Interview with Blogger Sujoy Singha

By The Pakistani Spectator • Jul 5th, 2008 • Category: Interviews • One Response

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?

I am Sujoy Singha. 25 years of age, and have been working for 3 years as a Software Engineer, in a big IT giant MNC. I did my Engineering from National Institute of Technology,Silchar. I also blog for http://techkeyla.com and http://oneknightstands.net/.

Techkeyla.com is my website where I discuss events occurring in the world of Technology which I come across in my day to day life, mostly on the internet. I express my opinions on topics which are mostly related to Web 2.0, social networking, Internet, Gadgets and Open Source software and services. I also tend to discuss about issues which other bloggers have discussed

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?

Well yes, definitely. I started blogging in 2005, and as I look back, my style of writing has grown in terms of quality, readability and precision of content in the years. I started as a newcomer to the medium, and as my reader base grew, I started discovering the responsibility I owe to my readers of providing information which is true, and had to be verified from at least a reliable source.
It is important for me to grow as a writer, solely because of the reason why I started it all in the first place. And that is because I love writing, especially when I am discussing my favorite topics of Technology.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?

I maintain two websites all by myself. And there have been quite a few instances which have made the experience worthwhile as of now.

On my tech based website: It is really good to see readers commenting and discussing your topic not only in the comments section of the post, but also in internet forums elsewhere. But more than that, an event like this one, when I am being interviewed for my blog, is definitely memorable.

Apart from that, one of my most memorable experiences would be getting to host my blogs on a domain, moving ahead from Blogger’s free service and moving ahead.

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?

In my local vicinity, we do have blogger meets where we socialize and get to meet other bloggers and even get to know about their body of work. Apart from that, the internet is full of social networking websites viz. Orkut, Facebook, Bebo, MySpace and Twitter etc. where I have made a lot of online mates and have joined relevant communities to keep communicating with other bloggers. And well, the most obvious steps include visiting other blogs and commenting on them.

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?

Yes, very much. Technology has brought the entire world together. Today, if Steve Jobs is addressing at WWDC in San Francisco, with the power of Web 2.0, I get to read his entire speech as it happens (That’s Live Blogging). And that is even,not at all a revolutionary technology. A huge online community would be busy within the next few minutes discussing about the whole event.

People have become more and more responsive with access to almost all information in a click. It is well, but a personal opinion if ignorance is bliss.

What do you think sets Your site apart from others?

The honest answer to that will be nothing. Because, I am not here to compete. I am just here to write my stuff. There are thousands of websites in hundreds of languages which may express the same/different views. But it is also true that in Web 2.0, we all can co-exist. And that is the beauty of blogging.

I might not be the one to break any news. I might also not be the smartest guy around with technology reviews. But yes, I can surely discuss technology, in a lay man’s language. That would set me apart from at least the major lot, I suppose (without being snobbish at all).

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

I would choose an organized characteristic for me. I think it is an important trait which is required when you set out to achieve success, irrespective of any path of career you choose. I sometimes feel lacking in it, when I see people who are more and more organized than me. For sure, it can be worked upon, but it would be very nice if I were to have it since I was a child.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

I didn’t know this questionnaire had personal questions as well. Happiest moments cannot be ranked one after another. Each happy moment has been special to me and it wouldn’t be fair to choose one from the bunch.

As for gloomy moments, I have had some in my life, but I work hard to forget them. So, by now, I can’t remember any.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?

New York- Big Apple

Cupertino – Home of Apple

Tokyo – Home of Jap-Anime

What is your favorite book and why?

I read a lot of comics and Manga. Do they qualify?

If you go for books, I have read only a very few in my life. Of all them, I’d choose Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code to be my favorite as of now, primarily because it showed the amount of research/imagination of the author, as well as, the proficiency in creating the ambience and environment of events through words. My friend suggests me to read Ludlum’s works, and I think I will be reading them soon.

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

I would notice his/her command over language and the confidence level with which he/she communicates.

Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?

Oh yes many, including my English teacher back at school. I never gave standard answers which were marks friendly.

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

There are ways to generate income through blogs. Though I do not blog professionally, and haven’t made a reasonable income from my blogs, there are bloggers who make their entire living from it, and even make a killing. I am still searching for the answer to this question myself.

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

It might be true, and might not be as well. I blog whenever I can. It does not come across as a hindrance to my work (may be the other way around is true). But I do know of people who have very tight schedules but also regularly maintain their blogs which are successful as well.

Leaving aside the bandwagon of celebs (read Bollywood celebs) who cash in on their celeb status to catapult their online presence, there are in fact people with demanding careers who also blog and do a commendable job at it too.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world friendlier and less hostile?

Bloggers have the biggest tool that any free nation can provide- the freedom of expression. Sometimes, most do not understand the responsibility underneath this power, but for those who do, they are the ones who create a welcoming environment for everyone irrespective of nationality, color, creed or even sexual orientation.

Perhaps, this will dawn with more and more education reaching out to people.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?

Amit Agarwal -Labnol.org

Arnab Ray –Greatbong.net

Michael Arrington –Techcrunch.com

Daniel Lyons –Fake Steve

Jason Falls- SocialMediaExplorer.com

Can I add another one? Sujoy Singha – Techkeyla.com

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?

Oh yes, quite a few. My posts on Apple related products have been met with praise at times. But sometimes, when I write something which is not a very friendly adjective, the reactions have been quite strong. It sends a huge message, lots of Apple fans out there.

Similar is the case with my other website (oneknightstands.net).

I did a post on A.R. Rahman’s music in Jodhaa Akbar. It received a long list of harsh comments and their equally opposing supportive comments.

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?

One interesting thing about bloggers and visitors from Pakistan who visit and comment on my blogs is that they always mention that they are from Pakistan unlike any other visitor from any other nation. That sends a strong signal of the pride of your nationality; in the same way I am proud to be an Indian.

Pakistan is a very tech savvy nation and I have read a few blogs written by Pakistani bloggers which offer some of the most innovative tips and tricks. Also, as one of the most active nations on Orkut, most tech communities in social networks are moderated and actively participated by Pakistanis. As a whole, I believe, that my blog reaches out to my Pakistani friends. J

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

Oh yes, quite a lot of times. It would take another seven hundred and fifty three pages if I were to start citing examples on it.

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?

A developed country is one where most people take their advantages and advances for granted. For developing nations like ours, we always strive to stay ahead in the race. And that is why we do not just exist, but we thrive.

What is the future of blogging?

There are lots of market analyst reports predicting the future of blogging.

Of how, the entire marketing business could target bloggers in order to reach to the customer even at the local level, so on and so forth. Blogging has been an integral part of our culture for at least 6 years now, and with Web 2.0 almost having reached its pinnacle, and with the emergence of a new Web 3.0 environment, there are possibilities to be imagined and worlds to be explored.

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

I consider blogging to be a part of my personal life. And well, at tough times, when work has a toll on me, I do consider it as a part of my professional life as well. Jokes apart, I haven’t had to sacrifice on any of them for blogging. When it gets to you that blogging is in some way (known or unknown) affecting your life, that is when it all dies out.

What are your future plans?

Professionally, I plan to go for my higher studies soon to pursue my Masters. As for my blog, I will continue to blog on my two blogs-Techkeyla.com and OneKnightStands.net on the topics which are dear to me.

As in the words of Robert Frost-

“The woods are lovely dark and deep

But I have promises to keep

And miles to go before I sleep

And miles to go before I sleep”.

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

Thank you for reading my interview. I hope you enjoy reading my blogs, posts and be generous enough to click the ads. J. And keep reading them more and more. Thank you once again.