6th blog anniversary

6 Years! 6th blog anniversary!Feels long and fabulous. Not because blogging is a chore but a really fun hobby for me. I wrote when no one read me. I write now when some people drop by. Rachna says is my alter ago. This creation of mine has given me so much that it is even impossible to list down. But most of all, she has given me some amazing friends. People who started out as being folks who came to my blog and commented like many others but those who have moved beyond the blogs and have become a part of my life. Some of them don’t blog anymore, some others intermittently and many don’t even comment any more here. But the friendship and warmth we share is real and extraordinary.

So today on her 6th anniversary is also time to express my gratitude to each one of them for being a part of my life:

Zephyr: I met her a few years back, a blogger whose simple writing, wisdom and sense of humor appealed to me right away. I connected with her both on and off the blog. One of my dearest friends – she is also a philosopher, guide, a maternal figure and a critic. I am fortunate to have her love me and my family the way she does!

Kavita Saharia: A blogger with unbelievable warmth and love, we have grown close in the past couple of years when she has been off active blogging. She and I swap kiddie stories and fun tales. Yep, we love our long phone calls. We have a connect and I haven’t even met her yet.

Subhorup Dasgupta: A fine writer but an even better human being, Subho, is a person I look up to! Always warm, welcoming and supportive with a kind word, he is the kind of friend everyone must have in their life. I learn from his writing and have learned from the feedback he has offered me. His family is now family friends for us.

Rickie Khosla: A brilliant writer and a person with a crazy sense of humor, Rickie is a buddy. He is a sounding board, someone I can rely on for accurate feedback. Warm, intelligent and reliable, meeting him in person was like meeting an old college friend. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend!

Ruchira Shukla: A girl I have known for some time now. I met her first through Indiblogeshwaris. She is polite and well-mannered and takes her own time to open up. Warm and caring, she is a gentle soul, and exactly how she is in her online interactions – genuine. Meeting her for the first time was like carrying forward a previous conversation. In every way, a friend I cherish having in my life.

Vinita Bahl: I started on the wrong foot with her but luckily time rectified that. Not only is she a talented writer, she has the most awesome sense of humor and wit. What she neatly hides is an extremely caring and loving nature. She loves you with her all. She will be on phone the moment she judges a minor change in your mood, she is that clued in. She also has the same high moral standards and ethics that I connect with. You are special, Vini!

Janaki Nagaraj: She is a gentle, beautiful lady who will floor you with her niceness. I have met her umpteen times and have always got love, support and affection from her. She is a great person to know, a sort of an anchor that one will feel blessed to have in their life.

Alka Gurha: Sweet, simple, down to earth and a cracking writer, Alka and I share a lot in common. She is someone who is calm and quiet but is full of warmth and concern for those she likes. It was a pleasure meeting her recently after being in touch with her for years.

Purba Ray: As a blogger, Purba is someone I have always admired. Supremely talented, extremely hardworking and completely down to earth, she is someone I am yet to meet but share a very affectionate friendship with. Extremely funny, she can brighten your day. Reading her twitter updates never fail to bring a smile on my face. She is one person the newbies and the oldies alike in blogging can learn much from. She takes feedback very seriously and gives it generously and truly. I completely adore her!

Prudhvi Latha: One of my most ardent readers, Latha is fun loving and naughty. Mother to two kids, she has always been warm, kind and loving to me. We bond over routine chats, intense personal tales and stray phone calls. I look forward to meeting her soon.

I am also very fond of Dagny Sol, Vinita Kherdekar, Colleena and Sharmila Kulkarni; they have been nothing but warm and loving to me.

Apart from these exceptional friends, I would like to thank my oldest readers: Destiny’s Child, BKChowlaji, Shilpa Garg, KP Parthasarthi Sir, Bikram Mann, Bhagyashree Bharat, Rahul Bhatia, Ramesh Iyengar and others. A big hug to all my wonderful Guest Posters who have shared their best work on my blog! A special thanks to my blogger friends in Bangalore – Vidya, Indrani, Nabanita, Suresh, Karthik, Asha, Seeta, Anamika, Farida and Sid for the kinship, the lovely ladies in Indiblogeshwaris and Women Bloggers’ Network of India, my fabulous mommy blogger friends Roshni, Jas, Swapna, Pratibha, Poornima, Priya, Poonam and so many others who have shared themselves openly and warmly.

