#WINxpress At Ahmedabad - Blogadda

"I love meeting new people; I think everyone has a story to tell. We should all listen sometimes." -- Kim Smith

How true it is! There are so many stories out there which just need a patient hearing. Blogadda, the leading platform for Indian bloggers came with such an event to gather bloggers from around the city of Ahmedabad. It was an attempt by Blogadda to inspire the budding writers and instill the spirit of blogging with a new fervor. "Let blogging do the talking" was the motto of this event. The team of Blogadda believes that there is no inspiration without motivation and sharing your views makes a huge difference, so they had invited six eminent bloggers and writers who were carving a niche for themselves in the world of blogging.

The event was decided to be held at Cafe City Monk, Ahmedabad, a lovely place with a lovely ambience for book lovers and writers. Why?? See the place yourself.

I entered the cafe and was happy to see the wall art and dangling books and lamps. I was new to this city so didnt know any of the bloggers here. A gentleman kicked off a conversation and he was none other than the CEO of Blogadda, Mr. Nirav Sanghvi. Such a humble and grounded person he is. After a little chit chat about his journey, I felt happy to know the person behind this platform.

The session started with the introduction of Team Blogadda through a small video covering their journey till now. After that we had an ice-breaking session. We were divided into groups and one person from each group had to tell a secret about one of the persons of his/her group. After that, people from all the groups were given 10 minutes to mingle with each other and find out who that person is who had been mentioned a few minutes back. This became an interactive session amongst the bloggers. 

Then we had sessions from the speakers who were invited to share their two cents about their blogging/vlogging journey and tips on how to make it more effective.

Following were the speakers:

Juhi Bansal – http://www.closetbuddies.in/

Rishabh & Nirali Shah – http://gypsycouple.com/

Paresh Godhwani – http://pareshg.com/

Amit Panchal – https://twitter.com/AmitHPanchal

The session continued with every speaker sharing his/her strategy and fellow bloggers asking their queries. Meanwhile, the snacks were being served to satiate the hunger pangs.

The much awaited interactive Session with Raksha Bharadia, author of 'Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul' kickstarted. She read out a very inspiring short story and I went gaga over her story telling art. Such an eloquent speaker she is. Then she asked each of us to write a short story. She picked up one of the introduction from the audience and told how effective she would have written it. Likewise, she proceeded with the body and conclusion of the story. It was an eye-opening session. She effectively taught us the art of story composition by an example.

The session ended with a round of snacks and goodies for every attendee. Did I mention about the twitter activity. Well! there was a twitter activity announced at the beginning and I was one among the winner for my perky tangy tweets :) Thanks Blogadda for WINxpress event.

Gracias!
 

Writing to ME is...

This post has been selected amongst the Blogadda’s WOW posts of the week.

 

 

“Delhi-Lucknow express 12004 is about to reach on platform no. 2” The announcement was being made again and again. Mehak and Raj reassembled their luggage. They had been waiting from past half an hour. And this half hour became the most memorable hour of their life. It was exactly one year before they had met here. While waiting for the train, they dwelled upon their silly stupid chats which had tied them in a wonderful bond.

“You remember I was caught by this T.T.”, Mehak said pointing towards a middle-age man with a potbelly who was going through a list in his hand.

“Oh! Yes. I should go to him”, Raj said.

“Why??”, Mehak enquired.

“To thank him for making me meet a silly stupid girl”, Raj winked.

Both of them giggled.

“It seems it was destined. My ticket got pickpocket. Your friend cancelled his journey at the last moment. And you travelled alone with a two-passenger ticket all the way just to rescue me at this junction”, Mehak put their first meet in brevity.

Raj relaxed on the bench and a sneaky smile crept on his lips.

He said,” Yeah! Out of tens of other passengers, I became just your saviour”.

“Silly effect”,Mehak chirruped.

“Silly girl”, Raj ticked her head.

FLASHBACK

Mehak thanked Raj for helping her and saving her bucks. Raj thanked his friend for cancelling the trip. Formal thanks-giving  entailed till they came out of the junction. Before leaving Raj put his hand forward and said,” Hii, I’m Raj. Naam to suna hi hoga”.

Mehak shook hand and said,” Hii I’m not Simran!”.

Haha, I like it.

What??

That you are not Simran!.

So???

So, there is going to be a twist in the story.

You seem to be a die-hard bollywood fan.

Yes! Masala and romance tadka.

“All Crap. Taxiiiiii”, She waved her hand and bid him a good-bye.

A crap bye!!! Raj was a little sad at her parting words.

“But why should I bother about her. She is just an another girl”, Raj murmured.

He tried to convince himself but the silly girl had abducted his wits. As soon as he reached his hostel, he opened his laptop, connected to the internet and searched for her. But how to search?? She was NOT SIMRAN. Who was she??? Where to search for her in Delhi??? Disheartened Raj gave all his hopes. Days  passed.

