Awards and links to some other blogs
Have been sitting on some awards for a while. Quite a few people have expressed the view that blog awards are getting rather nepotisitc and do the rounds among the same blogs, and ultimately everyone is awarded and there isn’t really a quality check. On the other hand, the rather democratic nature of this process where everyone is recognised is quite nice. No one need feel left out!
Start of aside:
Many years ago my parents were invited to judge some children in a play along with some others and award the “best actress of the evening” etc. In the end they decided to award everyone and insisted all the kids get a certificate because the play was a team effort. I was really mad at my parents. The school was too, and gave its own awards. But there was one change-everyone did get a certificate-a practice that hadn’t been followed previously-and their contribution from lighting to acting was noted on it. In every subsequent year too this practice was followed. Now that I am older and hopefully wiser, I think my parents did have a point. Blogs aren’t team efforts but neither are they entries for the Pulitzer. They are, among other things, a way of communicating with each other, sharing ideas and experiences and learning. A lot of us are friends online now as a result of blogging-offline some of us do tend to acknowledge those who make a difference to our lives. So a little bit of online nepotism, recognising ordinary people more than once is OK I think. End of aside.
Am going to use the awards not to award my favourites, who know who they are already, but to link to some other blogs that people might not have come across and might find interesting. If you know of an unknown, unawarded blog that needs highlighting, please leave a link in the comments and I will put it in the post.
Dipali gave me this one months ago. Thank you Dipali, I was very touched.
“Some bloggers give us Hope. They are bloggers who care, for ALL THE CITIZENS of this World. These bloggers can see above the generalizations of Caste, Community, Religion, Language, Region, Race and National boundaries. They are the hope of our UNITY IN DIVERSITY.”
Links:
Here are some blogs that are interesting to read on matters of peace (and therefore controversial matters of conflict):
This blog is written by Dr. Binayak Sen’s brother. As a lot of people already know, Sen was detained for two years, accused of supporting Naxals. He has recently been released on bail. Sen himself has condemned violence and all those who know him speak of him as a gentle and compassionate doctor who gave up the prospect of a glittering career after winning gold medals at CMC to tend to the poorest of the poor in remote parts of the country.
The South Asian Idea explores ideas about South Asia, on peace, violence, identity, education and many other issues. You can even ask a question to start a discussion. A treasure trove.
Raza Rumi is a Pakistani Sufi blogger already familiar to many, who finds and promotes peace through his spirituality. He writes on a range of interesting things.
Finally, here is the blog of a google group I am a part of. This is a shameless plug for our group. The blog hasn’t been updated in a while but hopefully that will change.
The lovely blogger award is also from Dipali. I think she’s absolutely lovely too. Her comments as well her posts convey the “intangible warmth” this blog is about. I’m afraid I will be nepotisitc if I award this, so I will simply say thank you, and ask for nominations for the award so we all have some new blogs to read!
“for the intangible something that makes your posts sound so warm.”
Finally, the sisterhood award from Sujatha. Was really honoured to get this from her. She was one of the first bloggers I read and really admired, for her zen and calm and balanced approach to life. She’s also been an email friend, and though we’ve never met, she has been a great source of support, warmth, friendship and sisterhood:
The rules of the award are:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 5 blogs which show great ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE.
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link this post to the person from whom you received your award.
Again, I would be re-awarding blogs if I did this, re-nominating people on Sujatha’s own list-so will just end by saying thank you. If anyone has any recommendations of blogs “that show great attitude and gratitude” please do share them!
I hope we can rectify the not meeting part soon, Ra. Thanks for the links to the other blogs, especially the first one.
Yes, that should be rectified asap!
Great to read a blog that gives these awards their due as well as puts them to better use. I think you’ve changed my attitude to them too.
Am glad someone likes the idea.
Congratulations!You deserve every bit of the awards:)
Thanks-now am blushing
Well and truly deserved !!
Many thanks. This was a nice surprise.
You have a very interesting blog-site.
Good to have met you in the interesting blogosphere
cheers
Raza