Thanks also to Indiblogger that has given me a large network of bloggers to interact with, some fantastic meets, prizes and awards and to the special folks behind Indiblogger.

Finally, a huge thank you to all those who read me whether you leave your imprint on my blog or not! She is very grateful to you!

Of course, the people who have always taken pride and encouraged me in this endeavor – my husband, my sons, my siblings, my father and my dearest friends (you know who you are).

Here’s to the 6th blog anniversary!

Now before you go, let me know how you chanced upon my blog for the first time? (An idea inspired from Blogwati G’!)

Pic: Freedigitalphotos.net

97 Thoughts on “Here’s to the 6th blog anniversary and fabulous friends!

  1. Congratulations, Rachna! It is great to stay blogging for such a long time and we never get bored of reading you! Keep writing!

  2. Wow, Rachna! 6 years is super awesome. And that is how a veteran blogger sounds. Grateful, humble, simple and honest, yes.

    Oh, I remember that wrong foot, lol. But opinions don’t make a person, nor inboxing does relationships. I am glad we could see beyond ourselves back then. Else imagine what we would have missed on.

    I remember you as one of my early readers. Then IndiBlogeshwaris happened. Then a whole lot did. 😀

    I am happy to call you a friend and happier that you moved out of the virtual list when we met. Yes, our middle class values are what bind us and I am happy to be stuck with you.

    Much love, laughter and warmth on your 6th, girl. There is more to come. Let the good times roll. <3

    • Veteran blogger — that makes me feel like a dadima :). I am also glad that despite our strong opinions we were willing to see otherwise when the situations thus warranted. Thank you for all the lovely times and for the warm words. <3

  3. For someone who jabbers constantly on Twitter I am annoyingly tongue-tied when it comes to expressing my feelings for friends I love and admire.
    You are principled, never afraid to voice your opinions and so warm and caring. You are someone I can always rely on and say with pride – I have earned her affection.

    Your blog is an extension of who you are. I have never gone back disappointed and I’m always in awe of your impeccable vocabulary and grammar.

  4. Hugs for completing 6 years Rachna! and here’s to many more! 🙂 I came across your blog through the comments I saw from you on some blogs, I was rather curious when I saw the respect most bloggers gave when replying to you and voila.. i landed on your blog 🙂
    I know we have met just once, but there are very few people with whom I have instantly connected as if I have known them for all my life. I am usually quiet and take my time to loosen up (even longer to open up) but that day at The Beire Club I was quite relaxed with you 🙂
    Like Purba says, when you say something good on what I write, I feel proud that I have earned a good word from you.

    • Thanks, Seeta and hugs back! Wow, interesting! I guess that is the way we land at different blogs, don’t we via comments on other blogs? I loved meeting you too at that meet. We hit it off instantly and chatted nine to a dozen. Look forward to meeting you again soon. I feel truly humbled when you say all that you say. I just hope I can live up to your expectations even in the future. Much love!

  5. That was such a pleasant surprise 🙂 Thank you so much! I always enjoyed reading your straight from the heart posts. Keep living your passion in many more years to come. And how I chanced upon your blog? that’s rather funny to explain. When I started blogging, I did not even know that people write blogs. I only knew cook blogs. So, I was doing some research online for top Indian blogs or something like that. Then I chanced upon your blog. I still remember the first blog I read was kids, entertainment park, risk factor something like that 🙂

    • Oh yes, I remember that post. It was one penned in angst after some kids had drowned in the swimming pool of an entertainment park in Bangalore. I remember I did not have your blog URL initially and could not read you :). It is no surprise that you’ve always been special to me :). Thanks for all your love and warmth always!

  6. Afshan on July 16, 2014 at 8:58 am said:

    Congos !
    such a fantastic way of saying thanks to all, May ur blog celebrate silver and golden jubilees 🙂
    Much love

  7. Congratulations Rachna…..lots of hugs and warm wishes. Wish you many many more years of success ♡ ♡

  8. Rahul on July 16, 2014 at 9:12 am said:

    May your blog readership continue to grow by leaps and bounds and it has been a delight to read posts on your blog! Also, a big thanks for having given me an opportunity to contribute a guest post on your blog.Happy Anniversary , Rachna!

