I know it folks; this post is late. Like the slow coach that I am, I could sit down to write something only today. Last time around when the Indiblogger Meet had been held in Delhi, my granddaughter had been there and got precedence over the meet. I had come in only towards the fag end of the meet, but this year since I was at a loose end, I decided to go early. The party started even as I got out of the metro station and was presented with a brilliant bouquet of chrysanthemums by the Sunshine Girl. That set the tone of the Indiblogger meet thereafter.
I noticed with dismay that the hall was half full when we entered. I was not dismayed that there were so many people, but because I knew I would never be able to get to know them all individually, which I so wanted to do! But all those that I managed to meet up with each sprung a surprise on me. The first casualty was Renie. I just had to meet the boy who had been at the receiving end of the stick so to speak, on mails from me over the months. I remember him once telling me, ‘When I read your mails, it is as if you are wagging your finger at me.’ Well, so much for Nag power!
As I approached his table, he came forward, ‘Hello Aunty,’ he said. I want to share the conversation I had with him thereafter:
Me: How did you know who I am? You have not seen me before!
RR: No one but you could have come with so much authority.
Me: You mean aggression, don’t you?
RR: Grins sheepishly…
Then there was Ravi. I have never met an army man who has such a wacky sense of humour as he does. His impeccable manners and erect gait might betray his background but his blog is anything but staid.
Don’t ask me why, but I always thought Arvind Passey was a tech blogger and his being the Samsung Brand ambassador and all had rather made me hesitant to introduce myself. After all what would a personal blogger and that too with a name like Cybernag have in common with him? But I saw him interact with the others, lead a team of enthusiastic bloggers to win the HP treasure hunt and generally enjoy himself so much that I lost some of my reservations. And when I and met his beautiful wife who is also a newbie blogger, I was encouraged to plunge into introductions. His round up of the Blogger meet made me glad that I had made the first move to get to know the couple.
My head turned 360 degrees in excitement to see the Dog with the Blog, wondering if it was a mastiff or a pug or a Labrador, but was disappointed to only see a young boy representing the actual blogger Kalicharan, who had not come on account of not being a human. And I thought Indiblogger was fair!
Award on behalf of the canine blogger Kalicharan
Another name that caught my attention was Aishwarya. With a blog called Aishwarya Eats, I was intrigued enough to want to meet her but when everyone dispersed for tea, I got lost looking for her. Aishwarya, will you please report to the Cybernag? During the chart-paper session when bloggers wrote their comments on each other’s card, one young boy came asking for mine. ‘I have to write a comment,’ he said writing, ‘The lady with the belan, great Marketing strategy!’ My dear Madhav, it is my persona not marketing strategy !
There were bloggers with a mission too. The girl with a blog on liver transplants appealed to the all present to consider organ donation in such an impassioned tone that one wanted to pledge them then and there.
The organizers were giving away HP flash drives and printers left right and centre and I thought I would at least get a pen drive, if not a printer. I couldn’t get an HP Original tag nor wore a turban, not qualified for any of the things the goodies were given for. But there must be something! And looking around, I had a flash – not the drive kind, but the idea kind. I confronted Anoop: ‘How about giving pen drives to those in saris? After all you gave them to those wearing turbans.’ The poor boy looked startled at being accosted unceremoniously thus by a middle-aged woman looking dangerous and made his escape quickly as if fearing the trademark belan finding its mark! Suffice to say that my ingenious ruse didn’t work and I came back pen-driveless.
There were so many more new bloggers I met and missed meeting including the youngest blogger who was just eleven. I am still trying to visit them all and will get there eventually. I have come to one conclusion though: I need several Indiblogger meets to get to know and remember the huge number of bloggers that are there in Delhi. So when is the next one, Inditeam?
In all the hubbub it didn’t occur to me that no one called me Zephyr, but only addressed me as Cybernag. This profound truth sunk in later, much later. And that makes me happy. After all, getting identified with your blog is the ultimate recognition any blogger would want, don’t you think?
