdated way to measure modern economies - LSE Review of Books In The Measure of Progress, Diane Coyle argues that GDP is no longer fit for purpose and proposes a new conception of measurement for today’s digital economy.

GDP is an outdated way to measure economies says @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social

Read a review of her book The Measure of Progress @princetonupress.bsky.social 👉 blogs.lse.ac.uk/lsereviewofb...

She will speak @lsepublicpolicy.bsky.social tomorrow at 6.30pm – details 👇
www.lse.ac.uk/events/the-m...

We analysed 392 photos of victims leaked to us after they were displayed in a mortuary in Tehran and were able to identify 326 people. Sources claimed the true number of dead at the mortuary ran into the thousands.

Many of the victims were too disfigured to be identified.

A Breath of Change : Solutions for Cleaner Air in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills Air pollution across the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills is one of the most pressing health and development challenges in South Asia. Nearly one billion people are exposed to hazardous ai...

Indian pollution crisis is a neglected, chronic malaise that is shortening lives, killing productivity.
www.worldbank.org/en/region/sa...

Second near midair collision reported near Venezuela involving US Air Force tanker | CNN “They were really close,” one of the pilots told controllers of the encounter at approximately 26,000 feet. “We were climbing right into him.”

Radio transmissions reviewed by CNN show that the pilots of a private jet narrowly avoided a collision with a United States Air Force refueling tanker near Venezuela on Saturday – one day after a similar incident nearby.

The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.

One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc

Telangana accident LIVE: Death toll climbs to 20 in tipper lorry-RTC Bus collision at Chevella Telangana accident: Follow LIVE updates from The Hindu as dozens have been killed in an accident on the Mirjaguda–Khanapur road near Chevella

Can online maps by Openmaps, Google, start dropping pins on the worst bus crash sites in India? This country is a basket case on road safety, you can never be sure you will arrive. India also allows unsafe sleeper buses, many of which crashed and burnt recently. www.thehindu.com/news/nationa...

A Swachh plan for all Indian Railway compartments Have you tried to be responsible for your waste inside an Indian Railways train compartment? If you have, you know how tough it is to dispose of waste generated during travel, including from articl…

I travel by train mostly. The problem of garbage generated in compartments by passengers is no one's problem, really. We should be doing something about it, and not toss on to railway tracks across the country.
digitaljourno.wordpress.com/2025/08/30/a...

Image of now stolen salsa vaya

My bicycle was just stolen in Capitol Hill Seattle. Please keep an eye out for a small sized Salsa Vaya, green bicycle with a rear rack, steel fenders, dynamo hubs, 26” wheels.

Parked at a bike rack at 15th and Pike. Saw my lock cut and thrown on the ground.

G.Ananthakrishnan on X: "Just discovered that Hyderabad Metro doesn't take NCMC card. How wonderful. @revanth_anumula You are allowing a major transport operation to delink from other major cities. @ltmhyd is not forward for sure. @PMOIndia https://t.co/SxF5VaWinJ" / X Just discovered that Hyderabad Metro doesn't take NCMC card. How wonderful. @revanth_anumula You are allowing a major transport operation to delink from other major cities. @ltmhyd is not forward for sure. @PMOIndia https://t.co/SxF5VaWinJ

x.com/ganant/statu...

Stop war mongering and give peace a chance. Return to sanity and strengthen the United Nations to solve the world's problems.

“Kidnapped”: Israel Intercepts Gaza-Bound Aid Ship, Detains Greta Thunberg & Others in Int’l Waters Eleven peace activists and one journalist on board the Gaza Freedom Flotilla ship, the Madleen, were detained by Israeli soldiers as their ship carrying vital humanitarian aid for starving Palestinians...

"Kidnapped in Int'l Waters": Israel Intercepts Gaza-Bound Aid Ship, Detains Greta Thunberg & Others

Every state government in India wants to build more fly overs, but not run more buses and charge cars for congestion. Bengaluru crisis now triggers talk of a flyover from Hebbal to Airport! From no less than Deputy CM!

The philatelic bureau building of India Post in Chennai showing its bad condition and the absence of digital payments facility. The beautiful pre-Independence building has been left neglected with the masonry chipping away and ornate Roman columns losing their features.