    • Thanks so much, Rahul! It was a pleasure having you post on my blog, and it is always a delight seeing you here. Thanks for all the warm words.

  9. janu on July 16, 2014 at 9:17 am said:

    Blogging has given me a lot…if it wasn’t for that, I was missing a lot in life and this I realized only after I started blogging. Bangalore being my fav place, you were the first blogger I connected with in Bangalore and love the fact that you make time to come and meet me every time.
    Thanks for the mention and all I can say is I am truly honored. You have come a long way and have made a mark for yourself.
    May this journey continue and wish you all the best. Love you.

    • Yes, blogging has widened the horizons for so many of us, honed our creative skills, and given us friends. You were the first one who connected me with Indimeets. You also connected me with Anamika who is among one of my closest friends. I guess you just do it selflessly without realizing how many people you bless along the way. Thank you for all the warmth and support! Love you too!

  10. Alok Vats on July 16, 2014 at 9:21 am said:

    Many congratulations Rachna for the 6th anniversary of your blog…

  11. Congratulations, Rachna for 6 years! That’s very impressive! Wishing you many more of such wonderful years of writing, blogging, sharing and connecting 🙂 I am happy to have found your blog.

  12. Happy Happy Blog Anniversary!! 🙂
    Wishing you many many more years of writing 🙂

  13. What a remarkable feat! Congratulations on your Golden Jubilee, for that is exactly what 6 years must mean in the young world of blogging! Very happy for you!
    And even gladder that you counted me as someone you wanted to share your happiness with. I shall spare you the virtual hearts and kisses here….those I will send those to you separately! 😀

  14. Given the fact that most blogs disappear within months of their creation, completing six years is a stupendous achievement. Congrats, well deserved.
    Why, only yesterday I was thinking that our meeting was very short. Wish we could spend more time together. Hopefully, we will.
    It is a pleasure to visit your blog. While your prose is easy and flawless, your words are honest. That remains the highlight for me. I hope Rachna continues to Say something to us for many many more years. Love.

    • Alka, thanks a lot! Your words always measured mean so much to me. I also wish that we could have spent more time together. I am sure it will happen sometime in the future. <3

  15. Congrats Rachna…. I don’t remember when I first read you but I do remember when I saw you for the first time… It was in the Nokia Indimeet…. You have this aura around you ..full of warmth that makes everyone that meets you comfortable…I’m so glad to have got to know you and wish you many more years of blogging … Happy Blog-a-versary!

    • Naba, you are such a fantastic girl. Yes, I too remember seeing this gorgeous girl in a black dress in that meet. Of course, we got no opportunity to speak to any blogger but you I knew. I am glad that we have met and gotten to know each other. I wish you loads of luck and love. Thanks for all your warmth, always! <3

  16. Congrats Rachna ! SIX years ! it’s impressive…I’m new in blogosphere ( my blog will complete it’s first anniversary on August 14′ ) so somehow I never visited your blog before … expect one more frequent visitor form now… 🙂 best wishes…

  17. Congratulations Rachna !
    You are one of the finest bloggers I know, not only in terms of writing and content but also in the very ethical and genuine manner that you conduct yourself in the virtual world.
    In spite of being a blogger of such caliber, you have so often taken out time to share your knowledge about blogs and blogging with your friends and even with people you hardly know. You have stood up against plagiarism and fought battles even when those battles were not your own. This is a mark of a truly ethical and genuine person.
    Thank you for thinking of me on your special day and for all your lovely words. Needless to say, the feeling is very very mutual!

  18. Happy Birthday, Rachna Says! Thank you to the author for all the inspiration, moments of stopping and wondering and for being such a balancing influence.