The Cybernag 
it was an interesting meet for sure..i was there too..but did not blog about my experience fo the same…thought so many bloggers will be doing it and for a change i will just read them!!
http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in/
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But how come you are reading this after so many months? 🙂
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I should attend one of these meets sometime. Looks like a fun afternoon of connecting with the real people behind the interesting blogposts and catchy pseudonyms.
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You should. It is, as you say a great way to meet people and make friends in real time 🙂
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Am too jealous. Indiblogger, please arrange a meet in Mumbai and PLEASE DO TALK TO ME BEFORE DECIDING THE DATES ;-P I just cannot afford to loose the meet again.
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Aww Mohit, you can always go wherever the meet is being held. It need not only be in Mumbai. 🙂
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The creativity in the blogs is missing these days….but it’s a very good blog
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That sounds like a compliment to my blog. Is it? 😀
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Dear mami, something for u at my space
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Thanks Bhagya, Just came back from there.
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Wow! your post on the meet sounds more fun than probably the actual fun.
I missed the Bangalore meet. My relative broke her arm on that day 😦
I so want to see the people whose internet homes, I frequent.
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I can assure you that it was even more fun than I wrote about. Next time, pray no one breaks an arm or leg so that you can attend the meet. 😀
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Enjoyed reading your post. It was nice to meet so many bloggers at the meet. It was surely a unforgettable experience for me. How I wish I could write so well and more often!
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Nice to get to know you too Sangeeta. Arvind mailed me your blog url. I will visit it soon. Thanks for the comment. 🙂
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AH I dont know if i will ever be able to attend one .. it seems each time i am there in india nothing happenes and when i come back a meet takes place ..
you had a good time I read about it at some of the blogs I visit regularly ..
thanks for sharing
Bikram’s
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In that case, the best thing is to organise one where you are and ask the Indi people to help. And yes, these meets are fun and everyone has a great time meeting and getting to know each other.
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Love the energy and bon-homie of the meet and love the way you connect to people !!
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That’s why bloggers’ meets are organised, so that the bonhomie among of the community grows. And thank you for the compliment 😀
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lovely recall of the Delhi extravaganza Zephyr oops cybernag- missed out the Bangalore meet as I became an Indiblogger post that:(
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You could still have made it, like I told Antarik, and asked the team to include you. You are a blogger after all !
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Fate conspired and made sure I made it to the Indimeet. Like a true mentor you put the spotlight on the newbies.
And it’s always a pleasure to meet the faces behind the words. Looking forward to many more by the Indiblogger team.
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Fate indeed was favoured me that afternoon when you decided to come 🙂 It would not have been the same without yo there! Anoop did say that it was a record turnout and that should make them realise that there should be more meets in Delhi now.
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I so wanted to be there. But my late introduction to Indiblogger made sure that no seats were left. I hope there is another meeting soon here in Delhi. From reading your account I can actually feel the amount of fun that I am missing!
Nyc entry btw! 🙂
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Did you try calling the Inditeam? you could have come because not all those registered turn up eventually. So next time this happens, remember to ask. Remember the mobile service ad? You never know if you will get a positive response. I forget the brand 🙂
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This is an interesting account of the Meet. I had ne’er been able to attend until now…hope to sometime soon. Meeting so many blogger friends whom one has known for so long and not yet seen…it’s so exciting!!!! Nice post CN(as you so like being addressed:))
Regards
Deepa
http://deepazworld.blogspot.com/
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I am sorry Deepa, this comment had gone into spam and I just unspammed it. These meets are meant for the bloggers to get to know each other and mix with them, helping to network better. So the next time around, do attend it if you are in town. 🙂
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This meet sure sounds like fun. I missed the the last two Indiblogger meets in Mumbai as I was in Delhi and I think on one of those days I met you 🙂
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I remember. Thanks to the Indiblogger meet at Delhi and the round ups given by so many of us, the next one in any city is bound to be a full house as this one was!
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I wish I cud also meet you.
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Maybe we could, when we come to Pune sometime in the coming weeks. I am in mumbai right now. Hoping to meet Siddharth 🙂
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Go Indibloggers! Sounds like it was a lot of fun. A great post and I enjoyed it all to the end – as always.
