Interview with Blogger Akansha Agrawal
By The Pakistani Spectator • Mar 9th, 2009 • Category: Interviews • 2 CommentsWould you please tell us something about you and your site?
I am Akansha Agrawal, an engineering student, presently in second year. My site is simply a random space where I may blast politicians, rave and rant about current issues, personal experiences, fiction, book reviews, movie reviews and lately I have been trying to delve into humor. It is simply a stress buster… I owe my ability to write to my English teachers and all those authors who have written wonderful books for the others to read…
Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?
Of course, my blog is about to get two years old, and now when I look back at what I wrote when I started, there’s definitely a huge amount of difference. Writing is important to me, not only because it is a passion, but also because it is a voice I’d like to have heard.
I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?
Blogging has been one of the best things that have happened to me. I now boast of a huge social network of people with whom the only thing I may have in common is that we blog. As a contributor to about five other blogs apart from my own, I have met a huge spectrum of people, with their own sets of beliefs, disbeliefs and most importantly, opinions!
What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?
It is not only common courtesy, but also a great way to increase your acquaintance with other bloggers to leave comments on their posts (of course you should read the post first!) Besides, as I stated, you meet a lot of bloggers with whom you may share instant chemistry, friendship follows…
What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?
In Indian politics, it would be I think L K Advani’s site, though there’s a long way to go Besides making people aware of the importance of voting especially among the youth is something that internet helps a lot in. If you talk about the world, no body has utilized the power of internet as Obama has done during these recent elections.
Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?
US reported a rise in the number of people voting. Advani’s site has generated a lot of response from the blog world, for the good and for the bad. What bigger proof do we need?
What do you think sets Your site apart from others?
This is something only readers can tell. Whether they like the slapstick humor that I mentioned I am trying to delve into, or whether they like the fact that I like to experiment and randomize and be unpredictable.
If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
At 19, I do not call myself successful, there’s a long way to go… But one thing that I think will help me achieve it would probably be grit.
What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
Well, there’s an entire list of happy moments and even longer list of gloomy ones. It’s really impossible to pinpoint at one!
If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?
Switzerland (I love those mountains), Dubai (I want to see the World Islands) and France (there’s something with the French that attracts me…) not necessarily in that order…
What is your favorite book and why?
As a voracious reader, it’s extremely difficult to choose, but if you place a gun on my head, I would say ‘The Only Alien on the Planet’ by Kristen Randle. It’s a book about a boy who seems autistic and a girl who opens up the world for him. A detailed review can be found on my blog here: here
What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?
The first thing is the face… I try to look at them in the eye… and figure out if the person has smiling eyes or nasty ones!
Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?
No, thankfully I have always met people who have encouraged me to go ahead…
How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
Financially, there’s always companies which pay money to put up advertisements on the blog. I see no harm in that, though I have not taken the option myself yet. Google Adsense seems to be the most popular service.
Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?
A blog definitely requires you to devote time to it, but you don’t to be in it full-time. It depends on whether you blog for a living, or just because you want to.
What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?
Bloggers possess the power of internet and own a medium to voice their thoughts and opinions. A blogger will normally never differentiate on any basis whatsoever. Besides, some wrong perceptions about a certain place or incident may get cleared.
Who are your top five favourite bloggers?
That is a tough one because there aren’t five, there are a lot more than five… catch up with all of them on my blogroll here
Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?
I can’t pinpoint at one, because since I write about so many different fields, there are different people who reply to them differently. Posts on politics receive responses from those who are politically inclined, fiction generates response from other fiction writers, so there isn’t one…
What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?
Politically, Pakistan seems to be on a decilne. A common man may not be to blame for it, but there are no two opinions about the fact that Pakistan doesn’t exactly enjoy a good world image. It probably needs better leaders and more rational thinking.
Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?
Every blogger is unique. But there’s a blog I recently came across… http://twisted-dna.com
The author has an amazing sense of humor!
What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?
The most striking difference would probably be the people… the way they think, the way they perceive… every incident.
What is the future of blogging?
Blogging is here to stay, and grow. People have found a medium to express their anger, their happiness, their gratitude and ingratitude, their frustration, irritation and also receive response from others, who would want to leave it?
You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
Well I don’t have a professional life as yet, coz I am still a student, but I only blog in my free time, so I can only see the positives…
What are your future plans?
The first thing is to complete my engineering which could be followed by an MBA…
Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
Pakistan, as a country needs to change its mindset, and the religious fanatism needs to stop. Education for all is the mantra of the day. People have to learn to respect the views of others, irrespective of whether they agree or disagree and violence certainly does not solve any problems. I am sure The Pakistani Spectator has a large youth readership. Well it is upto these people to change their country for the better…
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loved this interview
:) i loved the last answer specially 
@Mads
>:D< Thank you…