  19. Congrats rachna !! wishing you more wonders in blogging and may you meet new good friends while keeping up with the old ones 🙂

  20. 6 Years! That’s simply a cool milestone achievement, Rachna! Congratulations and wishing you many more glorious time in our blogging world! Thank you for the mention and am glad that our paths crossed in this virtual world, now, looking forward to meet you in our real world too! Cheers 🙂

  21. many Congratautlations Rachna, for such a long innings.
    I remember during the initial days of blogging I had chanced upon your blog, liked what I say and had commented and you had instantly reciprocated. I had liked that a lot 🙂
    And though now i do not read much and comment lesser, I try to comment when one of the posts touches a chord.
    Thanks for the mention.
    And the very best for the coming years.

    • Thanks, Bhagya! That first encounter was interesting to know. You and I have been connected for long, and I’ve always enjoyed your short stories. I am happy that our association continues even after so many years.

  22. Lots of love and many congratulations Rachna. A remarkable feat and all along I was looking for where is my name 🙂

  23. And how I chanced upon your blog, you already know 🙂

  24. That indeed was a special post, Rachna. Congrats on the 6th. It is a great achievement considering you have kept up not only the frequency but also maintained the quality of writing in post after post. I am so blessed to have found a friend like you, in whom one gets what one sees/reads 🙂 I don’t remember how I chanced upon your blog, but I am glad that I had 🙂 Hugs, to you dear.

  25. My heartiest wishes to be a blog veteran….though I am commenting and visiting for the first time….May God shower many more accomplishments like this…

  26. Oh my God..six years of blogging..how cool is that..congrats on the 6 years 🙂 and wishing you many many many more years of blogging and giving us fodder for thought

    I stumbled upon your blog from Zephyr’s blog…you had commented on her post and I liked the way you commented 🙂

  27. 6 yearsssssss .. WOWOWOW.. Congratulations on that Rachna.. PARTY timeeeeeeeee .. excellent ..

    It has been that long since I have known you , wow time flies surely.. I did not realise its been that many years .. here’s wishing many many more yearsssssssssssssssssss to come ..

    How I came over to your blog, I have no idea to tell the truth .. maybe you remember .. do you 🙂 and I get mentioned too yipeeeeeeeeeeee Thank you for remembering me in that long list of people you know ..

    Congrats once again and take care

    • Yes, it has been a long time since we know each other. Time does fly :). I had to mention you, Bikram. You are one among the many who stand up for what they believe in. A refreshing change in the virtual world. You know which incident I am talking about. Glad to have you come back to blogging with you smiling presence! Thanks a lot for your good wishes always!

  28. Happy 6th!! Wishes for plenty more!!

    Cheers!!

  29. Rachna,you have my best wishes.
    I was very happy to see my name mentioned in your blog.I am honoured.
    I have always maintained that the most important aspect is the content and you have maintained a high standard of content.
    Look forward to reading more from Rachna.

  30. Congratulations Rachna on your special day. It is no mean achievement to complete six valuable years in blogging. You write in such a unique way, that once a person reads you, she can never move away. Wish you many many more years of great blogging!

  31. Congrats Rachna on this amazing achievement ! Lot of people start a blog but not all can keep it so well nourished. Best wishes for a number of more successful years of blogging , winning friends and awards on the side, of course 🙂

  32. Bhavana Rao on July 16, 2014 at 10:28 pm said:

    Congrats Rachna 🙂 Here’s wishing you many more successful years of blogging.

  33. Congrats on 6 years, Rachna. I need to check which post of yours I first commented on to remember how I found your blog. I remember at some point in my blogging I realized, one of the tenets of being in blog-o-sphere was to be regularly read some blogs – so I identified some popular blogs to follows – and yours happened to be one – I think I might have picked you based on comments in the blog of someone else I might have been reading at that time. Usually seeing comments and responses you get a sense of who is popular.

    • Aha, so you picked my blog because you felt that I was popular :). Interesting! Any which way, I am happy to have had you as a reader for so many years. Thanks a lot!

  34. Congratulations on the 6th anniversary, Rachna! Best wishes for many more!!
    I don’t remember how I first visited your blog. I enjoy reading your thought-provoking posts and sometimes commenting.

  35. 6 years, it’s a huge things. And congrats for your blog 6th anniversary.

