The Pakistani Spectator

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

Hi.. Myself Shravan Raghunath, a pessimist with an optimistic view of life.. Physically 20, mentally 16 and emotionally 6..  pursuing my bachelors in electronics and communication.. I am from the “gods own country”, Kerala, India.. Personally I own 3 blogs, two in English and one in my mother tongue, Malayalam..

Quilling In Blood, titled as The Daily Ramblings Of A Lonely Soul is where I write these days.. its my first blog, started in dec 2007.. and then I moved to the second blog

Obnoxious Mind, both these blogs express the real side of me, sometimes in forms of poetic attempts, some times in forms of photos.. some times.. some times in quick updates on all topics I like.. and then comes the third one in Malayalam, titled The Unheard Cries Of A Lonely Soul.. its just an attempt from me to write and improve my command over the language..

And finally not to forget about the group blog I am associated with, Iphrase, which deals and discusses about all topics but mainly focused at inspirational sayings and quotes…

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

Yes I do, The longer I write, I know I am learning, I am polishing my skills.. and it is very much necessary that one progress and improve not only in writing, but in all aspects of life, with time passing by.. and the act of learning never comes to an end.. its an on going process from the very moment of birth to the moment you breathe your last.. the longer I write, I know, I am growing, I am improving.. and why is that important to me? With the complete focus on what I write, write the things in my mind helps me to feel free and at ease.. and I really hate it when I have to write for the sake of writing… it helps me shed my anger, control my emotions, and much important than anything else, it helps me to be me..

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

The memorable experiences, there are a lot to count.. I knew what my limitations are, and yet, there were people to support me, encourage me and there were people to ask me to write..  I cant forget K Parthasarathi, who is 78, and who is still blogging.. his presence and words and letters, they made me write.. and one more experience to mention,  I have always had this feeling that some bloggers produce things more better and more awesome than some of those published authors.. and finally, to say, the way the existing bloggers accept and support a new blogger, its awesome..

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

I exist and the real me in my blog and that makes me accessible always.. I added them in my g talk or in my yahoo.. or in orkut or face book.. with me living online more that 4 hours a day, communication was never a tough job and it will never be.. and I read, I follow, I comment on their posts.. accept their point of views.. with bloggers or with others, for me, communication and being it touch matters a lot..

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

Actually I am confused about answering this question.. I can say, social networking is one innovative use, and then of course during the election time, there was this wide use of technology.. the text messages asking you to vote for one leader, one for the other.. but and this is that confusion, I have, can I call it an innovative use? Doesn’t that create some offense in some people when they get unwanted text messages? And then the most exciting use of technology, that will undoubtedly be the electronic voting machine.. it made the election process so simple, the counting process is done in no time when compared to the previous method of counting the sheets..

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

The answer definitely should be a yes, but, I stick with a big No.. the attitudes and mindsets of our people, I mean to say the Indian people need to change.. its high time that we accept reality, accept the new technologies, of course in productive and proper ways, and stop mourning over the lost past.. and knowing the growing youth power of my nation, I hope my no will turn to yes in the near future.. the younger generation, including me, are responding to the newer technologies and the only thing we need to see is that its in the right track..

What do you think sets Your site apart from others?

The personal touch there.. as I said, I exist as me in my blog too.. and the exact replica of my life is printed at my site.. and that makes  my site different.. I know that I am no different than the rest, but when I add my personal touch to what I write, it definitely makes a difference.. and the uncertainty about what next makes my site a different one. My posts reflect my mood and with the mercurial kind of character I have, its hard to predict..

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

Not just one.. Keeping the success in life apart as I am just 20 and knowing that I have some more years to live, the characteristics that helps me stay as who I am now are , My pessimistic approach to life.. being friendly with people, managing to have a smile on my face-on almost all occasions..

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

There is a long list to tell about this question.. the happiest moments that flash in my memory right now are, the school days- the friends and the fun.. the day I met my best friends, after more than two years of knowing her.. travelling to a destination 550 kms away, all alone just to meet that special someone.. sad that the special someone is no more special.. and that is it for the gloomiest moment.. even now I cant express in words how happy I was when my blog started fetching readers, not very much, but a handful though.. and the gloomiest moments, there is always a personal touch in that.. the special someone turning no more special, arguing with the best friend and not being with them when they badly needed me, breaking all expectations of my parents with the higher secondary school results.. its all personal..

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?

My first choice is a kerala trip.. travelling the entire kerala, enjoying the road side coffee, smell the flowers, the tea estates of wynad, the back waters of Alappy.. the beach at trivandrum.. the temples here in, touching and covering the nooks and corners of my own land..

The second choice is an all India tour.. there is so much to explore in India.. with my camera in my hand, with no tensions, exploring India will be more than fun and exciting..

