How the time flies.....

It feels like it was yesterday when a group of people felt bored; bored by being a part of so-called blogger groups that only roamed around aimlessly, increased the earnings of CCD, Barista and some other coffee chains, networked with each other and never made any use of it. This boredom led them to do something different, something that no blogger group had ever attempted before. They tried to make a difference.

The risks were high, the stakes even higher. Weathering a storm of hate & cynicism, these brave people paved way for a group of bloggers who wanted to be relevant, bloggers who wanted to rise over the culture of aimless networking and blogger meets. This group of Delhi Bloggers came to be known as Delhi Blog & New Media Society, a group aimed for bloggers and new media enthusiasts who wanted to make a genuine difference.

Looking back at the two years since this group was formed, we can proudly say that we (the whole of DBNMS) have worked hard to achieve this mission and we have done well.

Our achievements are not small, considering the insurmountable odds we have faced. From organizing the first ever blogcamp in National Capital Region to give bloggers a free (free as in thought & beer) & open discussion space of their own, to organizing workshops that taught a lot of people how to blog; on many an occasion teaching people how to use the internet. And not only did we spread the knowledge that we had, we also collaborated with traditional media that normally was averse to blogger opinion, or had just 2-3 default bloggers to talk to. We collaborated with several PR agencies whose clients wanted to take the opinion of bloggers and new media practitioners but didn't know how to. Today major brands host blogger outreach sessions, and DBNMS ensures that the information is not restricted to just 5-6 niche bloggers. As a result, several brands have held very successful blogger outreach sessions, thus benefiting both the brand and the bloggers. And besides the two Blogcamps & several workshops, there are two Twestivals to add to our achievements as well where we tried to do our bit for those in need.

Challenges will come and go. There will always be naysayers and critics, & of course people who want everything for themselves and nothing for the rest, but our commitment will stand! The Delhi Blog & New Media Society will stand steadfast in its beliefs that it is always the community, and not the individual, that matters, a community that every member can be proud of.

A very Happy Birthday to the Delhi Blog & New Media Society. May we get stronger as we grow, may we never falter in our resolve, and may we empower more and more on the way!

Twestival Delhi Fundraiser has a Sponsor – Microsoft Corporation India

We are thankful to Microsoft Corp (India) Pvt. Ltd. for sponsoring Twestival – Twitterers for a cause. If you didn’t know, Microsoft India is also on twitter at @microsoftindia. We will have a touch of technology at the fundraiser with a Touchscreen PC running Windows 7 available at the event.

Twestival Delhi Fundraiser will be on Saturday, Sept 12th 2009 from 6:00 PM onwards. The venue is a nice indoor (in this weather it is better to be indoors, isn’t it?) art gallery of contemporary photos:

Kunzum Gallery, T-49, Ground Floor, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi

Map of the location

Twestival Delhi is contributing to charity:

Khushboo Welfare Society, Sector 10 A, (Near Lions Public School), Gurgaon

At the fundraiser, you will be able to meet and network with other twitters and bloggers from Delhi. We have planned the fundraiser to be a meet and greet event. We will also have some fun games (courtesy @nidhi8519) where you can win some exciting prizes (like movie DVDs). In addition, we will have FREE beer and finger food for you to keep the “spirits” high :)

Being a fundraiser, we do request a minimum donation for the charity we are supporting. Your donations will be directly received by the charity’s representative and they will issue receipt. With the sponsorship from @microsoftindia, we are happy to revise the minimum donation down to Rs 500/- (from earlier 1000). This is lesser than what you spend at a restaurant for a meal!

Let us show the world the heart Delhi has and give our love to disabled children by supporting Khushboo.

We understand that some of you may not be able to make it to the event. You still have an option of making an online donation to Khushboo (min Rs 500) at: http://www.giveindia.org/give/pledgepage/Fundraiser
Please mention in comments that you heard about it at Twestival.

Please feel free to get in touch with @baxiabhishek on 9871127378 for any help on the venue or the event.

If you are interested in blogging and social media, you may want to join like minded bloggers and social media enthusiasts at the mailing list or follow @delhibloggers.

Twestival Delhi Fundraiser 2009

Target Fundraising Amount: INR 25,000/-

Delhi Bloggers and New Media Society (DBNMS) is pleased to announce the Twestival Delhi Fundraiser 2009. Twestival is a global series of events organized by volunteers around the world which brings people offline for a great cause.  Twestival is run 100% by volunteers with target fundraising amount.

At the fundraiser, you will meet people from twitter face to face and have the opportunity to network with them. We will be providing a drink and light food at the event.

This being a fundraiser event, we have a donation requirement with proceeds going to the charity. In addition, all the people who donate will be entered into a raffle to win goodies donated by the members for this purpose.

We also need your support on spreading the word about this event. Please blog/ tweet or shout about this event wherever you can :).

Date:
Sept 12 2009

Time:
6:00 PM onwards

Venue:
Kunzum Gallery, T-49, Ground Floor, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi

Associated Charity:

Khushboo Welfare Society

Sector 10 A, (Near Lions Public School), Gurgaon

Mission: To be a professional organisation providing care facility and rehabilitation for disabled individuals as well as empowering and sensitizing one and all.