  36. congratulations 🙂 … Here’s wishing to more blogging from you …

  37. Hey Rachna congratulations for keeping this amazing blog with a difference. I enjoy reading ur posts that are sheer delight and aesthetic in appeal. Many of the blogs u mentioned are super awesome and their owners are people I admire a lot and from whom one can learn.
    Cheerz and wayy to go:)

  38. Congratulations.
    Keep writing.

  39. Congrats Rachna great going! Good wishes for more and more of blogging!
    Cheers 🙂

  40. Where is my comment? I came here to see the reply and I cannot find it.
    6 years!!!!!!!!!!!! You are awesome! Congratulations indeed!
    Having done a guest post in your awesome space I feel good ..sooo goood!
    Keep writing!!

    • Sorry, did we lose your comment :/. I am getting so much spam these days that it is impossible for me to weed through that folder. Sigh! Thanks a lot, girl! And thank you for that lovely post!

  41. Wow. 6 Years is a pretty long run. Congrats for that 🙂
    Here is to many more years of successful blogging ! 🙂

  42. Congrats Rachna! 6 years is so special 🙂
    Keep rocking & blogging 🙂
    Best wishes 🙂

  43. A very warm congratulations to you, Rachna!! I’m glad you had a wonderful virtual celebration with all your friends! Thanks so much for the mention; I truly value our friendship a lot!!

  44. I think, I have told you earlier that I love your blog. There are very few people you make reading so easy. I connect with your thoughts and there is a flow in your writing that once started, it’s hard not to finish. Many congratulations on the milestone. 🙂

    BTW, why is knife and fork your favicon?

    • Thank you, Saru! You are among the sweetest, nicest person in the blogsphere. I feel honoured that you read me regularly. Really, your words are so motivating. Thank you so much!

  45. Commenting again!

    Congrats on the six years, Rachna! Huge achievement that. Thanks for the double mention – once along with Guest posters and once directly 🙂

    I came to your blog from a comment you left on mine – as, indeed, has been the case with almost all the blogs I read. I do not stay a reader, necessarily, in all the blogs 🙂

    • Yes, I think that is the way I have found most of the blogs that I read :). Thanks for the wishes and for recommenting when my blog gobbled up your comment :).

  46. I have been here 7 years, and I cannot believe I just connected with you 🙂 Happy Anniversary and hope we have many more!

  47. Hello there! 🙂

    Congrats on the anniversary and wish you very many more 🙂

    I remember seeing your comment on someone’s blog, which happened to be more interesting that the original post (I’m really not sure which blog it is though!) ;-), So that’s how I stepped into the world of Rachna Says

    I’ve admired the way you write, the themes that you choose and the way you organize your thoughts and present them in such a wonderful flow. The most important thing is, you write about things which I can relate to, so I enjoy reading them all the more 🙂

    I loved the way you listed the friends you’ve made over these blogging years. Thats the beauty of it right. We admire someone’s writing, and even without even meeting them, we sometimes get along wonderfully well and share a beautiful friendship. I’m lucky to have a few friends that way, though I would love to meet more people here, with the common passion for writing 🙂

    Here’s to very many years of blogging.

    Good luck and Keep Rocking 🙂

    • Hi Ashwini, Reading your comment this morning completely warmed my heart. The fact that you found my comment more interesting than the post gives me the kicks :-). It has been a joy interacting with bloggers. We have been connected for quite some time, haven’t we? It has been nice knowing you. And I feel similarly about your blog. I can relate to what you write about. The most awesome thing for me was when I watched your TED lecture! Hope we can continue to stay connected through blogging. Thanks for all the warm words!

  48. Rachna! Congrats…your blog has truly come a long way! I always enjoy your posts and I couldn’t help beaming when I saw my name first, on your list of oldest readers! 🙂
    I might not be as active as I was earlier but know that I always look forward to your posts and make it a point of reading them. Here’s to you and your lovely blog.

    Let’s hope we meet someday. 🙂

    • You have always been so warm to me. I look forward to every visit of yours. And then I got to know the real reason for you being away! I was ecstatic with joy for you. I knew someday you would read this post. I would love to meet you as well. Let’s see when that happens! Thanks a lot always, DC!

  49. Pleasure is mine! 🙂

Do not leave without commenting. I love a good conversation :).

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