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Blogs are not yet a part of the common vocabulary in India, even among the techies. But the tsunami disaster brought out the best in blog reporting as Amit Varma and Dilip D’Souza made their way through the ravaged areas and posted amazing personal accounts on their respective blogs. Blog readership literally zoomed and people relied more on blogs for an accurate picture rather than relying on biased and controlled news networks.
I was surprised to see two full-length articles on blogging, which ventured beyond the cliched description of "online personal journal". Amit Varma makes a fine case of highlighting the benefits of blogging over mainstream journalism although one cannot yet replace the other.
On the other hand, Murali Menon and Sachin Rao, who describe themselves as emailers (isn’t anyone remotely connected to computer just that?) give a comprehensive description of blogging. They interview and cite many Indi-bloggers, which by now are "stars" by their own right.
Yazad tears into Murali’s article but heartily compliments Amit. I think Murali calling him a "boyish-looking 32-year-old" has something to do with it :)
The information barely scatches the surface and covers mostly the serious bloggers. Personal bloggers, which also command a wide readership are ignored. Is it any less interesting to read personal accounts of people who admittedly spice up their daily routine lives with a dash of drama and make our days a little less tiresome? Alpha, Ashi, Sidin, and Kraz come readily to mind when I think about personal bloggers. It is time someone asked them their reasons to blog too.
by Patrix | on Wednesday, January 19th, 2005 at 10:45 pm | 
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January 20th, 2005 at 2:34 am reply
Personal bloggers are as important as any others for blogging as a whole, and not just for the reason that they probably out-number the rest. Omitting the personal bloggers is definitely a blooper, if not downright narrow-mindedness.
January 20th, 2005 at 7:11 am reply
Oh Thank you Patrix, for bringing me into the limelight in your hallowed blog. Actually I was wondering myself why I havent been mentioned in New York Times. As a protest, I stopped writing. No more nitty gritty personal details, you morons…suffer!
January 20th, 2005 at 7:41 am reply
Kiran - Personal blogs still outnumber the non-personal ones and those authors form the bulk of the readers too (those who blog are more likely to read blogs or vice versa). Lets hope someone writes about them.
Alpha - Hollowed blog is more like it. NY Times?? Will page 3 of apna TOI suffice? BTW why the weird email id?
January 20th, 2005 at 8:21 am reply
email id..i dont know..it’s a long story…and it’s not interesting.
January 20th, 2005 at 9:38 am reply
Alpha - Something wrong kya? hum se kuch galti huee kya?
January 20th, 2005 at 10:12 am reply
ahem? patrix, why are you in this guilt trip..did you wrong me in anyway I am not aware of?
January 20th, 2005 at 10:29 am reply
Alpha - So you didn’t notice….jeeees.I am glad you didn’t.Whew! that was a narrow escape.
January 20th, 2005 at 1:00 pm reply
Excuse me Patrix, Page 3 is taken. Move onto Page 4. Alpha dear, writer’s block, eh?
January 20th, 2005 at 1:57 pm reply
page 3 taken? You accepted Smiley’s ring? They call it the ‘blabbermouth’s fullstop’ in these parts.
January 20th, 2005 at 2:43 pm reply
Leela - What? you a Mid-Day Mate now? Alpha will make a better one, I think :)
Alpha - Call it whatever. But we want more.
January 20th, 2005 at 9:46 pm reply
You doubt my potential as a Mid-day Mate???
Why am I doomed with left handed compliments? :-(
January 20th, 2005 at 10:24 pm reply
Leela - So the rumors were true..Smiley did tell me something about a centrefold he takes to the bathroom.
January 21st, 2005 at 12:38 am reply
Oh yeah? That centrefold statement doesn’t bother me because we all KNOW Smiley’s inclinations. :-) Uh-oh Patty dear, what have YOU walked into now :-D
January 21st, 2005 at 7:25 am reply
Why wud I make a better mid-day mate…when my unmarried contemporaries are slightly more eligible. er..Patrix, which edition?
Smiley takes a centerfold to the bathroom? That is news! I thought his dirty thoughts were enough. You guys discuss his bathroom trivia?
January 21st, 2005 at 11:32 am reply
Leela - Smiley’s inclinations are only too well known..news travels faster than you think and just coz I act slow doesn’t mean I am ;)
Alpha - That is the best thing about Mid-Day..there is a new mate everyday..you can choose to be featured on your birthday. Don’t want to discuss Smiley’s bathroom trivia…u wanna volunteer? I still remember a certain shower curtain ;)
January 21st, 2005 at 1:32 pm reply
jeez..wonder what you and yogu were upto in my bathroom. I threw away that curtain.
January 21st, 2005 at 5:44 pm reply
You must have already caught it on your CC TV. Send me a tape…or wait, have you recorded Nudie sightings over that?
January 21st, 2005 at 5:46 pm reply
darn…..nudie came before you…dont tell me I recorded some cheap non-selling x-rated gay porn over THE Nudie video!
January 21st, 2005 at 5:50 pm reply
Alpha, that was quick…looks like work is light.
Anyways to cite John Stewart, Man-on-Man sex is ewwww! but woman-on-woman is HOT!! I am glad you agree too.