# Writing by Fahad Hasin

- 2026-07-31 — [#43: Decoding student protests as an almost-Gen Z](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/decoding-student-protests-as-an-almost) — Author, First draft. A meaningful win with sobering qualifications
- 2026-06-26 — [Designing a Summer Ice Cream for India](https://altermag.com/articles/designing-a-summer-ice-cream-for-india) — Editor, Alter; author: Chandhana Sathishkumar.
- 2026-06-19 — [A Non-Malayali Looks at Kerala](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzXwaFRq9A8) — Guest, Nayadrishti; with: Sonal Kuruvilla. Fahad talks about what he found different in Kerala, areas where the state has succeeded, and things that need to improve.
- 2026-06-09 — [What can Kerala learn from its successes?](https://keralagrowth.substack.com/p/what-can-kerala-learn-from-its-successes) — Author, Kerala Growth Series. Things have gone well when government enabled private initiatives instead of taking over their functions
- 2026-06-03 — [#42: Bangalore airport is awesome!](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/42-bangalore-airport-is-awesome) — Author, First draft. So is the Kochi airport. They are both done very tastefully.
- 2026-04-18 — [#41: Responding to the rise of thinking machines](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/41-responding-to-the-rise-of-thinking) — Author, First draft. Do not let fear blind you
- 2026-03-20 — [Does Kerala not have enough land for development?](https://keralagrowth.substack.com/p/does-kerala-not-have-enough-land) — Author, Kerala Growth Series. Land availability is less of a geographical and more of an institutional problem
- 2026-03-10 — [राहगीर-बूझ: कैसे सोचें? | How to Think](https://www.puliyabaazi.in/p/how-to-think) — Co-author, Puliyabaazi; with: Puliyabaazi Hindi Podcast. The art of interdisciplinarity without embracing bullshit
- 2026-03-03 — [#40: How I am using Claude Code as a non-coder](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/40-how-i-am-using-claude-code) — Author, First draft. This is the closest I have come to "feeling the AGI"
- 2026-03-01 — [#39: Curated links](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/39-curated-links) — Author, First draft. Recommendations from what I read recently
- 2026-02-22 — [Environment and Development in Kerala](https://keralagrowth.substack.com/p/environment-and-development-in-kerala) — Author, Kerala Growth Series. Using environmental intensity of GDP to move beyond the simplistic binary
- 2026-02-01 — [Why and How Kerala is Different](https://keralagrowth.substack.com/p/why-and-how-kerala-is-different) — Author, Kerala Growth Series. It outdoes India in precociousness, both good and bad
- 2025-12-31 — [#38: The delivery app boycott is misguided](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/38-the-delivery-app-boycott-is-misguided) — Author, First draft. A consumer-led blanket boycott hurts the workers it is trying to help
- 2025-12-21 — [#37: Ambition and optimism](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/37-ambition-and-optimism) — Author, First draft. Part 2 of notes from Emergent Ventures meet-up
- 2025-12-08 — [#36: Conversations with Tyler Cowen](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/36-conversations-with-tyler-cowen) — Author, First draft. Part 1 of notes from Emergent Ventures Conference
- 2025-11-04 — [Introducing Kerala Economic Growth Series](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/introducing-kerala-economic-growth) — Author, First draft. A series of articles with data, research, anecdotes, observations, and commentary
- 2025-11-03 — [Introducing Kerala Growth Series](https://keralagrowth.substack.com/p/introducing-kerala-growth-series) — Author, Kerala Growth Series. A series of articles with data, research, anecdotes, observations, and commentary
- 2025-09-06 — [#35: Intellectual Sonder](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/35-intellectual-sonder) — Author, First draft. The art of interdisciplinarity without embracing bullshit
- 2025-08-18 — [Boosting Lekhpal performance via data-driven feedback and recognition](https://www.ideasforindia.in/topics/governance/boosting-lekhpal-performance-via-data-driven-feedback-and-recognition) — Co-author, Ideas for India; with: Sakshi Ugale.