One day Raj went to a Publishing house to get his college magazine published. He was the head of the editorial team. The man at the office guided him to a room.

“May I come in”, Raj knocked on the door.

“ Yes, please” ,came the voice.

“Whoa!!! Bollywood Baba!!! What a pleasant surprise! What brought you here?” This was Mehak asking the flabbergasted Raj.

Raj couldn’t believe his eyes. He got back to his senses and stammered, “ H-a-a-e-e- Hiii! I’m stalking you”.

Oh!! Really!.

So how is everything  Miss Not Simran???

Haha, I’m Mehak. I do the work of proof-reading here.

That’s great. Now read these 100 odd pages and kick out the errors.

Ahh!!! I don’t like this. I just hate these words but still slogging myself.

 

Raj was happy to find her. Now he knew the name of silly girl.

Facebook-Search-Mehak-Send friend request.

Friend request accepted.

And then started the chatting season. They sunk themselves in talks and talks from nowhere and everywhere.

Meanwhile Raj wrote his first novel and went to her for proof-reading.

As Mehak read through the pages, she felt herself bosomed in someone’s strong words.

Yes! Raj didn’t write a love letter, instead an entire novel for the silly stupid girl he had fallen in love with.

 

FLASHBACK OVER-TIME IS SPEEDING NOW

The horn grew louder and louder as the train approached. Raj cried at the loudest of his pitch,
” I’ll be waiting for your reviews on my novel”.

Mehak and Raj hadn’t admitted it to each other till now. They behaved like just-friends but something more was being cooked up on both the sides. Both were enjoying this unavowed romance.

Both left for their home.

It was Diwali. Mehak called up Raj to wish him.

“Huulo”, a heavy voice spoke from the other side.

“May I speak to Raj please”,Mehak asked.

“Beta! He went missing since past five days. DO you know where he is??”, the voice asked in plea.

Mehak couldn’t believe her ears. She ransacked all their mutual contacts, Raj’s college, his whereabouts but no ray of hope kindled.

Each day she read his script where he confessed his love. Today Raj is still missing. Mehak added a few more chapters and completed their love novel.

As soon as the novel hit the book stores, it came out to be a best-seller. The media persons approached Mehak asking  about how the idea came to your mind? Are you a professional writer?? And a lot more questions queued up.

Mehak answered in a very simple manner.

"I’m no professional writer.
I never liked these silly stupid words.
I never understood the feelings attached with them.
But a silly stupid boy made me feel these words.
He left behind his legacy in his words.
He made me write all what I feel.
And today writing to me is my first love."

 
Mehak confessed their love in public and wished Raj would soon appear with another of his novel for proof-reading.

 
Hioy'oy Hoi Polloi
JJJ

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda

MAGI OF MY LIFE

By the grace of god , the much awaited dream of mine to share up myself with this world has come true. M feeling euphoric.:-)
My fingers were itching hard to pen down something, scribble out some tangy crap which we all wish somewhere deep down in some corner of our heart.

We wish to be the king of this world, to enjoy every moment to the fullest,spreading out the cheer & the thumping smile compelling everyone in touch with us to dance to the tune of the overwhelming joy.:)

Adding stars to the bright sparkling moments , some indispensable special "MAGI" fill up the left over abandoned space. And thus our castle seems to be brimming with the huge tidal waves of fervour, gaiety, joy and fun. Air seems to be fiddling perfectly to the tune of our favourite vocal.

U know when such above-said dreamy dream turns up true to my eyes???? Its when I'm with the best flinted precious stones safely treasured in my cozy basket.
To your amazement these priceless stones are my life. Yeah!!! I'm not lying. These are called as FRIENDS by this world. But for me they are my life, my soul , my fragrance or say my BREATH.

How strange na!! when we are with these rascals(giggling :>), we never realize that one day their single thought would roll down tears from our eyes. Talking about me, i feel at the top of the world with them in their wonderful company. To be veracious I sleekly thank GOD for sending them to my life.

Indeed they are the Few Relations In Earth that Never Die.

With my prancing heart, I take pride to write out this blog for all my lovable friends who have left their imprints in my beachy life making it more beautiful. I dont feel gloomy for those who have stepped back, who showed their backs when I needed them, who took my one MAGUS away from me. Instead I eulogize them for being one of the best snapshots just even for a while. I heartedly thank them for fringing my Memory Lane with the ever-enjoyable and never-fading tapestry.

There is a lot more to share up but keeping in mind your patience to read me, I just put ....(some dots) to this blog.
I promise to come up with a new zeal and new enthusiasm and a better text next time. Keep blessing me with your friendship, the most sacred relation on this earth which I do worship with my pellucid heart. :-):-)