Interview with Blogger Hammad Memon

By The Pakistani Spectator • Jan 19th, 2008 • Category: Interviews • (393 views) • No Responses

I am Hammad Maqbool Memon from Hyderabad, Pakistan. Loves to blog, design and watch movies. Basically I am an undergraduate pharmacist in my 4th year. I blog because I love to since my teenage years to make a presence on internet as a Pakistani. I have to blogs one with some random and personal stuff and second one as my Tech Blog where I also designs, it Digital Lounge.

Could you tell us what made you decide to blog?

My nature to explore new things, to access new information and my interest in internet.
Although SAJ Shirazi was the first blog I visited, his writings inspired me a lot but it
was the sticky blogger icon which attracted me to be one of them. It’s about 4-5 years
now.

What do you think sets your blog apart from other blogs?

Nothing, I am still at learners deck try to improve my ways of blogging. I just provide
my readers the catchy but a tolerated content about everything.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success, what would it be?

yup, it’s my thirst for exploring new things every time.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

When I realized I am in love.

Urdu Blogs have got huge potential, when do you think they will really take on the online horizon in Pakistan?

yup, they have enough potential to advance the online Urdu language readership to next
level only if they focus on what reader’s read and the genuine content with variety.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top choices be?

First I’ll be visiting the Medina then Egypt and in last New York.

What is your favorite book and why?

My favorite book is one novel of Sax Rohmer Daughter of Fu Manchu. I never read such fiction. I recommend it to all.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

Eyes, they speak and I try to read, you can also listen to someone’s inner silence
through them.

Do you think Pakistani politicians could benefit from the social networks and things like twitter?

They would have already, may be some brains are all needed.

Whose Future is more bright in Pakistan; English blogs or Urdu Blogs?

Of course English ones today but turtle have to win in the end. Urdu blogs will be
popular one day.

How Pakistani bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

It’s like a hobby for everyone in foreign, but here also youngsters should try blogging
as a hobby to quench their thirst of knowledge and for earning Google Adds is already
there as big opportunity to earn some bucks. Although certain factors really aren’t still
available for Paki’s in compare to neighbor countries. Like, one thing can boost earning
online with blogging and websites for Paki’s would be an exact alternative of PayPal.
Pakistani blogging market is lacking it hardly.

Do you think Pakistani bloggers tend to remain somewhat self-centered and really don’t go out of their shells? Is it the oriental style of blogging, or they are still unsure about it?

Everyone blogs with a style to survive blogging factor, it’s natural and that’s why we
sometime call our blogs as online journals and next moment a personal e-home. I myself
experience many instances, where Paki blogger’s fail to avail the opportunities (may be
some lack of ideas). Best idea ever happened to our blogging is the launch of Pakistani
Bloggers Gallery (bloggers.pk) I joined it with proud and loved to be part of it and my
name into its blogroll. Similar ideas are needed to rock our country’s blogging factor as
we are united always, remember the example of Blog Ban in Pakistan.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?

yeah, that’s true. I agree. They are often difficult to reach.

What are your thoughts on corporate blogs and what do you think the biggest advantages and disadvantages are?

It really helps in sharing and hey that’s the sole spirit of blogging.

Does it pain you or proud you that we have made a history by electing a uniform general as our president?

I personally adore him a lot, but the facts are making me against him and about electing
a president we did what was the need of that time, and you can’t deny it. Many things and
facts are now changed so are the people thinking.

Do you think this whole emphasis on blogs and whatever online is a significant indicator to show that the web, the social web, is becoming a very important social force?

It’s not like emphasis; it’s the blogging factor which is luring its presence itself with
a steady speed.

What do you think where the Pakistani blogosphere is right now?

They are in charge now completely not only for themselves as well as for the country.
Quality blogging in our country is progressing day by day, and blogger’s post by post.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers in Pakistan?

Dr.Awab, Adil Najam, SAJ Shirazi, Qurratulain, Asma Mirza.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger in Pakistani blogosphere?

Yes, he is non other then Mr. Adil Najam, it can’t be explained in words. His blog’s
content is somewhat really appreciatable.

What is the future of blogging in Pakistan?

Very bright, even a prosperous one, because there are people who still use internet as
the sole information source on current affairs, and as long as Paki’s are blogging we are
making a difference by serving others, one way to another.

In political respect, can we say blogging a ‘democracy of message’?

Yes, and No. Yes if a neutral aspect is put forward and No when adulterated info is being
delivered.

Can Pakistani blogosphere play any notable role in the forthcoming elections, if they happen at all?

They will be but as silent as the roar of poverty. We will see then.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?

It really affects my life, more and more each day. Even my personal life roams around my
blogging life since my serious blogging of 2 years.

What are your future plans?

To start offering my designs, then eventually the proper setup of my Designing. As I also
designs at one of my blog with the name Digital Lounge.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?

“Don’t compromise on Time”.