Less than a year ago, when I was coaxed rather forced to join Twitter by a friend on the lookout for an additional follower, little did I know I will get addicted to the platform to this extent. Twitter has brought about an interesting change in the way I spend my time online. My source of breaking news, a personal touch point to reach out to celebs (not SRK, Shashi Tharoor is more my kind of Twitter celeb), instant help online on any subject under the sun (from dance number suggestions to survey responses, you get it all on Twitter), participating in interesting conversations, tracking important movements in media and corporate world - Twitter has assimilated itself seamlessly well into my lifestyle. (Oops did I miss mentioning contests & quizzes). No doubt, that this medium has become an addiction and there is a twitching in the mind if I am away from it long! Recent point in case being my outstation vacation, could not stop myself from updating Twitter via phone.
For such a Twitter addict, it was a great pleasure to be associated with the #DelTwestival – The Delhi chapter of the Twestival held on March 25, 2010 @ Café Morrison, South Ex. Twestival was held across more than 175 cities simultaneously around the world wherein thousands of people around the globe leveraged the power of Web 2.0 for social good. The global event is a worldwide fundraising initiative that uses social media, particularly Twitter, to focus participants’ talent and resources to benefit one cause for one day. All proceeds generated from the 2010 Twestival will support education and will be donated to Concern Worldwide, a non-governmental, international, humanitarian organization that since 1968 has dedicated itself to reducing suffering and eliminating poverty.
Post innumerable online interactions, befriending a lot of Tweeples and dodging various Tweetups, finally I was very excited to learn that I could actively participate in the Delhi chapter and handle the PR for the same. It was fun to witness a scenario where people online known to each other were scouting for recognition via their Twitter handles. Funny how complex identities have become in the web 2.0 era. Overheard throughout the evening “Hi I’m @xyz and I follow you. Great to meet you offline.” Fervently live-tweeting via phones, the enthusiastic bunch of Tweeple straight from office (mostly) showed that it isn’t only the Backstreet Boys that can pull crowds in Delhi. An evening dedicated to a noble cause witnessed Twitter users from various walks of life assemble together amidst myriad conversations, peppy music & of course Tweeting.
After exchanging pleasantries aka Twitter handle hellos, the session kickstarted with a discussion on education. As is the case with Twitter, conversations veered in all kinds of directions and perspectives. Tweeple jumped in with suggestions and anecdotes when a Std 12th student present asked how he could use Twitter in his free time. With endless chatter, hearty laughter, enjoyable music by the talented band of Five8 and most importantly exchange of handles, the evening came to an end. Twitter may have a character limit of 140 but the Twestival did not have any time or people limit. Tweeple were seen enjoying the one-of-its kind meet way beyond the stipulated time of the event.
With the event raising more than 1000 US $ for a noble cause of education along with the topping of being a meeting ground for several online Twitter handles in real life, the second Delhi Twestival was quite a hit. Looking forward to the next one already.
PS: Those who find the language used weird aka excess use of @ # and handles, all I can say is this is the Twitter effect. Interested in exploring a new world of networking get on to Twitter asap & join in the spirit of Tweet, Meet & Give.
