Sonam Raina

I make facts and figures sing stories

Writer, Editor, Content Strategist

Climate Action •

Why Banning Single-Use Plastic Fails - Climate Action

Every tourist season brings an outcry to ban plastic. First, TV and phone screens fill with scenery that makes city-dwellers sigh – a meadow in Himachal, riotous with wildflowers, or a lake so still it mirrors the sky. Then the camera pans, and there they are – chip packets gleaming in the sun, juice cartons flattened underfoot, and plastic chai cups scattered across the grass.
India has responded by banning single-use plastic time and again. The country rolled out a nationwide ban on certain s...
Medium •

Tamil Nadu’s Impressive RE Trajectory has a few Bumps

I was genuinely excited to dive into Tamil Nadu’s renewable energy story, and honestly, the state delivered. Right off the bat, the numbers impressed. Renewables comprised 24.75% of the state’s electricity mix in April 2025. That’s a decent leap from hovering below 20% just a year ago in April 2024. This momentum is clear when we compare April 2025 head-to-head with April 2024-In terms of new wind capacity, Tamil Nadu generated 1,136 MW in FY 2024–25, just behind Karnataka’s impressive 1,331 MW....
Medium •

Kerala’s Visionary Path to 100% Renewables by 2040 Demands ₹522 Billion Investment and Tighter…

This blog is part of a 36-part series exploring the state of renewable energy across India’s 28 states and 8 Union Territories.Read Karnataka’s story here.Kerala, the state known for lush backwaters and high human development indices, is now taking on a new identity-one that’s tied to clean energy.They have laid out a pretty bold roadmap:Kerala has long relied on imported electricity (most of it fossil-fuel-based), so this is no small shift. Currently, it generates only about 30% of its electric...
Medium •

Karnataka Soars in Solar and Wind, Stalls on Rooftops

Story Highlights • Karnataka ranks third nationally in renewable energy generation (44,096 million units, 2024–25). • Pavagada Solar Park (2,050 MW) showcases scale but exposes ecological and social trade-offs. • Decentralized renewables lag despite Central schemes; rooftop adoption is stifled by supply gaps and free electricity.I’ve been living in Bengaluru since the end of 2021, so when I decided to launch a series on the “state of renewable energy across 28 states and 8 UTs,” it felt only rig...
TableCheck •

Sakura season 2025: Top 15 restaurants in Tokyo and Kyoto

The cherry blossom season holds deep cultural significance for the Japanese, marking the arrival of spring. Also known as sakura, these cherry blossoms, with their gentle and benign beauty, stand out amidst the otherwise ordinary urban labyrinths of big cities, prompting dwellers to pause and marvel at the fleeting beauty of life. It is commonplace to witness people gathering with friends underneath cherry blossom trees during the Sakura season.*Dates for Sakura may vary. Please check the Japan...
TableCheck •

The Ultimate Guide to Michelin Star Dining in Kyoto, Japan

A visit to Kyoto is like a long heritage walk. With its mystical shrines temples, machiya houses, and zen gardens, Kyoto's timeless charm can transport anyone on a soul-fulfilling journey through culture and tradition. This facet of Kyoto is not widely known among international tourists but this historic city is the birthplace of five distinct styles of Japanese cuisine: kaiseki ryori, daikyo ryori, obanzai, shojin ryori, honzen ryori. There is much to discover about a region's cuisine as the fo...

A culinary journey: Top sushi Omakase restaurants in Kyoto and Osaka

Japan’s enchantment has beckoned travelers for thousands of years. Despite Tokyo's allure, large cities like Kyoto and Osaka welcome travelers to discover a mosaic of cultural gems, old-world charm, urban monuments, and great food. Kyoto has a timeless quality with its classical Buddha temples and shrines, postcard-like gardens, hidden back alleys, palaces, castles, clean streets, vibrant seasonal foliage, and local culinary gems.  Yet, fascinating modern architecture and riveting nightlife have...
TableCheck •

The Ultimate Guide to Tokyo's Top Omakase Restaurants

For international diners visiting Tokyo, the quest for the ultimate sushi experience naturally leads to Omakase restaurants, the pinnacle of Japanese gastronomic indulgence. The very word "Omakase" encapsulates the essence of this unique culinary style and service, meaning "I'll leave it up to you." Here, the chef takes the reins, curating an exquisite menu that unfolds like a theatrical performance.  Seated at the intimate counter, one is treated to a mesmerizing performance as the Sushi chef w...
Zag Daily •

Inside Micromobility America: Trends, Innovations and Insights from VMAX

Last year saw VMAX have its big American launch at Micromobility America, so this year, we were incredibly excited to make our way back to this conference, with a larger range of e-scooters and an eagerness to engage with like-minded enthusiasts. The event took place over two days, 14-15 November, in Costa Mesa, south of Los Angeles.As the premier conference and expo focused on micromobility, the summit brought together industry experts, retailers, an enviable lineup of influential speakers, and...
247 Automotive News - Car Scrap Advice - Get Exper •

DIY Installation vs. Professional Setup: What’s Best for Your Home Charging Station

The 2023 Global Automotive Consumer Study, featuring respondents from 24 countries, revealed that 60% of Indian electric vehicle (EV) owners plan to charge their vehicles at home. However, 22% of respondents cited the lack of knowledge about installing an EV charger as their reason for not charging at home. The good news is that home charging station installation isn’t complex. You have two primary options: do it yourself (DIY) or hire a professional. We’ll explore both methods of home charging...
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