Monday, March 29, 2010

The words...

It's been so long since I wrote something. That something which floats to me and teases me to put it into words. That something that compels me to give it a shape though there's no clay around. That something that keeps me away from the love of my life. It's there...I can sense it. But the mind is not quiet. Too much was going on and then now there's nothing. The constant need for the worry, discontentment, and seeking is distracting me. And then there's life.

But I want to write. Especially when I read other's words and feel the beauty in them. The words...I need to write.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Twestival India - It's tomorrow!

Make a difference to 72 million children worldwide


On March 25, 2010, in more than 175 cities around the world, thousands of people will demonstrate social media's power for social good through the second annual Twestival. The global event is a worldwide fundraising initiative that uses social media to focus participants' talent and resources to benefit one cause for one day.

This year, Twestival Global is supporting Concern Worldwide, an international humanitarian organization, with operations in India too, in aid of Education for the underprivileged children of this world.

Twestival will happen on the 25th of March across seven cities in India including Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, Kolkata and Mumbai. These cities will host particular events where over 500 people are expected to participate and rally for education for underprivileged children.

Join them and take part in this global movement to connect people online and offline for a cause.

There are multiple ways to help support this event.
-  Attend the event
-  Donate directly to the charity through one of the India City blogs
-  Sponsor gifts and prizes for the event participants
-  Buy a T-shirt from Myntra.com. 100% of the profits benefit Concern Worldwide
-  Simply spread the word! Blog, tweet and write about us




Bangalore: It's the right time to say Thank God it's a Thursday! Twestival Bangalore gives you the right reason to have an hangover on a Friday morning - Charity! A special night with music, dance and drinks. Rock show by the Galeej Gurus and Repsychled. Nakul Shenoy's Beyond Magic. DJ Eldin at the dance floor. And more. If you in Bangalore, Twestival Bangalore is a must attend to meet your friends as well as to contribute to a social cause. From 7 pm at Opus, Palace Road.

Chennai: A meet and brainstorming session on how to use Social Media for Social Good anchored by Kiruba Shankar. From6 pm at Amethyst, Gopalapuram.

Cochin: ELECTROWESTIVAL, exclusively for Kerala Twestival, by Cochin’s Electro Boy DJ Arvee; Stand Up Comedy by Siddharth, KochiVibe; Techno-Humour Geek Extravaganza by Binny the blogger. From 5 pm at Somewhere Else Café.

Delhi: An entertaining evening with Stand Up Comedy acts, and Rock Music Performance by Five8. From 6 pm at Café Morrison.

Goa: Goa is ready to show the world that it has more than the sun, surf and sand with Twestival Goa – Music and Party too! Music by Back 2 Basix will be followed by an after party and a DJ night with Joel , Ryan Nogar and Claudio. From 6 pm at Lava Lounge, Chicalim.

Kolkata: Great Bong – an international figure, reputed blogger-turned-writer and Twitterati, will participate and share his thoughts on Twitter for a Social cause.Also will feature a Painting Exhibition, Cultural Programmes and a networking session. From 5:30 pm at Natya Bhavan, EE – 8, Sector II, Salt Lake.

Mumbai: An evening of fun, delight, games and networking. From 7 pm at The Coast, Fifth Floor, Crystal Paradise, Off Linking Road, Bandra West.


Are you attending a Twestival in your city?

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Twestival India - An Indian Feast in the making

Originally posted on http://twestival.posterous.com.

It must have been serendipity. I can’t explain getting involved with Twestival in any other way. There I was, in July last year, sipping coffee while wondering how to make my life more meaningful. A chance mention to a colleague, a couple of emails and a Skype call later my life completely changed – I had become the regional coordinator for Twestival in India! At that time, I had little idea of how satisfying, responsible and fun the role will become. Or how almost a year later I will feel so proud and privileged at what we accomplished in 2009, one tweet, one event, one rupee at a time. Though a small amount when converted to dollars, at India, we raised a decent amount for the charities we supported in Twestival Local last year.

In fact, I can safely say that it must very well have been the first time in India that the power of social media for social good was realized.

Today, with Twestival Global just around the corner, we are all ready to make a positive difference to the world we live in. Bigger and better. With a jakkas (as we call it India meaning superb cool) team in place.

This year, seven cities from India will host confirmed events in support of Concern Worldwide – Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, Kolkata, and Mumbai. And possibly Hyderabad and Pune too. Look them up at the globe here.

Being a regional coordinator for these nine cities is like becoming a master chef and helping prepare a full course Indian meal – you want to savor the experience but at the same time you can’t wait to see how tasty the dishes will turn out to be. The bad part of it? The chef can’t eat all the dishes he helps prepare. I can’t be at all the nine events however much I want to be!

Here’s a sneak preview of the wonderful dishes my super specialty chefs (the lead city organizers!) are working on. I have no doubt they will make us go ‘yum’ by the end of March.
Bangalore, well-known as the IT capital of India, true to its young and happening nature will be hosting a mega party on the 25th and a fundraising Cricket tournament on the 28th. Ya, I know. We love Cricket in India and how can Twicket (Twitter/Twestival + Cricket) be far behind?
Chennai, also known as Madras, popular for its music, art and culture, will be hosting 'Evening with a Poet' -a dance drama appreciation festival of an acclaimed Tamil poet.
Cochin, a city in the state of Kerala (we call it the God’s own country for its splendid natural beauty) will be hosting the first ever Twestival of the state. They are just about getting the ingredients ready – the event details will be out soon.
Delhi – If you’ve been to India, you know this one – our capital city. Secret dish in the cooking! Wait for more news.
Goa – oh yes, sun, sand and the magic of Arabian Sea. Goa is all ready to spring a wonderful surprise and I’m guessing there will be magic in the dish along with a hint of drama too!
Kolkata, noted for its revolutionary history, is hosting Twestival for the first time. Secret dish in the cooking again! Let’s wait for more news.
Mumbai, the home to Bollywood, is preparing an evening extravaganza. Maybe a bit of star dust too? I’m waiting to know too!

I can’t be more proud or feel more privileged to be part of the movement called “Twestival”. The things that bring real meaning to your life sometimes start really small and this one did too – with just 140 chars :)