- 2025-06-15 — [#34: A new frontier of narrative battles](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/34-a-new-frontier-of-narrative-battles) — Author, First draft. Why you should write for AIs if you care about the world
- 2025-05-25 — [#33: The reply guys are a liability](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/33-the-reply-guys-are-a-liability) — Author, First draft. When you don't understand limited objectives, success looks like a failure
- 2025-05-06 — [#32: Goodbye, dear Muffin](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/32-goodbye-dear-muffin) — Author, First draft. You were the best boi
- 2025-04-07 — [#31: Trump shenanigans through fables](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/31-trump-shenanigans-through-fables) — Author, First draft. Using timeless stories to understand what is happening
- 2025-04-05 — [#30: Is formal institutional design overrated?](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/30-formal-institutions-design) — Author, First draft. My updated beliefs on the robustness of political systems after Trump 2.0
- 2025-03-31 — [#29: We are who we hang out with](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/29-we-are-who-we-hang-out-with) — Author, First draft. What streetlights taught me about how we become who we are
- 2025-03-02 — [#28: Why Ukraine Matters for All of Us](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/why-ukraine-matters-for-all-of-us) — Author, First draft. World peace is not the default. Abandoning Ukraine threatens an abnormal era of stability. The world becomes unsafe when conquests are legitimised.
- 2025-02-09 — [#27: Seven posts to read this week](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/27-seven-posts-to-read-this-week) — Author, First draft. You can read one article in a day, can't you?
- 2025-02-03 — [#26: Budget 2025 - the compensatory state](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/26-budget-2025-the-compensatory-state) — Author, First draft. Why Rathin Roy is black pilled on Indian economy and other thoughts
- 2025-01-12 — [#25: Some Public Health Heroes](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/25-some-public-health-heroes) — Author, First draft. Stories of women who saved millions of lives fighting against all odds
- 2024-09-22 — [#24: Development is in the air](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/24-development-is-in-the-air) — Author, First draft. Reflections from a recent visit to Canada
- 2024-08-28 — [#23: Agenda-setting is serious business](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/23-agenda-setting-is-serious-business) — Author, First draft. Agenda setters shape how some of the smartest people spend their time.
- 2024-08-13 — [#22: Sports, Fairness, and Cultural Wars](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/22-sports-fairness-and-cultural-wars) — Author, First draft. Is it time to retire gender-based segregation in sports with more nuanced and relevant scientific indicators?
- 2024-07-28 — [#21: India's agriculture and job woes](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/indias-agriculture-and-job-woes) — Author, First draft. The two could be deeply inter-twinned in a vicious cycle
- 2024-07-14 — [#20: Asking the right questions](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/20-asking-the-right-questions) — Author, First draft. Three examples that show why it matters
- 2024-07-07 — [#19: Abundance, not de-growth, is worth aspiring](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/19-abundance-not-de-growth-is-worth) — Author, First draft. A future with abundant clean energy seems realistic and offers endless possibilities
- 2024-06-16 — [#18: What is so special about reality anyway?](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/18-what-is-so-special-about-reality) — Author, First draft. Why do we value 'real' experiences over dreams?
- 2024-06-10 — [#17: Six Election Reflections](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/17-six-election-reflections) — Author, First draft. Hopes, worries and observations from the national election results in India
- 2024-03-10 — [#16: Rethinking India’s Growth Path?](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/rethinking-indias-growth-path) — Author, First draft. Review of Raghuram Rajan and Rohit Lamba's recent book, and other things.
- 2023-07-23 — [#15: Why do we want what we want? What is behind India's obsession with civil services?](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/why-do-we-want-what-we-want-what) — Author, First draft. The framework of 'thin' and 'thick' desires can simplify our lives, making us happier and more content in the long run
- 2023-07-09 — [#14: What’s with the snobbishness of traditional elites and intellectuals?](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/whats-with-the-snobbishness-of-traditional) — Author, First draft. Did Modi 'embarrass' India in the US? Why are many 'wordsmith intellectuals' snobbish and resentful?
- 2023-05-22 — [#13: Karnataka Elections: Beyond Party-focused Analyses](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/karnataka-elections-beyond-party) — Author, First draft. A decisive mandate for INC, relevance of individual candidates and continued disappointment on women's representation
- 2023-02-16 — [Review: Missing in Action by Pranay Kotasthane and Raghu S Jaitley](https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/review-missing-in-action-by-pranay-kotasthane-and-raghu-s-jaitley-101676537735761.html) — Author, Hindustan Times.
- 2023-01-27 — [Quick note on 'the Republic'](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/quick-note-on-the-republic) — Author, First draft. What does it mean to be a Republic? How is it different from being democratic - if at all?
- 2022-11-14 — [#12: Reservation debate; insurmountable complexity of the world; and more](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/12-reservation-debate-insurmountable) — Author, First draft. What's the point in thinking and writing about anything when we are wrong about so many things? What’s wrong with the current discourse around caste-based reservations in India?
- 2022-08-27 — [Representing women’s voices through phones: Challenges and three solutions](https://wedge.umd.edu/representing-womens-voices-through-phones-challenges-and-three-solutions) — Co-author, UMD WEDGE; with: Divya Nair.