Minimum Donation:

Online (http://www.giveindia.org/give/pledgepage/Fundraiser): INR 1000/-

Please indicate in comments that this is towards the Twestival.

At venue: INR 1200/-

A representative from the charity will be available at the venue to issue receipts and tax exemption certificate.

Due to the limited size of the venue (40 pax), we will give priority entry to people who have made online donation before Sept 10 2009.

Logistics:

We have created a page where you can co-ordinate with other attendees for car pooling and networking. Also, you can mention the items you can donate for raffle at the event: http://wiki.delhibloggers.in/delhi-bloggers-meets

We are excited to be meeting you in person at the Twestival Fundraiser.

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For those who are not able to attend the event in person, we encourage you to donate online at: http://www.giveindia.org/give/pledgepage/Fundraiser

In case you know of any individual/organisation who would like to make a donation to the cause, please put them in touch with us at: abhishek@ibnms.com

Please follow @delhibloggers to stay abreast of the latest developments on Twestival. Also, let us know in case you would like to volunteer for this event by replying to @delhibloggers.

If you haven’t still joined the Delhi Bloggers (with over 400 bloggers) mailing list, you can do so at the Delhi Bloggers Mailing list.

Sponsors:

Planning Twestival Delhi 2009

After the Twestival event of Feb 12th, Delhi Blog and New Media Society is planning another one. Twestivals are done globally (in around 202 cities) by volunteers as gathering of tweeple (aka people on twitter) with a view to make a social contribution.

The planning for Twestival Delhi is underway. We are working with 2-3 NGOs and will be selecting one to associate with. The current format being planned is a combination of fundraiser party and on the grounds volunteer work. The party will facilitate meeting of the twitter people face to face. On the grounds volunteer work will extend the impact of cause we select to beyond the party.

We welcome any feedback that you may have on the event structure as proposed above in comments.

Today we are asking you to keep your time free on Saturday, Sept 12 2009 from 6 PM onwards for the Twestival Delhi. The location of the party will be announced shortly. Since this is a fundraiser event, there will be a donation required with proceeds going to the cause we select.

Please follow @delhibloggers to stay abreast of the latest developments on Twestival planning. Also, let us know in case you would like to volunteer for this event by replying to @delhibloggers.

Hope to see all the Delhi Tweeples at the Twestival shortly!

Photo Courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amit_gupta

IndiBloggers and DelhiBloggers announce Bloggers Meet on April 4th

IndiBlogger.in, in partnership with the Delhi Blog and New Media Society, are proud to present the Bloggers Meet on April 4th. You can expect the bonhomie and networking associated with IndiBloggers at the event.

When?
Saturday, 4th April 2009 at 3PM

Where?
9th Floor
Microsoft Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd
DLF Cyber Green, DLF Cyber Citi
Sector 25A, Phase3, Gurgaon – 122002

Is it free?
Yes, it's free.

What’s the plan?
The agenda is living and is available on the blogger meet page.

How do I register?
RSVP at the official meeting page, where you will find a link to confirm your attendance:
http://www.indiblogger.in/bloggermeet.php?id=33

The organizers can be reached at +919880518019

Meeting sponsor

Map:

View Larger Map

Tweet. Meet. Give. Wear.

If you are enthusiastic about Twestival in Delhi, you would sure want to wear the official Twestival shirt!

The nice guys at Pringoo have offered to pitch in their support for the event and fund-raising. You can order a Twestival T-shirt from http://pringoo.com/twestival at INR 400 only (Yes, that’s cheaper than the global store ;)) and Pringoo would donate 100% profits raised from selling these tees to charity:water.

So go ahead, order one today so that you can wear one on February 12, and also do your bit for fund-raising.

Tweet. Meet. Give: How-to?

Here are the details of the Delhi Twestival mentioned in our last post.

There is NO registration, and no participation fees. Interested? Turn up for the event. Though the intention is fund-raising, we wouldn’t have wanted a selected paid audience for a networking and learning event. So, everyone’s invited for sharing their Twitter tales. We would hope to raise funds through voluntary donations.

Here’s how you can help, and we would hope you do:

• Tipjoy
  • http://tipjoy.com/twestival/
  • Requires credit card or Paypal account.
  • Make sure you select Delhi as your city, so that your contribution is added to city total.
• On the spot
  • If you are turning up for the event, use the donation box there.
  • Also specify, your name and the amount you’ve donated.
  • We’ll post a list of donors, and donate the dollar equivalent through Tipjoy.
• Sponsor/Advertise
  • If you represent an organization, we would appreciate donation or sponsorships for raffle prizes/giveaways.
  • Drop in a line.
  • You’ll get big props and event space/time.

Also, if you would want to speak on any specific topic related to Twitter, its engagement or value, drop me a line.

Contact: Abhishek Baxi | +91 987 112 7378 | abby@baxiabhishek.info | @baxiabhishek