The Pakistani Spectator

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?

About Me:

Affable. Amiable. Candid. Egotist. Gamer. Internet-addict. English language enthusiast. Poetic. A polyglot. Realist. Thinker. Urbane.

About my site:

The exultant one indites… Is *Reality* an *Illusion*..? Or, is *Illusion* a *Reality*. I dare say - *Contorted Reality*. And *Twisted Illusions*. Literature-style narration, emotive poetry, forthright opinions and philosophy for them philistines.

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?

Of course… I have been writing for a long time now. My interest in this pleasurable activity dates back to my early childhood (well before teenage). Blogging is just a platform to showcase what I write.

As one explores himself in a quest to know his limitations, he realises how much more he can improve. The nuances of it all… And as he improves, he grows in stature. Only he knows how much farther he can go. Appreciation and criticism act as sources of inspiration on his said quest.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?

I have had the good fortune of getting to know quite a few people. We may differ in colour and nationality, but we do share a common interest which is, writing.

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?

Social-networking is a boon, that way. And so are e-mail and instant messaging. Apart from visiting their blogs to know how they are doing, a quick word or two over e-mail/messenger/networking websites does ensure that a healthy relationship is maintained in this virtual world.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?

“H” is his middle name. Barrack Husein Obama. Period. And coming to think of it, even the Pope recently decreed that Vatican should preach the word of God over YouTube!

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?

It sure will… But technology will always be a double-edged blade.

What do you think sets Your site apart from others?

In my opinion, I maintain a high standard for all my compositions. I try to not sound too redundant and banal. Furthermore, I believe it is my diction that probably makes the difference.

However, I suggest you ask my esteemed readers! It is their readership (read: patronage) that keeps me going.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?

An unwavering faith in my innate faculty.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

I suppose the “happiest” and “gloomiest” moments are yet to come… For now though; I’d cite each occasion a kind soul offered his/her best, just to see me happy and make my day as a moment to cherish for a lifetime. In the hindsight though, my grandfather’s unexpected passing a couple of months ago has left a gloomy void…

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?

1. Bamiyan, Afghanistan – where the giant Buddhas once stood, gracefully.
2. Chichen-Itza, Mexico – Temple of Kukulkan (the Sun God of Mayan lore)
3. Constantinople, Turkey – A congregation of the Oriental and the Occidental…

What is your favorite book and why?

Though I’d love to name “Macbeth” (for Shakespeare is my favourite author!), my favourite book would have be “Le Comte de Monte-Cristo” (The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas, pére).

Why..? It talks about how Edmond Dantès, the sailor, loses everything to a diabolical conspiracy and transforms himself to Monte Cristo in a tale of retribution. Cynicism of harsh reality replaces a hitherto naiveté of idealistic youth. On a philosophical note, one can also see the ways of karma (action). What goes around, comes around.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

Their body language… Non-verbal communication speaks a lot. (I assume you mean someone in the real world!)

Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?

No, I have always been encouraged…

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

Proper use of Google’s AdSense, for starters, and registering with one of those many websites which help you to make money by say, writing reviews..?

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?

Not necessarily… I’d rather say that he/she has managed his/her time very efficiently!

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?

A very good question. Allow me to frame my answer thus -

Art has it’s own appeal. And writing/blogging is an art, per se. When artists unite [for a cause], there can only be colour. Colours over a rich spectrum. And such diversity can spread the colours of love, peace, harmony and goodwill.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?

You are cornering me here, mate! Five would be too small a number…

Aayushi (a word of mention – she is a prodigy at writing), Anila (a very bubbly person), Divya (another soul whose infectious enthusiasm reflects on her writing), Keshi (a fun person to know and boy is she popular!), Lena (a very charming blogger), Matangi (my college-mate and quite the raconteur herself!), Mehreen (one of my very good friends in blogsville), Prason Christopher Robin (a ludicrously hilarious bloke!), Praveen (someone extremely forthright with his views), Ranjani (an Engilsh language freak not unlike yours truly!), Sameera (an enchantress when it comes to words), Siddharth Kaul (another college-mate and poetry-cum-philosophy enthusiast), Stephen (one of the good story-tellers out there), Tara (a disarmingly ebullient soul), Mrs. Usha Pisharody (an instructor of English with a poetry treasure chest of her own), Verbivore (that’s how she prefers to be known!)… the list is long!

And not to forget Richa, Sushant and Tushar who co-author a blog on Nation-wide awakening with me…

Guess that’s almost everyone on my blogroll! Each one is uniqueness personified. I am lucky that way, ain’t I? And Lena - I can’t repeat this thrice over, buddy!

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?

That distinction would go to a certain “Priya “and her blog “Journal “. Profoundly lucid weaving of words that leaves me thinking… Every single time.

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?

The best is yet to come. But the first time I wrote for a cause, my composition received a lot of appreciation.

A poem, titled - “Innocence, no more… ” - targeted at Child Abuse.

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?

I have seen a lot of Pakistan on the Discovery Channel. I would love to tour the country. And well, what else can I say… I will quote Kamila Shamsie, “…a constant movement between finding intimacy amid strangeness and difference buried within the heart of similarity.” - on how similar Indians and Pakistanis are.

I have been lucky to befriend a couple of Pakistani bloggers. That said, they are nothing less than “nice” in every aspect. I have reason to believe that it is because of a handful of trouble-mongers that the whole world sees Pakistan and her people under a different light.

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?

Well… On one hand, you have cash rich nations that probably do not realize their bloody good fortune. On the other hand, you have a body of people that are determined to be counted amongst the world’s best; just that their progress is occluded by financial issues.

What is the future of blogging?

Blogging sure has a huge potential! Global communication could, in all possibility, be redefined. And… Thanks to websites like YouTube, blogging could probably become more of Audio-and-Video, rather than text and image.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?

Reading blog posts is a way to take my mind off things that bother me. Moreover, there are quite a lot of posts which describe what the writer is going through. In effect, it is a constant realisation that no-one is free from life’s troubles (personal and professional). A momentary respite is always welcome. Be it in the form of prose or poetry or even a random photograph.

As I had mentioned earlier, blogging is also a way I express myself… It is an outlet to my thoughts and emotions. I find it a novel way to unwind and that helps a lot – in the personal front. I find this mantra apt for my prospective professional life as well.

What are your future plans?

To make a difference. Rather, to be the difference.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?

First of all, a word of gratitude to The Pakistani Spectator for having followed my blog and to deem that the writer was worth an interview!

And to the readers, well… The world is a small place. Each individual is unique. It is all about learning to enjoy and appreciate each other’s differences. Trust me. The world will seem a much better place that way. Remember, your stay here is ephemeral. So, fill it with Friendship’s grace.

We have one Earth. Make it our own.

Peace. Take care. Blessed be.

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