“Problems bring us close and solutions are found together. Moment of sorrow are shared as well as times of joy. And each day our little planet grows”. We have Anouradha Bakshi of Project Why interviewed for you. Project Why is non-profit organisation engaged in education support and life skill enhancement of slum children and their families. To know more about the heart and soul of Project Why, Read on.
Q: When and why did you start blogging? Was it out of curiosity or something else?
A: Exactly four years ago. Necessity more than curiosity. I used to send long emails to a large number of persons informing them about the trials and tribulations of Project Why. I did everything manually as I did not even know how to use a mailing software. That is when one of the recipients of my rather regular missives – God bless him -suggested I start a blog.
Q: What topics do you generally blog about?
A: Mainly about happenings at Project Why but these often blend with the reality of India, an India that lives on the other side of an invisible line.
Q: Do you ever get stuck when writing an entry? What do you do then?
A: What I write often comes out from the heart or rather the guts. It is almost therapeutic and a sort of catharsis. So I seldom get stuck!
Q: Do you earn revenue through your blog? How does one go about it?
A: Yes I do but not for me. A lot of my readers have become donors to Project Why. I rarely ask directly for help – though in times of crisis I do unabashedly – but people seem to realise that project why needs funds to survive. Many of my regular readers are also regular donors.
Q: How important is it for the blogger to interact with their readers? Do you respond to all the comments that you receive?
A: Very important and I guess it is a two way street. For us bloggers it is important to write things that will be read and also to know that one is read. I do respond to all comments and many readers are now virtual friends.
Q: How, in general, would you rate the quality of Indian blogs? Share your favourite five blogs.
A: Very high indeed and it is difficult to single out five of them. My one time favourite.
Q: What do you find to be the most gratifying aspect of blogging?
A: An instant high! The incredible feeling of being a writer and being read. And it worked for me.. a blog I started became a book ‘Dear Popples‘.
Q: Can you tell our readers more about ‘Project why’.
A: Project Why is my way of paying back a huge debt I felt I owe.
Project Why began as a spontaneous reaction to help an unfortunate few, and has grown organically over the past nine years to become an extraordinary life-line that offers many children hope and a future. We reach out to over 900 children in various programmes ranging from education to health to care of the disabled. Its unique feature is that it is entirely self funded (no government, institutions etc) and that it employs only people from the slums. In many ways it is my magnum opus and my swan song.
Q: It is a superb initiative on your part to reach out to the online world through Blogs like your own blog and Intentblog. Do you think blogs have helped you in reaching to an untapped audience?
A: Yes, yes and yes. It opened the world to me and to Project Why!
Q: Anouradha Bakshi spent considerable time of her life outside India! What inspired you to start Project why ?
A: I guess growing up faraway in alien lands makes you dream of your own country and makes you love it almost illogically and then you return one day and see the reality which is very different and a host of unanswered questions plague you and compel you to ask your series of whys??? Project Why seeks to find answers to them.
Q: How difficult is it manage a NGO like Project Why in India?
A: Very difficult and yet very rewarding. To me what has been the most difficult thing is to understand and accept the cynical and distrustful attitude of people around and my own peers.
Q: What promotional techniques work best for you and why?
A: None…
Q: Which tools/plugins do you use to efficiently manage your blog? Any widgets or tips you would like to share with our readers.
A: Just what is available on Blogspot.
Q: What is your advice to someone who wants to start a blog?
A: Just do it!
Thanks a lot Ma’am for the Interview. Project Why is a initiative which is commendable and we are sure our readers would contribute in some way or the other to make it a success.
Connect with Anouradha Bakshi :
Anaiuradha Bakshi is doing good service to the man kind. But the reason for calling it as a poject is not clear. It appears it a mission.
After reading your interview here, I went and visited your site and your blog. I was touched to read all the blogposts and stories about the children! People like you are sent by god to make the mankind realize that in this evil world even good things exist. Thank you