At Chennai Anna Road HPO, India Post does not do UPI. Only cash. Their technical systems don't work. They had problems so scrapped digital payments. This beautiful philatelic bureau bldg houses operations during renovation but lies neglected.

How Govt In India’s Capital Keeps Homeless Out Of Shelters: By Insisting On IDs & Phone Numbers Despite government claims, Indian shelters can house only 103,426 of 1.7 million homeless. The real number of homeless may be at least twice that figure in urban areas alone. Officials allegedly manip...

Despite govt claims, Indian shelters can house only 103,426 of 1.7 million homeless: Real number of homeless twice that figure in urban areas alone. In Delhi, shelters demand Aadhaar, IDs & phone numbers from homeless, reports Mohammad Aatif Ammad Kanth

article-14.com/post/how-gov...

The 2025 U.S. #StateOfTheBirds report is here! 🐦 ABC worked with partners to summarize the latest science & ensure the long-term health of birds in the United States.

Visit StateoftheBirds.org to read the report & help us spread the word!

India's renewable energy sector hit by weak demand, cancellations, report says India's renewable energy sector is facing obstacles including weak demand for tenders, power agreement delays and project cancellations, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis said on Thursday.

What efficiency at founding country of International Solar Alliance! Millions of middle class want to invest in rooftop solar but corrupt state governments don't want that, block net metering. So we did not meet 175 GW by 2022. India's solar plans turned farcical!
www.reuters.com/business/ene...

COLBERT, on Rep. Al Green’s removal:

“Some people questioned why so much muscle was needed to remove an old man with a cane. But it turns out it was for a serious reason. When security searched him, they found that he smuggled in a spine."

@latenightercom.bsky.social

Bengaluru urban crisis can be mitigated with new transport paradigm: expand AC, wifi enabled bus transport dramatically, capex coming from a whole new parking fee system. Could achieve modal shift. Repair roads with local resident/commercial participation.
www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/k...

Health premiums surge, some renewals take a hit - The Times of India India Business News: MUMBAI: Health insurance premium costs have surged forcing some policyholders to either downgrade or drop out of their cover.

Commercial health insurance has become a corrupt enterprise favouring hospitals, other segments in care. Regulatory pressure is non-existent. Politicians pretend not to understand. Middle class is faced with higher premium, claim rejections!
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/ind...

Study highlights how Namma Metro fails Bengaluru's elderly The study found that older adults’ unfamiliarity with tech-based ticketing, entry/exit, and payment options, confusing signage, the absence of vertical mobility options and a grievance redressal syste...

In India, politicians, bureaucrats who travel by car design public transport, leading to clumsy, unfriendly, even hostile infrastructure. Every IAS officer should be required to ride a bus or train to work every week, to improve things. www.deccanherald.com/india/karnat...

BBC News announces new international model to focus on growth The changes will strengthen BBC News’ ability to serve audiences independent and impartial news, counter disinformation, and deliver on editorial priorities

It's not clear @bbcworldservice.bsky.social understands shift to Internet distribution for news TV in India as media houses are govt mouthpieces. Set-top-boxes are out, OTT subscription is in. Currently BBC is losing out. You need an app+subscription model in India www.bbc.com/mediacentre/...

No one protests anything in India anymore!

Bengaluru FAR increase: FAR cap raised by 60%; highrises to tower over Bengaluru Bengaluru real estate policy update: With the new policy, the builder can construct two additional floors by paying Rs 1,400 per square metre (28 per cent of the guidance value) for an extra 10,000 sq...

Without a full commitment to urban planning, Bengaluru and surrounding districts are poised to become unlivable. Of course, politicians can get richer. www.deccanherald.com/india/karnat...

Lessons Chennai Can Learn on Bookstores Revival in the US, UK What Makes Independent Bookstores Distinct? and How Can Our City Launch a Renaissance?

Why are more book shops opening in the US, some of them making a strong statement on progressive politics? open.substack.com/pub/thechenn...

G. Ananthakrishnan on Substack The BBC Eye documentary has uncovered a West African opioid crisis that plugs into India. My own Right to Information petition with the Indian drug regulator CDSCO shows a remarkable propensity to hid...

There was an editorial in @thehindu.com today on this, but there's a lot more to be said. #pharmaceuticals #drugs #medicine #publichealth
substack.com/@ganant/note...