Respond to all your visitors unfailingly: Deepak Amembal

Hi! Am Deepak Amembal, born in Aug 1953, completed my M.A. in Sociology from Mumbai University. My blog http://mumbai-eyed.blogspot.com is about Mumbai as I see it.

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?

• Ans.: My 1^st blog was ‘Photings’ at http://photings.blogspot.com and the 1^st post was on 03 October, 2005. It was basically the result of a passion for photography and writing combined. Slowly the addiction to blogging grew and started my pic-a-day about Mumbai at http://mumbai-eyed.blogspot.com. Then there was no looking back and I moved on to a travel blog of my own http://magictravels.blogspot.com where I could document my travels to share this wondrous country of ours with the world!

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

• Ans.: My Mumbai blog is all about the wonderful city that is a dream fulfiller to millions who come here to dream and realize them. I try my best to present a view of Mumbai as I see it daily. No holds barred. As is where is. Her enamouring beauty and filthy underbelly and all that lies in between is reflected on my blog. My team comprises the people of Mumbai without whom Mumbai would wither and die.

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

• Ans.: Blogging as a medium is very satisfying because of the almost instantaneous reactions of the readers and I make a conscious effort to respond to all the comments by visiting their blogs. Comments are the lifeblood for any blog to survive and grow.

Q: What are the present statistics for your blog, i.e. number of daily visitors, visitors geographical status etc.?

• Ans.: Do not dabble in numbers. But do know it has a far reaching audience.

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?

• Ans.: Blogging is an addiction. Earning from it is secondary and negligible. No way that it has earned me enough to quit my regular day job! Hope it does soon though.

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

• Ans.: Though it is difficult to mention a few as there are plenty my most favorite is ‘Mojo’ who blogs at http://www.blogger.com/profile/03498213932233245032 This guy is amazing and prolific. Another is Sylvia at http://www.blogger.com/profile/05484577678585907669 These are 2 blogs which are a must visit for me. I could go on and on…. There are such wonderful bloggers out there…. I just love it!

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

• Ans.: Be honest to the theme of your blog and respond to all your visitors unfailingly.

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

• Ans.: Blogging for me is a way of sharing with the world all that I experience. And I believe man is complete when he shares.

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

• Ans.: There are so many, cannot enumerate. Can think of the happiest (most recent) was when my daughter walked up on the dais to receive her graduating degree in International Human Relations from the Dean of London School of Economics. The gloomiest was when my dear uncle passed away when we were all gathered for a religious festival in our village.

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?

Ans.:    1) Italy for all the history

2) Greece for all the history

3) France for the romance

Would want to take my wonderful wife of 26+ years with me as we share the same passions for travel and photography.

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

• Ans.: No movies. Yet my favorite is ‘Fiddler on the roof’

Q: How has blogging helped you other than money?

• Ans.: Learning about the world.

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

• Ans.: Nothing.

Q: What is your deepest fear?

• Ans.: Lose sight

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

• Ans.: Sushmita Sen

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

• Ans.: Highway on my Plate.
• All good music.

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

• Ans.: Rs.738/-

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

• Ans.: Sandwiches. No dislikes in particular.

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

• Ans.: It is definitely an assist to simplify life but people love to complicate things.

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

• Ans.: Tweeting is here!

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

• Ans.: Be happy!