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Thank you Otto. If you are in Delhi, please let me know. I would love to meet you 🙂
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Okie..read read here… okie? *you know what I am talking about*
But awesome..you got to meet up with SO MANY PEOPLE…I am so so jealous 🙂
…so did you get the pendrive?
and can I say you resemble your virtual persona? *Runs away before I get hit by that belan*
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No,I don’t know what you mean and since it seems to be something sinister, I would rather have the explanation in my mailbox and not in the comment field, ok? No Anoop got scared and vanished from sight 😀 Now that I know where you live, I will really come and get you with my belan 🙂
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so you do look like your virtual persona…because that’s how i imagined you.
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Virtual persona as in the belan wielding one or the other one? 🙂 When are we meeting?
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It was great meeting you ! I was very skeptical about going since I usually shy away from meeting people but I am so glad I went !
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It indeed was great meeting so many of the bloggers, some known but mostly unknown. Now that there is going to be another meet in Delhi of women bloggers, you can strengthen the bonds of friendship and make new ones. Unfortunately I wont be there 😦
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Aha! The cream of delhi all at one place, thanks for such a sweet and an interesting post 🙂 I myself never have had a chance to attend any of them till now, but I have always heard the meets to be fun.. And though I tend to be a bit shy and an introvert by nature but after reading so many posts like this one, all of them painting a loving picture, I do fancy attending as well as enjoying one of these someday 🙂
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You should attend one when it comes to your city or if you can go to another city too! Everyone is very friendly and it is precisely to lose one’s reserve that we attend these meets.
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”…a wacky sense of humour..” well, that is the last of the senses left, half alive and ungracefully kicking. The remainder is web refuse, swept aside as spam. 😀 Well… on a serious note (which is a rarity for me), it is an honour to find a mention in your high pedestal ‘nag’. Thank you.
Besides, for the rest of your posts..very profound writing !!!!
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I would any that my sense of humour is the last one of the senses left 🙂 And as for the last part of your comment, is it also an outcome of this sense or is it meant seriously? 😀
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Hahaha… you caught me on slippery ground.That was stated with momentary enlightenment.thus, true.
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I hereby give you the benefit of doubt and take the comment at face value 🙂
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Nice! I’ve heard from multiple sources that it was a lot of fun!
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You are a Delhiite aren’t you? I missed you there too.
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No.. No.. Pure Bred Bangalorean. 🙂 (if i may)
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I meant Delhiite by virtue of living there too. Not all of the Delhiites are born here. 🙂 I thought you lived in Delhi.
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Hehe.. Well, as long as its not just by virtue.
Nope, I live in Bangalore. Did a short stint in Chennai, but I’m back!
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Now you have gone and done it! Fortunately for you my blog is not so popular to be read by thousands and get the Delhiites on your head 😀
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Shhh! 🙂 I don’t want this to go viral
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not to worry. my blog is a granny blog, remember? 😀 No one would suspect anything 😉
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well, i was there and did notice you…… though never came up to you……… there were so many people……this was my 4th Indi-meet and was the largest by far……………
see you around….. 🙂
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I wish you had, because you were one of those I had wanted to meet. I have a vision problem that makes it difficult to see faces properly. Anyway, next time 🙂
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That was quite a congregation! Before you wonder, I saw the photos on Indiblogger’s Facebook page. I could further feed my imagination out of your lucid post. God bless the bloggers.
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See how enjoyable blogger meets are. so the next time do be there when it happens in your city. 🙂
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You actually went and asked for pen drives for those who wore saris? Wish it had worked.
🙂
Abha
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It obviously didn’t work out 😦 But what is the harm in trying? 😀
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LOL! Nice post. I do remember your request for giveaways for wearing a saree but there we countless requests similar to that like “I am wearing red” to “Dont you give prizes for wearing boots??” to just saying “I want a printer, just make it happen” … Needless to say .. I politely got the hell out of there 🙂
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I could see that you really beat a hasty retreat and took care to be out of my range of vision 😀
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refreshing post on the meet!
and hey have stored your number on my phone against the name Cybernag!! 🙂
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Thank you! You made my day, week, month and year too 😀
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nice post!! looks like u all had a lot of fun meeting each other! wish i could attend such a meet too….. meanwhile, waiting to meet u…
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They have more bloggers’ meets in Mumbai and Bangalore than Delhi. You could join in the next time round, I guess 🙂 Waiting to meet you too!
