Piali Das Gupta
@pialidg.bsky.social
Basically, I'm a lot about #localgov, public services, place, travel, art, culture, photography and London. And sometimes a little bit about Canada too. Migrant and citizen, at the same time.
I grew up watching baseball - the crack of a bat hitting the ball and the low murmur of the crowd are the soundtrack to my childhood. Watching @bluejays.com live on BBC as I eat supper feels like time travel. Normally I huddle in bed with my app, hoping the game finishes by 5 am. #basescoveredlive
August 31, 2025 at 6:16 PM
I grew up watching baseball - the crack of a bat hitting the ball and the low murmur of the crowd are the soundtrack to my childhood. Watching @bluejays.com live on BBC as I eat supper feels like time travel. Normally I huddle in bed with my app, hoping the game finishes by 5 am. #basescoveredlive
The William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow is such a little gem. The current Morris Mania exhibition is well worth catching.
August 7, 2025 at 9:54 PM
The William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow is such a little gem. The current Morris Mania exhibition is well worth catching.
What amazes me about Stockholm is not the excellence of its public transport system nor its residents' willingness to commute by active travel measures. It's how badly its city centre is still scarred by the legacy of motorway-enthralled planners.
July 28, 2025 at 8:48 AM
What amazes me about Stockholm is not the excellence of its public transport system nor its residents' willingness to commute by active travel measures. It's how badly its city centre is still scarred by the legacy of motorway-enthralled planners.
Damn it's hard to leave a job you love, even when you know it's time to seek a new challenge. Cannot thank London Councils colleagues, members and officers at boroughs, and partners across the capital enough for a magical three years. Getting to serve a place you love truly madly deeply is 🤩.
July 24, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Damn it's hard to leave a job you love, even when you know it's time to seek a new challenge. Cannot thank London Councils colleagues, members and officers at boroughs, and partners across the capital enough for a magical three years. Getting to serve a place you love truly madly deeply is 🤩.
A reminder that households in poverty in London spend a significantly higher proportion of their net income on housing costs than similar households in the rest of England. London's streets are not paved with gold but even if that were the case, council tax is regressive, not redistributive.
June 20, 2025 at 12:53 AM
A reminder that households in poverty in London spend a significantly higher proportion of their net income on housing costs than similar households in the rest of England. London's streets are not paved with gold but even if that were the case, council tax is regressive, not redistributive.
Still pinching myself after getting to attend the launch night for Soho Theatre Walthamstow earlier this month. London Borough of Waltham Forest took a smart risk in investing to bring the building back to life and worked closely with partners to secure apprenticeships & jobs for local people.
May 11, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Still pinching myself after getting to attend the launch night for Soho Theatre Walthamstow earlier this month. London Borough of Waltham Forest took a smart risk in investing to bring the building back to life and worked closely with partners to secure apprenticeships & jobs for local people.
The moment I long for all year...
April 11, 2025 at 9:22 PM
The moment I long for all year...
Re-enfranchised and it feels so good.
April 1, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Re-enfranchised and it feels so good.
Sunset at 7:30 again!
March 31, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Sunset at 7:30 again!
Recurrent theme at first panel at MIPIM is that to attract private capital into housing there needs to be stable and predictable regulation. Note to UK policymakers, it isn't deregulation the expert panel is calling for - it's for the rules to be clear and long-term. #MIPIM
March 10, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Recurrent theme at first panel at MIPIM is that to attract private capital into housing there needs to be stable and predictable regulation. Note to UK policymakers, it isn't deregulation the expert panel is calling for - it's for the rules to be clear and long-term. #MIPIM
Hoteliers of the world, I implore you to replace these with an implement that is actually usable. This is one of the worst - have to press a button continuously to get it to work and, frankly, I might generate more hot air myself when talking about the UK's over-centralisation.
March 10, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Hoteliers of the world, I implore you to replace these with an implement that is actually usable. This is one of the worst - have to press a button continuously to get it to work and, frankly, I might generate more hot air myself when talking about the UK's over-centralisation.
3 years. Slava Ukraini!
February 24, 2025 at 8:24 PM
3 years. Slava Ukraini!
A lovely little snowdrop interlude at Myddelton House Gardens. What a gem.
February 15, 2025 at 9:19 PM
A lovely little snowdrop interlude at Myddelton House Gardens. What a gem.
Taken at 4:50 pm. This Friday, the sun will set after 5 pm for the first time since October.
February 2, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Taken at 4:50 pm. This Friday, the sun will set after 5 pm for the first time since October.
At a bus stop on a dedicated bus lane. Light has turned green several times but the buses haven't been able to move forward because of cars blocking their way. So frustrating that so many people willing to use a shared mode of transport get delayed by a few people who don't.
January 17, 2025 at 6:15 PM
At a bus stop on a dedicated bus lane. Light has turned green several times but the buses haven't been able to move forward because of cars blocking their way. So frustrating that so many people willing to use a shared mode of transport get delayed by a few people who don't.
London was mist and fog and ice this morning.
January 12, 2025 at 3:10 PM
London was mist and fog and ice this morning.
Last day in Cambodia and I may bore people silly with photos as soon as I sort through the 800+ I've taken. But first a recommendation for anyone coming here: don't miss Siem Reap Food Tours - amazing food and a fantastic glimpse of local Cambodian life. www.siemreapfoodtours.com/book-now-ga?...
January 4, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Last day in Cambodia and I may bore people silly with photos as soon as I sort through the 800+ I've taken. But first a recommendation for anyone coming here: don't miss Siem Reap Food Tours - amazing food and a fantastic glimpse of local Cambodian life. www.siemreapfoodtours.com/book-now-ga?...
Highly recommend checking out the bat cave outside of Battambang at sunset. They fly out en masse to find insects to eat - just the most mesmerising sight.
January 2, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Highly recommend checking out the bat cave outside of Battambang at sunset. They fly out en masse to find insects to eat - just the most mesmerising sight.
Completely smitten with Battambang
January 2, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Completely smitten with Battambang
Cambodians sure know how to pre-game for their official fireworks
January 1, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Cambodians sure know how to pre-game for their official fireworks