Hey folks!

Imagine that you’re on a train, halfway between Mumbai and Manmad, when you realise you forgot to withdraw cash. The chaiwala’s cart is rolling by and your phone signal’s flickering like a disco light. You’d panic, right?

Not anymore.

Meet India’s newest financial superhero ― the train ATM!

That’s right. Indian Railways just launched the first ATMs inside a moving train. No more frantic web searches for the nearest bank at the next station. No more rationing samosas because you’re down to your last ₹50 note. Just walk to the next coach, tap your card and voila! You’ve just withdrawn cash on wheels!

But wait… with security being a concern, isn’t this a robbery waiting to happen?

Well, Indian Railways thought of that too. These ATMs come with vibration proof bolts (because Indian trains shake like they’re auditioning for a Bhangra competition), 24/7 CCTV surveillance and fire extinguishers on standby.

So yeah, this isn’t just about convenience. It’s a sneaky smart move to tackle India’s cash dependency. Think about it. Villages with lesser access to ATMs, tourists stranded with dead wallets and that one uncle who still thinks UPI is a type of spy agency. The train ATM bridges the gap between digital dreams and cash realities.

But let’s get real for a while. Remember when UPI launched and we all thought physical wallets would retire? Turns out, cash is like that one relative who always shows up unannounced. You can’t ignore it, but you can’t fully rely on it either. And the train ATM? It’s the diplomatic middle ground. It’s there when you need it, invisible when you don’t.

Here’s a soundtrack to put you in the mood 🎵

Mann Dhaaga by Amit Trivedi, Yashraj Mukhate, Jasleen Royal and Anvitaa Dutt

You can thank our reader Aman for this not-so-underrated, yet great recommendation!

What caught our eye this week 👀

Can Seagrass save the planet?

You’ve probably heard of rainforests saving the planet. But what if we told you that one of the best climate warriors is… underwater grass?

Yup. We’re talking about Seagrass. The marine plant that grows in shallow ocean waters.

Let’s start with what it actually does. Seagrass produces oxygen through photosynthesis, just like plants on land. During this process, it also captures carbon dioxide from the water and stores it in its roots and the surrounding sediment, keeping it locked away for years. On top of that, seagrass provides shelter and food for marine life by offering them a safe space to breed, feed and grow. In fact, despite covering less than 0.1% of the seafloor, seagrass meadows store 10-18% of the ocean’s carbon. And they do it 35 times faster than rainforests!

It doesn’t stop there. These meadows are home to more than hundreds of species of fish, endangered turtles and loads of other marine creatures. They even help prevent erosion by buffering coastlines from waves. Economically, seagrass ecosystems contribute too, thanks to their role in fisheries, tourism and climate control.

And now, studies have even found how Seagrass conservation can help restore biodiversity and accelerate climate change.

But here’s the catch. We’re losing them. Fast. A recent study reveals that seagrasses have been declining at a rate of 1-2% per year for the past century and nearly 5% of its species are now listed as endangered. The interesting bit? It adds that seagrass conservation is not only the way to stop it, but the key to revive global biodiversity and climate targets too!

So what does seagrass conservation even mean? It’s about stopping the damage to these ecosystems caused by pollution, unregulated fishing and coastal development as well as restoring the parts we’ve already lost. Globally, more than 2,000 seagrass restoration projects are now in motion, and countries are paying attention.

And back home in India? We’ve got our fair share too. India is home to about 516 square kilometers of seagrass meadows, especially in areas like the Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A 2022 study found that our seagrass can absorb over 430 tonnes of carbon dioxide per square kilometre each year. But pollution, careless tourism and destructive fishing practices are eating into this natural asset.

The good news? Projects in various states are mapping seagrass beds, studying their health and even restoring them with eco-friendly methods. And as per the study, even if we manage to protect 30% of the world’s seagrass by 2030, it could make a massive difference to marine life, food security and climate goals.

So the next time you’re at the beach, look beyond the waves. Somewhere beneath them, a seagrass meadow might be breathing life into our future. And maybe it’s time we returned the favour😊

Infographic 📊

This Day in Financial History 📜

April 15, 1955 — The first franchised McDonald’s opens

On this day in 1955, Ray Kroc opened the first franchised McDonald’s restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois. It might’ve seemed like just another burger joint, but that red and white tiled building would eventually change the way the world eats, franchises and scales businesses.

You see, before this, the McDonald brothers, Richard and Maurice, had already created a revolutionary “Speedee Service System” where customers placed their orders at windows. And it was fast food before fast food was even a thing — streamlined, standardised and efficient. And then, Kroc, a 52-year-old milkshake machine salesman, saw potential in this model that others didn’t.

So he proposed franchising it. That first franchise in Des Plaines opened with burgers priced at 15 cents and a clear vision of quality and consistency. And within the first day, it made $366 in sales. Not bad for 1955.

But here’s where the story gets financially fascinating. McDonald’s wasn’t just about burgers. It became a masterclass in franchising, supply chain management, and even real estate. By 1961, Kroc bought out the McDonald brothers for $2.7 million. But instead of making money just off burgers, he formed the Franchise Realty Corporation, which bought land and leased it to franchisees. And it was a clever model that made McDonald’s one of the biggest real estate holders in the world.

Today, McDonald’s has become synonymous with globalisation, for better or worse, and has influenced everything from menu localisation (think McAloo Tikki in India) to marketing innovation (like Happy Meal). And it also laid the blueprint for many fast-food chains that followed. All thanks to a milkshake machine salesman who believed in burgers and a blueprint.

Fun fact: The original Des Plaines outlet was torn down in 1984, but a replica still exists as a museum. Ray Kroc passed away the same year, but his vision lives on every time someone asks, “Would you like fries with that?”

Readers Recommend 🗒️

This week, our friend Bhratesh Agrawal is back with another recommendation: Blackberry, a documentary that shows the rise and fall of the once popular, Blackberry smartphone.

Thanks for the rec, Bhratesh!

That’s it from us this week. We’ll see you next Sunday!

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