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Jealousy is green,jealousy is me.Right now…You have a lot of fun with bloggers meets and all…And a 11 year old blogger? Whoa…
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They get younger and younger. How about organising a blogger meet in Singapore? I am sure Indi will help out. 🙂
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Blue Lotus My son is 9, and he recently started blogging. And, I feel a lot of pride in the way he writes and the stuff he writes about. They are getting younger certainly!
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Nice read! I have myself never attended any of these Indiblogger meets. Call it lethargy or the commuting that puts me off or the lack of time. Though, I would love to meet so many wonderful bloggers of Bangalore. But, good to read your account. I would be a bit mortified myself when confronted with the lady with the belan :).
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Next time, don’t miss it. You can go with your kids since Sid has a blog too 🙂 I guess those who saw me for the first time must have wondered where the said item was but were too scared to even ask about it 🙂
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Yep and hubby too, as he has a couple of blogs :). Let’s see when the next one is in Bangalore. About the belan, you are right! Who would risk you whipping out a belan in a jiffy from your pallu and then giving a whack on the head on being asked where it is :).
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Ha ha ha. that was priceless! So you are a family of bloggers are you? You could be a unique phenomenon at any meet. Go the next time there is one in Bangalore, will you?
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i had come to your site but never actually got to read it.now corrected my mistake but i still say it, the lady with belan, great marketing stratergy
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LOL suit yourself Madhav. But it was not meant to be one when I gave it to my blog. As for names, it is not a gender thing since men have their preferences too. 🙂
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I am still feeling bad i could not as many bloggers as i wanted. Trying to make up for it by clicking on their links whenever i see one.
You forgot i called you Sapphire….
The meet was just too good this time.
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Oh yes, you did, didn’t you? I share your regret of not being able to meet many more of them too.
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wow.. cool. I hope we will get to meet this coming january. Now is that a blogger meet or you just travelling to your old city – chuma like that ! 😉
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Hope we can meet too. It is a personal trip and I am meeting bloggers who are available and have time for a meet-up. That’s all.
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Well, if I were there, I would called you Zee… That sounds like a fun meet. Thanks to you, I looked up the pics posted on Indiblogger FB site too. Looks like a nice meetup!
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That it was. And Zee sounds rad, doesn’t it? Only someone might have thought that the channel had sent someone to cover the meet 🙂
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Think about it – in the name of a channel coverage, you could have got top billing 🙂
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That’s a loyal reader speaking. 🙂
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🙂 Chithi I didn’t call you CN or Zephyr either 😉 and did no one read the secret I revealed about you??
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Ha ha. But you gave me another name already, didn’t you? 🙂
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I agree 🙂 I also like to be called IHM or Indian Homemaker more than my other name 😀
I too was disappointed that a blogger called Kalicharan was discriminated against, he had to send a representative!! 😀 🙂
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You are THE Indian Homemaker 🙂 — the one and only!
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thats because you are known to people by that name.i am not a woman so i cant understand what it means but like i ve been told by a frend ‘she knows what it feels like’ 🙂
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Thanks for empathizing with the canine cause…how true was Orwell when he quipped, ‘Two legs bad. Four legs good’ 🙂
Here’s to revolution!
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So nice to have you here Kaalicharan. Looking at the two-legged specimens that we have become, your brethren are more superior to us any day! 🙂
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More power to Indibloggers 😀
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Yeah! 😀
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this is a nice recall of the meet. i know only Madhav from the people you mentioned here
younger blogger @ 11 ? wow! i had just ‘seen’ a computer then when i was 11 :DD
so did the saree idea work?
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They are getting younger and younger. Sadly the sari idea didn’t work. 😦
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I envy you and everyone who attended it 😦 i missed this at chennai 😦
http://deepakkarthikspeaks.blogspot.com
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Next time be there. It is a wonderful way to connect with the people who are behind the blogs we follow 🙂
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