The third choice has a choice now.. either an around the globe tour on a trip to Greece.. do not ask me why Greece, but that is it..

What is your favorite book and why?

This is the question that I do not have an answer.. its been so long that I read a book.. the last book I read was one night at the call centre, gifted by anupama.. I really really miss reading, and I am ashmed of myself to say, that I haven’t read any of those great books.. but at the same time, I am proud to say, that I have read a lot through e –reading, the blogs.. the 12 year old kid in my will answer this question as, my favourite book is great Indian epic Mahabharatha and the character is Karna. The way the story is formed its beyond explaining.. the relationship among characters.. the thread that binds them all.. its just great..

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

Their attitude and body language.. the way they behave.. and finally their eyes.. I get along with people so well, but at times I can get that irritating when someone shows some kind of I am superior attitude.. people should be true and genuine.. there is no point in being someone who you are not.. and that will be my final check, if they are real or not.. fakes.. that’s not fine..

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

I proudly say NO. everyone, each and everyone told me that I can write, I can improve.. but no one told me to built my language.. it took so much of time to realise that.. and now, I am happy that I still have people around me saying I can write, but I am so sad that I don’t have anyone to criticize me for the language and words I use..

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

I am personally against posting ads in blogs.. but yeah, bloggers can financially benefit from blogs using the adsense program, and then there are a lot of ad providers like the amazon and rest..

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

50-50.. bloggers are born when they have spare time.. and its then that they get addicted.. but I need not be the same.. there are people who run on right schedule yet managing to post wonderful articles, who I would call gifted talents.. and there are some with enough free time and produce nothing great[read, including me, if you are thinking from my side].. and success is not measured by the no of posts one do, but with the content values of their articles, with the way they express things..

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

A major role.. the blogworld has no boundaries.. and that makes the blogworld a different world.. the blog world will be the only place where people read, write, talk, share and discuss things regardless of their nationalities.. and that’s the biggest advantage I can see.. and then, well, one can assume an anonym. Name and write on matters of public interest, discussed, built up the issue for good ofcourse, let the govt. know..

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?

1. http://soulofawoman-rane.blogspot.com/
2. http://kparthas.blogspot.com/
3. http://jinjusoulspeak.blogspot.com/
4. http://etonfire.blogspot.com/
5. http://ayeshaparveen.blogspot.com/

discarding  all the great Malayalam blogs.. and these five blogs, are selected as I am told to select 5.  I personally like all the blogs I follow, I take atmost care when I follow and read.. and thus, I know, I have a very filtered and selected list of blogs, who contribute to the world of blogging, in their own way of writing..

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

No. I hardly get any powerful reactions.. but two, two times people liked my post for its honestly and originality and acknowledged it.. true that all my posts are original, but its so special when people like it.. and I still remember one reader saying my words are addictive.. am even now surprised about that comment, knowing very well my limits.

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?

I really really wish if we could be together even now.. but yeah, lets be practical.. as a nation, as my neighbouring nation I definitely like the land.. its so much associated with my land to, in its past, present and I hope I future too.. but at the same time, I am worried about the political conflicts between the two nations.. and about the people.. I like them as I like all Indians.. wish if there are no issues between the two nations politically or in any other means  and if we could form the best of neighbouring nations.

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

Yeah.. just one blogger.. http://soulofawoman-rane.blogspot.com/ the way this blogger writes is so so so special and addictive.. and I have no words to explain that feeling..

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

the infrastructure, the standard of living.. and in a lighter sense, the dominance the developed nations show, and the courage the developing nations show to continue with the developmental activities.. and now, talking about India, and other developing country, the worst thing we have are the outdated political principles and leaders that know not to lead. Its high time that some young bloods some in to the lime light of politics.

What is the future of blogging?

Awesome..with every day passing by, the no. of bloggers are increasing, and the greatest thing is that, all these people have so much of ideas and talents, creativity and the interesting feature that there is no boundaries..each one who enters this place is being a member of a global community..

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

There is no separation between my blogging life and real life.. my blog is the exact replica of my personal life.. added with some spices of fun romance and attempts in literature works, all within my abilities.

What are your future plans?

A long way to go.. first plan is to complete the bachelors degree, then to do the highers, read a lot of books, get employed.. get settled.. keep my family safe and happy, but who knows if there is a tomorrow.. so the real plan is to life for now..

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

This is a wonderful place that I would want to come back reading.. I hope that TPS moves forward as it is now, supporting and promoting all the talents they find, spreading universal love and brotherhood.. And lets all pray for a better tomorrow with no fear of terrorist attacks, brutal assassinations and may the world be at peace and a better place to live.

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