All,

The success of the forthcoming blogathon is entirely on your shoulders (read
key boards). Let me explain how.

The structure would be like this:

A week long event.

Each day will start with One broad topic ---> spread across 3 distinct
debatable views (Discussion seeds)

*1 week *= *6 Topics  = 18 seeds*

As we release the seeds the *Junta, *which includes, bloggers, blog readers,
commentators and thinkers are expected to read and respond to these seeds. A
debate / discussion is what is reasonably expected to shape up during the
course of the day. The seeds would be released on www.blogathon.in in one
single page divided in 3 parallel columns with an ability to comment
thereon. If you have a few lines to say in response to what have been
released, you can do that in the comments section. If you would rather write
a long details post, you can do that on your personal blog or whatever other
space you maintain on the web, just don't forget to tag  it properly so we
can track your views and aggregate it on the blogathon blog. (Tags to be
released shortly)

You can even send in your views / responses via email (address to be
announced shortly)
While aggregating all the posts written in response to the topic seeds,
released on blogathon.in , we'd give you proper credits, hopefully link to
your blog (the technicalities required for this is being sorted out)

www.citizenmatters.in have also offered to give prize(s) for the best
response on a given topic. (We are yet to figure how many prizes to be
given, who to be the judges and what would be the nature of the prize)

*Currently recruiting - Topic leaders and other think tanks* :-)

Our most important task right now is to identify 6 Topic leaders who would
further Identify 3 writers to write the Discussion Seeds. The discussion
seeds have to be well written posts which are properly researched upon,
should be crisp, to the point, should be supported by facts and figures
wherever required. We are currently discussing the topics in the blogathon
admin group. Feel free to join the admin group to suggest more topics, names
of writers you know who can handle the topics, to volunteer for a particular
topic or for any other kind of suggestion.

Just one rule, once you have joined the group please be active (read each
thread and respond). Alternatively, you can also throw in any suggestion /
bouquets / brickbats on this mailing list, anything is appreciated,
honestly. :-)

Blogathon Admin Group -
http://groups.google.com/group/bangalore-blogathon-planners

*Following are some topic examples (Just example nothing is final)*

*I. Broad topic - *Education:
* Debate: Sex Education at school – Against our culture?*

   - Absolutely. To talk / think / hear about sex before marriage is
   completely against Indian culture.
   - It cannot ruin the culture because Sex education is not the same as
   talking about sex or having sex.
   - Sexuality have always been a part of our culture. So this argument
   is vague.

The topic need NOT necessarily be a debate with answers only in Yes, No or
May Be form.  It could also be one addressing a day to day problem we face
and you could respond to it in the form of *'ways to curb the problem'* For
eg.

*II. Broad Topic: Traffic insfrastructure**.
*

   - Make better roads.
   - Ban the Nano, reduce cars.
   - Improve public transport

*III. Did you ask what can you do for your country?*

   - Yes I did, and I decided to fight corruption *[This topic can be
   very interactive with everybody punching in their ways to fight corruption.
   We can invite all sort of ideas no matter how bizarre or funny it might be]
   *
   - Yes I did but I figured there is just nothing that I can do, the
   country is rotten beyond recognition, system is junked to death, it's
   impossible for an individual to make any difference at all, I have no idea
   what will happen to this nation.
   - No I didn't ask because I don't care, the country doesn't give a
   damn about us so I'll rather leave for a first world country at the first
   given chance. *[I know somebody who can write a great provocative
   piece on this]*

*And last but not the least spread the word about Bangalore Blogathon*
--
:-)

Sanjukta
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