- 2022-07-04 — [#11: Improve judgement with "joint evaluations"](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/11-improve-judgement-with-joint-evaluations) — Author, First draft. What is joint evaluation? How can it improve the quality of judgement in public policy and otherwise?
- 2022-06-06 — [Nupur Sharma debate fails to draw vital distinction between hate speech and blasphemy](https://www.news9live.com/india/nupur-sharma-debate-fails-to-draw-vital-distinction-between-hate-speech-and-blasphemy-174762) — Author, News9 Live. The response in the Nupur Sharma row is an instance of tribalism masquerading as liberalism.
- 2022-05-30 — [#10: Tribalism masquerading as liberalism](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/10-tribalism-masquerading-as-liberalism) — Author, First draft. Liberalism is practically non-existent in mainstream discourse, principles such as freedom of speech are merely weaponised for tribal warfare.
- 2022-05-16 — [#9: Sedition law abeyance; availability bias and the value of data](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/issue-9) — Author, First draft.
- 2022-04-26 — [India’s Growth Prospects – Are They Really Deterred by Religious Majoritarianism and Polarisation?](https://openaxis.in/2022/04/26/indias-growth-prospects-are-they-really-deterred-by-religious-majoritarianism-and-polarisation/) — Author, OpenAxis.
- 2022-04-06 — [Misplaced outrage: Myths about Zomato 10-minute delivery and centrality of growth](https://www.news9live.com/opinion-analysis/myths-about-zomato-10-minute-delivery-and-centrality-of-growth-163087) — Author, News9 Live.
- 2022-04-02 — [#8: Zomato 10-min delivery and the centrality of economic growth](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/8-zomato-10-min-delivery-and-the-centrality-of-economic-growth-1093988) — Author, First draft.
- 2022-03-25 — [Lesson from Karnataka Hijab Row: Take on Hindutva Locally](https://www.newsclick.in/lesson-karnataka-hijab-row-take-hindutva-locally) — Author, Newsclick.
- 2022-03-20 — [#7: Karnataka hijab row and the recent assembly elections](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/7-karnataka-hijab-row-and-the-recent-assembly-elections-1003887) — Author, First draft.
- 2022-03-18 — [A Bipolar Contest Where Candidates Mattered: What Data Says About the UP Results](https://thewire.in/politics/uttar-pradesh-election-results-data) — Author, The Wire.
- 2022-03-16 — [Key takeaways and broad emerging trends from Uttar Pradesh election results 2022](https://www.firstpost.com/politics/key-takeaways-and-broad-emerging-trends-from-uttar-pradesh-election-results-2022-10465691.html) — Author, Firstpost.
- 2022-01-24 — [#6: 'Trads', 'raitas', and the emerging developments in Hindutva ecosystem](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/6-trads-raitas-and-the-emerging-developments-in-hindutva-ecosystem-893699) — Author, First draft.
- 2021-11-22 — [#5: Farm laws repeal and crypto regulation](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/5-farm-laws-repeal-and-crypto-regulation-849578) — Author, First draft.
- 2021-11-09 — [#4: COP26, Climate Change and Malthusian thinking, Repealing UAPA, and more](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/4-cop26-climate-change-and-malthusian-thinking-repealing-uapa-and-more-826413) — Author, First draft.
- 2021-10-25 — [#3: Subjects, not citizens; an unjust law; toxic positivity and more](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/3-subjects-not-citizens-an-unjust-law-toxic-positivity-and-more-817221) — Author, First draft.
- 2021-10-19 — [#2: Congress' soft-Hindutva, Savarkar's real sin, and more](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/2-congress-soft-hindutva-savarkar-s-real-sin-and-more-786466) — Author, First draft.
- 2021-09-28 — [#1: Introductory gyaan and all that](https://fahadhasin.substack.com/p/issue1) — Author, First draft.
- 2021-07-24 — [Understanding the Caveats and Paradoxes of the Pew Survey on Religious Attitudes](https://m.thewire.in/article/society/pew-research-religion-diversity-attitude-belief-caveat-paradoxes/amp) — Author, The Wire.
- 2021-05-14 — [COVID-19: How to Rescue India From the Ongoing Vaccine Policy Mess](https://thewire.in/health/covid-19-how-to-rescue-india-from-the-ongoing-vaccine-policy-mess) — Author, The Wire.
- 2021-05-01 — [We’ve Wasted Crucial Time, But We Can Still Save Some Lives](https://www.outlookindia.com/national/opinion-weve-wasted-crucial-time-but-we-can-still-save-some-lives-news-381745) — Author, Outlook India.
