I would like to start off this article with blogger Harish Iyer’s statement that “Blogs are people”. Well this was the first BlogCamp Siddharth Basrur and I attended. The only regret is that we cannot share any videos or photographs as cameras are not allowed in the Microsoft Mumbai office (where the event was held).

Heart Felt
The BlogCamp Mumbai sponsored by iBibo Blogs kicked off with blogger Harish Iyer (who calls himself AHAM) sharing his experience during the devastating Mumbai terror attacks which pushed him to create the blog MumbaiTerrorHelpline. In fact he has now initiated a group by the name of GAP (Group Altruism Proactive) that apparently would “identify the various ‘GAP’s in our administration and society…and bridge it”. While Harish Iyer ran us through his experience he pressed on the fact that “blogging can save lives” and how we should use our clout as bloggers to create a whole new ecosystem in troubled times. Even DigiMouth had featured an article on the impact of online media during the Mumbai terror attacks. Have a look.

And I thought Only Nitrous Oxide Caused Laughter
Blogger Abhishek Thakkar surely knows to start a laughter riot. His topic “Blogging Stories” was entertaining, engaging and edgy. He took us through various online fads that got him blogging. From ego searches on good-old Google to photo blogging, and podcasting in Hindi; Abhishek Thakkar enjoyed them all! His tips to bloggers:

- Sanitise your blogs or your parents will catch you
- Have fake names and IDs
- Pamper Windows by reinstalling it twice a year

Other than propagating his desire to marry nubile girls, Abhishek emphasised on the fact that Hindi podcasts worked wonders in terms of online traffic.  We are waiting for another round of Abhishek’s jocular session in future BlogCamps.

Did You Read the News?
Next in line was DNA Money correspondent Arcopol Chaudhari who had an interactive session with a barrage of questions about the connect (or void) between journalists and bloggers. This was a refreshing session with varied views and debates.

How to Kill a Blog!
The next session titled ‘Pappu Can’t Blog Sala’ was conducted by blogger Dinesh Soni who pointed out the common blunders that murder a potential blog. Here is a list of the familiar goof-ups:
- Cluttering ones blog with Google Ads in a bid to get rich
- Extensive use of SEO keywords for higher Google ranking
- The use of ‘shrt wrds’ (which he termed as SMS language) while writing
- Enforced jargon. Everyone does not like looking up the dictionary. So keep it simple!
- No consistency in posts
- Constantly switching WordPress themes
- Majority of the bloggers stay aloof (in their fictitious cocoons). Networking is the key. Attend BlogCamp!

Google Can’t Answer My Questions. How About Asking God!
Rohan Babu tried initiating an interactive session termed “Reflections” that questioned the relevance, role and responsibility of bloggers. The end result:

- Guys spoke about truth, maya, knowledge and everything that would make a wondrous Osho or Sri Sri Ravi Shankar session.
- We even discovered ones girl’s fascination for Salman Khan and her fears of being surrounded by members from the SRK cartel.

The session came to an end with the revelation that “truth is philosophical” and that humans are “constantly looking for facts and not the truth”. We thank Rohan Babu for a soul seeking session (I delved deep into my soul for answers).

What About Job Security?
Skyn3t (born on earth as Neeraj Pattath) updated us on basic security measures to be followed while blogging. In fact he gave us a lowdown on varied tweaks and cheats that would help us while communicating in this ‘big-bad-world’. My colleague Siddharth Basrur was fancying the coffee machine during this session (I don’t blame him).

Pehchaan Kaun
A long title with a lateral thought always works. IdeaSmithy chose “Anonymity is a Game of Identity”. She talked about a colleague who hounded her while she was busy creating 10 blogs under 4 different ID’s. Currently with 2 popular blogs IdeaSmithy found herself dealing with an online alter ego that helped her vent her feelings. This session was a mix of fun, fetishes and fundas. I wish I could have recorded her session and updated it as a podcast (damn Microsoft).

The Freebie
The final session hosted by Hardik Shah was inclined towards introducing the audience with Windows Live Writer. This free product from the house of Microsoft lets you extend your blogging experience offline. With the Windows Live Writer you can create content and collate data while you are offline. In fact Windows Live Writer comes with a bouquet of features for bloggers. Get your copy right now.

After all the gyaan, networking, caffeine and the free veg pizza BlogCamp Mumbai was worth the wait. In fact the DigiMouth Team congratulates and thanks Hardik Shah, Moksh Juneja and Asfaq Tapia for organising a successful BlogCamp in Mumbai.

Eagerly awaiting the next BlogCamp!