It is customary to profusely thank the Hon’ble Judge, the Editorial Board and the Site (for giving byte space) after winning a contest. That is what we generally do on literary websites. Since, here I did not know who the Hon’ble Judge or Jury members were or the criteria for selecting a winner, I profusely thank all the site administrators/management who deemed it appropriate to select my DP for the first week of the contest and declaring it the most “original write”.
I think it is good manners to thank a site whenever one feels benefited by being its member etc. etc. Having said so, I realize that I have not done that adequately and it is too late now to do so. But better late than never! I can easily go into a rapture and eject flowery phrased eulogy in favour of this website as to how addictive, enriching and enlightening the site is and so on and so forth. But brevity is the soul of all expressions. So, I’d like to state simply that the site has resurrected me as a social animal which speaks loads given my strong reclusive streak. Also, I have found and befriended many endearing, knowledgeable and encouraging like minded souls on this site, interactions with whom, have been an extremely enriching experience. In fact, after joining this site I have become greedy for more such “virtual friendship” as they call it nowadays. A term which I do not understand much as I have seen many “actual friendships” dwindling and degenerating into nothing! All my dear friends are extremely sweet, non-competitive, cooperative and enthusiastic readers. What more does one need? Bacche kii jaan loge kya?
Coming back to winning the contest the first week! Such milestone events are extremely exhilarating. Now, my co-bloggers know that I exist on this site and can write a few lines without making grammatical mistakes ( no pun intended) in a foreign language, meaning which is not my mother tongue, however, we may choose to flaunt English as our common lingua franca ( I solely attribute it to our colonial legacy).
Now the question is why jumping in ecstasy now? Another week has already passed by. Was I sleeping? No, I was waiting for the accolades to come my way – the material ones, which I received yesterday. A Certificate which has already been uploaded for the benefit of all coupled with a gift! Oh yes a solid gift! The child in me is still alive. A gift, a prize is so very invigorating. Also, to quell the doubts of all that this is not a “namesake” contest. So put pen to paper, err, put your fingers on the keyboard and type on……………vent out your creative urge etc. etc.
Interestingly, I remember when I first chanced upon this site…….you won’t believe! It was at the back of an auto that the site name was emblazoned with a cheeky face which I suppose is the logo. Though, the quaint site name registered well, it took another incident for me to seriously go net surfing for it.
One evening I left office late and was looking for an auto when a girl in front of me overtook me and got one (it is sometimes extremely difficult to get conveyance around our Office Complex after a certain time). I cursed myself for not being fast enough but the girl turned out to be very courteous and offered me a lift as our destinations took a common route. I acquiesced and got in. As usual two ladies together…tongues started wagging……she turned out to be a journo attached to HT……………I told her that I have been sending a few articles to the paper but not receiving positive response from them. It is then that she told me about mouth shut. Something clicked. And rest, as the wise men say and I conceitedly agree, is history.
I can hear the guffaws, my friends!
But however you may laugh and make fun, I am here to stay for a while (it is already more than what I anticipated it to be)…………….so bear me or bear with me …..Oops……….traaaaaaaaaaallaaaaaaaaaa…….
Post Script : And oh yes! This post is not inspired or instigated by the site managers!!!!!!!!!!!
