I rant about my life and in an unashamed manner: Priyanka Khot

Priyanka Khot

The world knows me as Priyanka Khot and prefers to butcher my name to Pri, Priya, P, Yanka, Khot…etc. I ascended from Venus (Women come from Venus) to Earth on June 2, 1983, with fire, rain and winds putting on a spectacular show. I have 2 active blogs at the age of 26: Priyanka’s Point (http://priyankas-point.blogspot.com/) and Delhi Photo Diary – http://delhiphotodairy.blogspot.com/.

I try to capture and present the lessons life teaches me on Priyanka’s Point through my writings and in my attempt to preserve my city, Delhi, as I see it, I capture images and pen a few words on the Delhi Photo Diary. A professional associated with various fields of Mass Communication, I am proud to say that writing is my passion. I am a self confessed narcissist and all attempts to shame me on this count have failed so far.

Interview

Q: Welcome to Speakbindas. Tell us since when blogging has been a part of your life? Was there any motive or inspiration as a backbone of it?

• A: I entered the blogosphere in April of 2006. I must give credit where it is due. My mother read about blogs in a newspaper article and nagged me into opening one of mine and that is how, like all good things in my life, my mother’s nagging resulted in the birth of Priyanka’s Point (PP). Meanwhile, Delhi Photo Diary (DPD) began on a lazy March morning last year.

Q: What is your blog all about? Which topics you cover there? Is that you alone running/maintaining the blog, or have a team?

• A: The blogs are an individual effort as far as publishing goes, but they become a satisfying experience only when visitors visit, give bouquets or brickbats and ask for more.

• The theme for PP has not undergone any major change since its nascent stage. It continues to be a place, where I rant about my life and in an unashamed manner present my biased views. Be it movies, political situation, poems, drabbles, stories, satire, ask and it shall be present.

• DPD was a desperate attempt to preserve Delhi, which is undergoing massive changed thanks to the Commonwealth Games next year. Metro has changed the geography of the city and new constructions are changing it as I type. Not that I am against change, it is just that one day I want to open the blog and show my grandchildren the place where I grew up, where I shared food, tea, coffee, jokes, pranks etc with my friends of youth.

Q.: How important is it for the blogger to interact with their readers? Do you respond to all the comments that you receive?

• A: It is a high to receive comments. I try to answer all the queries the readers post and I make it a point to make at least one return visit to anyone’s blog, who comes to mine and leaves a comment. Thanks to blogging, I have made wonderful friends like Nitu from Shillong, Kavita from Guwhati and Hilda from Manila.

Q: Is blogging for you just a passion or a medium for earning too? Does it help you to earn enough cash to quit a 9 to 5 day job?

• A: PASSION

Q: Who are your favorite bloggers, whom you read frequently?

• A: Gaurav Parab, Kris McCracken, Nitu, Kavita, Patty and Abe.

Q: From the secret bucket of your blogging experiences, what tips you would like to share with the fellow bloggers?

• A: Follow your heart. Write what you want to write rather than what others want to read.

Q: Do you believe that blogging completes you? If yes, tell us how?

• A: Blogging is an extension of my persona. I feel that with every post, I share a part of myself, my story, my life, my vision and my perception with the world.

Q: What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

• A: Happiest so far has been the birth of my younger brother. I can honestly say I have never felt happier. The saddest would be the demise of my father. Nothing has ever pained me more than that.

Q: Say, you are sponsored to travel to 3 world destinations, where you need not to worry about costs for food, hotel or anything. Which destinations would you pick up, and why? Would you like to take someone along with you? If yes, whom?

• A: First and foremost, I would love to wear a chiffon saree and dance with Shah Rukh Khan on one of the snow capped mountains of Switzerland. Second on the list would have to be to Mauritius with my mom as she has always wanted to see the place. The last would be backwaters of Kerala with my special someone.

Q: Are you into watching movies? If yes, which fills your list of favorite ones?

• A: I love movies. Having studied the art, movies are a religion. My favorites include: The Shawshank Redemption, Goodwill Hunting, A Wednesday, Gone with the wind, Roman Holiday, Casablanca, The Kid, Rang De Basanti, Madhumati, Planta 4a, Serendipity, Kuch Kuch Hota hai, DDLJ, OSO, Swades, Yes Boss, Black, Come September, City of Angels, If Only.

Q: How has blogging helped you other than money?

• A: It has helped me connect with a wider readership. Today I have people from all across the globe following my blogs. And it has made me more aware of my environment. These days all I can think about anywhere I go is how can I present this in my blog, is it blog worthy. Etc.

Q: What would be the one thing you’d change about yourself?

• A: My weight.

Q: What is your deepest fear?

• A: I might lose people I love.

Q: If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?

• A: Oprah Winfrey. One hug from her and I know everything would be alright forever.

Q: Which is your favorite television show? Favorite songs?

• A: Favorite television show: F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Favorite song: English: Can’t Help Falling In Love With You by Elvis Presley; Hindi: Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe Ho Nissar; Marathi: Kehvan Tahri Pahate.

Q: How much money do you have in your purse/wallet right now (including change)?

• A: Rupees 317.

Q: What is your favorite food? Any particular dislikes?

• A: I love Rajma Chawal and Maggie. I HATE Peas and Brinjals.

Q: What’s your take on the technological advancement these days? Does it make people’s life simple or complicated?

• A: It has made mine simpler can’t say about the effect it has had on others.

Q: What do you think of “blogging is the next BIG thing”?

• A: I think it IS the BIG thing right now. Blogging has actually made the world a global village. I can sit at my home in New Delhi and enjoy the happenings in Hobbart. I can share birthdays and joyous occasions with strangers and sympathize their loss.

Q: Any special message you would like to share with your blog readers as well with everyone else?

• A: Follow your heart and passion always, you never know where it might take you! Happy Blogging! See you at my blogs soon.