Chowk: Nostalgia Galore

I had joined Chowk in October 2004. The reason was obvious I wanted to write. Since beginning I was more into ilogs as compare to the (in)famous Unplugged. I made a couple of entries and then left. I never came back again neither for writing nor for reading until one day in 2007. By that time I had almost forgotten that I too could write. My memory fails me when I try to recall the experience of writing ilogs on the non-interactive, non-beta Chowk in the fall of 2004. Like how did I take Chowk back then? I left soon because I must have grown bored of it.

The non-beta Chowk used to have those pages:



I had made ‘university ave’ my favorite.

In early 2007 I returned and then there was no looking back (for at least 2 years). I used to write ilogs almost every day about all those things that had affected me emotionally. The experience was good because it helped me explore different facets of my writing. In August 2007 the beta version of Chowk unveiled. It was fun and trendy. The option of ‘interact’ on ilog was enabled. And optimistic_aadi was the first person to interact on my ilog. Chowk changed again in April, 2008 to its present look and I must say I dislike it too much. If you are using Firefox you can see many black question mark type signs in old articles. If you use some other browser you might notice small boxes. Chowk bugs… as we call them! Besides the front page looks cluttered and could definitely have a much better design. I personally liked two separate columns that the August 2007 – April 2008 Chowk used to have. Left one for the non-fiction and right one for the fiction.

Back in those days the first thing I used to do was to get the daily dose of ilogs before starting my day. It was almost a ritual, an addiction. Some times when I miss old days, I miss the old Chowk, the old iloggers and their witty, serious, depressive, optimistic and crazy ilogs.

My must-read list included these:

augustine, diarox, ansa, antamazol, azure, fatyma, sahara, faiqah, kiranny, rakaposh etc.to name a few.

Amid all that I miss ayesha5 too. The politically incorrect and maverick writer.

When I think of Chowk – I think of jasmine, pure and refreshing; the fragrance that tickles olfactory senses and sets you on the journey that have surprises hidden on every corner. I truly miss the old Chowk; yes, the non-beta, ad-free Chowk with verdana font... :-)