- 2021-02-24 — [India's slow COVID-19 vaccination rate puts gains at peril](https://www.firstpost.com/india/indias-slow-covid-19-vaccination-rate-puts-gains-at-peril-private-sector-involvement-must-to-expand-coverage-9341511.html) — Author, Firstpost.
- 2020-11-15 — [Supreme Court’s Selective Approach Will Not Prevent the 'Path of Destruction'](https://thewire.in/law/supreme-court-arnab-goswami-selective-approach) — Author, The Wire.
- 2020-11-12 — [Bihar poll result analysis: Vote share dips for most, but BJP's margins rise](https://www.firstpost.com/politics/bihar-poll-result-analysis-vote-share-dips-for-most-but-bjps-margins-rise-fewer-women-mlas-win-despite-high-female-turnout-9008781.html) — Author, Firstpost.
- 2020-11-12 — [Bihar’s Silent Voters: Explaining the BJP-JDU Alliance](https://www.newsclick.in/Bihar-silent-voters-BJP-JDU-Alliance) — Author, Newsclick.
- 2020-10-23 — [Bihar Elections: EC can't lose sight of COVID-19](https://www.firstpost.com/india/bihar-elections-ec-has-a-responsibility-to-hold-free-and-fair-polls-but-it-cant-lose-sight-of-covid-19-either-8944481.html) — Author, Firstpost.
- 2020-07-17 — [COVID-19 cases spike in July with rising test positivity rate in Bihar](https://www.firstpost.com/india/covid-19-cases-spike-in-july-with-rising-test-positivity-rate-in-bihar-govt-needs-long-term-surveillance-containment-plan-8607271.html) — Author, Firstpost.
- 2020-06-26 — [Public mobility in COVID-19 'unlock'](https://www.firstpost.com/health/public-mobility-in-covid-19-unlock-indians-return-to-workplaces-with-gusto-slow-to-resume-retail-and-recreation-data-shows-8528661.html) — Co-author, Firstpost; with: I. Bansal.
- 2020-06-01 — [Of 5 COVID-19 lockdowns in India, 1st phase most effective](https://www.firstpost.com/health/of-5-covid-19-lockdowns-in-india-1st-phase-most-effective-shows-data-but-policy-changes-have-not-eased-public-movement-8434601.html) — Co-author, Firstpost; with: I. Bansal.
- 2020-05-20 — [Bigotry, Corruption, Fake News and Patriarchy: Pataal Lok Mirrors India](https://www.newsclick.in/Patal-Lok-Bigotry-Corruption-Fake-News-Patriarchy) — Author, Newsclick.
- 2020-05-07 — [A reality check on coronavirus conspiracy theories](https://www.firstpost.com/world/as-us-china-tensions-intensify-over-coronavirus-outbreak-heres-a-quick-reality-check-on-some-conspiracy-theories-8336421.html) — Author, Firstpost.
- 2020-04-03 — [COVID-19 mortality rates and age demographics: what the data tells us](https://www.firstpost.com/world/coronovirus-outbreak-covid-19-mortality-rates-and-age-demographics-what-does-data-tell-us-8211641.html) — Author, Firstpost.
- 2020-02-29 — [Delhi violence: The hurdles Muslims hoping for justice face](https://www.firstpost.com/india/delhi-violence-ajit-dovals-jo-hua-so-hua-remark-sums-up-states-mindset-predicament-facing-muslims-hoping-for-justice-8102301.html) — Author, Firstpost.
- 2020-02-20 — [Key takeaways from Delhi polls](https://www.firstpost.com/politics/key-takeaways-from-delhi-polls-voters-give-decisive-mandate-concerns-on-winnability-of-women-candidates-unfounded-8059871.html) — Author, Firstpost.
- 2019-12-24 — [I Am A Student Protesting CAA. I Am Not 'Misguided'](https://www.ndtv.com/blog/i-am-a-student-protesting-caa-i-am-not-misguided-2153773) — Author, NDTV.
- 2019-05-27 — [Explained: The BJP's Stunning Performance in Uttar Pradesh](https://thewire.in/politics/explained-the-bjps-stunning-performance-in-uttar-pradesh) — Author, The Wire.
- 2019-01-22 — [Have Modi’s Mistakes Made Rahul Gandhi More Appealing to First-Time Voters?](https://livewire.thewire.in/livewire/have-the-modi-governments-failures-turned-rahul-gandhi-into-a-viable-pm-option/) — Author, Livewire.
- 2018-08-09 — [The Indian Youth Congress Really is Going Through a Paradigm Shift](https://livewire.thewire.in/livewire/the-indian-youth-congress-really-is-going-through-a-paradigm-shift/) — Author, Livewire.