Avoid writing on the same topic regularly: Rajesh Prabhu

Rajesh Prabhu

I am Rajesh Prabhu, born on 21^st November 1971. Young in spirit. But in contrast to this I already have lots of grey hairs and beard. Completed M.Sc in computers, as I did not wish to join Engineering by giving capitation fee. I love watching movies and reading detective novels. My hobbies are Stamp collection, Coin collection, Travel, Photography. My blog “My India Travel(http://myindiantravel.blogspot.com/)” helps me further my passion for travel and photography.

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 first started to blog in Dec 2007. But it intensified only from Apr 2009. As I love traveling across India and photography, I choose this subject for my blog. I wanted to make people aware that there is much more than Taj Mahal in India to be seen. The entire country has many more unique places, which are sufficient to speak for India’s magnanimity.

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: My blog is mainly about various tourist destinations in India. It contains details about each of the sites like history, importance, and images. Occasionally I also write about the culture, festivals of India.
• I run this blog alone.

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 very important for the blogger to interact with the readers. It is these interactions that encourage me to travel and write more about the places. I do respond to all the comments that I receive. I value them.

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

• A: Yes, there is blog counter in my blog and it may be around daily 40 hits. But more than the hits, I am more interested in the comments that I receive. And it is these comments that tell how good or bad the blog has been.

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: The current blog is purely passion. But there has been urge to earn some money through blogging for which I might start totally different blog. But, it will not be easy to manage 2 blogs simultaneously.

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

• A: I visit lot of blogs for what they have to share with us. Some of them are: My Travelogue (http://flutteringandwandering.blogspot.com), Travelling – Ταξίδια (http://taxidiaris.blogspot.com), i Share (http://isharethese.blogspot.com/), Walk the Wilderness (http://walkthewilderness.blogspot.com). There are many more blogs that I visit regularly.

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

• A: It is very difficult to keep the interest of people in your blog. Avoid writing on the same topic regularly. People love to see new item every time they come to your blog. Do not blog just for the sake of it.

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

• A: When I started to blog, it never occurred to me, I would get so much engrossed in it. It gives me immense pleasure to show My India to friends and fellow bloggers through my eyes the way I see it.

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

• A: Happiest moment birth of my 2 kids. Saddest moment is suffering from Slip disc and not able to travel and see many more places.

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: Rome and Russia. Would love to see the distinct architecture in these places. Ladakh. Would love to touch the sky. I would love to go to these places with my wife and kids.

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

• A: I do watch movies. My favorites are Bridge on River Kawai, Enter the Dragon, Baby’s Day Out, Lamhe.

Q: How has blogging helped you other than money?

• A: My blog has never been a means to earn money. It gives me immense satisfaction to write about the places I visit.

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

• A: I do not easily mingle with people unless I am comfortable with them.

Q: What is your deepest fear?

• A: Not being able to travel to see the World

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

• A: Ratan Tata

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

• A: The favorite television shows are Jhansi Ki Rani, CID. I love pop songs both in Hindi and English. “Waiting for a Girl Like you” has been one of my favorites.

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

• A: Rs. 200

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

• A: I love vegetation food and sweets. Other than chicken and fish, I dislike all other meat.

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

• A: Technological advances are good as long as you are not too dependent on them. The moment you depend on them you are crippled.

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

• A: It is already. It has become the medium by which people want to share their ideas and views. Even the film stars promote their movies.

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

• A: Each one of us is unique in our own ways. Do not compare yourself with others. Always try your best to surpass your previous best.