#BergerXP IndiBlogger Meet In Kolkata

I have been blogging for few years and during that time, IndiBlogger meet never happened in my hometown, Calcutta or Kolkata, as it is known now. So when I got the mail from IndiTeam that a blogger meet is being planned here, I have decided that I must attend this. I was so happy when I got a call from Indiblogger team for the confirmation of my participation on the early morning of the event. But I was little worried that day because my uncle, father of Sumit Surai was admitted to hospital. Somehow both of us managed to be there and became a part of the event. I called up few of my fellow bloggers and planned to meet them in front of the venue, which was The Oberoi Grand Hotel.

Maybe? for others The Oberoi Grand Hotel is a merely 5 Star hotel but for me, it is a pride heritage of my city. Some historical characters and historical events are closely associated with Grand Hotel, now called The Oberoi Grand Hotel. I never been there before this grand event. Mrs. Annie Monk started this Grand Hotel as a boarding house and later on expanded this. Now the address of the hotel is 15, Jawaharlal Nehru Road but earlier it was started at 13Chowringhee Road (Chowringhee was old name of Jawaharlal Nehru Road) and it was a private residence of  Colonel Grand, it named after him. Later on, 14, 15 and 17 Chowringhee Road was included but 16 Chowringhee Road was a theater owned by Arathoon Stephen, a famous Armenian. When the theater was burned down he sold out to Mrs. Annie Monk. After that, Grand Hotel was developed hugely into a modern hotel. There are a lot more history associated with this heritage building and I was so eager to witness the same. Most Importantly Berger also has very rich history behind the formation of the company. It was started in 1770 by Louis Steigenberger, although Indian Berger started functioning in early 20th Century in Calcutta (Now Kolkata). I relate the entire event from the point of view of one history embracing another history. Sorry, no more history class.

On the day of the meet (12th September 2015), Sumit and I met Rangan da outside the venue. I was little unhappy after knowing from Subhadip Mukherjee, he told me that he is not sure whether he will join us or not. Actually his daughter, my sweet angel was suffering and admitted to hospital. But somehow he managed and joined us later. When we entered, there were already few bloggers. Among the known faces was Sukanta Pal. After registration we posed for some photos and those were later printed and given to us. After the registration, we entered the event hall and were greeted by the IndiTeam.

The event was in Ballroom of Grand Hotel, the moment I entered the room it was a wow moment for me, I can’t express the feelings in words. We reached there at least 15 minutes prior to the event and I have already started interacting with others bloggers before it actually gets started. Sitting at a round-table with fellow bloggers, It was similar feelings like sitting and chatting in most popular place of Kolkata that is Calcutta Coffee House. At first, Introduction session was started, as a whole few people got the scope of sharing blogging experience with others. All of sudden I got a chance to speak about my blog, everybody in the Ballroom started staring at me. Honestly speaking I was so nervous like anything, everybody saw my smiling face but if someone could notice my legs it was shivering like anything. By the way at the end of my dangerous introduction session, Sumit told me that I spoke good hahahhaha.

After the intro session, they played videos on Berger paints, it was on hassle free Berger Express Painting with so much of nitty gritty . I must say Anoop from Indiblogger, conducted the entire show so well. His “ICH WILL” was a hit and without knowing the meaning of it, I have started screaming “ICH WILL”. During video session, I became little serious because I know When do I will share the same with my wife at home, it will take a new dimension. By the way, the same thing happened with me on the next day, what I thought about during watching the Berger Express Painting. My wife started searching colour shade from the BergerXP books which were in the goody bag and finalized four colour shades for my home. Everything has a cost, So Indiblogger Meet also has a cost, I have committed to my wife that soon I will paint my house from BergerXP colour range. I am happy with the decision but my wallet is not at all happy with me.

First Session ended up here and served food with tea. I must thank the chef of Grand Hotel, who specially prepared the Chicken Malai Kebabs for us…..It was so yummy. I was so involved in eating, forgot to take snaps of the served food. During this break, I talked with each and every member from Indiblogger team for the first time.

Again we went back to the Ball Room and a task have to perform with a group, so accordingly we made a team with eight fellow bloggers and named it “Octopus”. The task was to the cleaning of a wooden board with sand papers and for that, they provided us with gloves, caps and masks. Octopus performed very well and I named the task “Eso Ghoshi” (Come and Rub). It was not at all a dusty experience, It was a fumiest moment, it was a team work with fellow bloggers for me. This event makes me more close to the team members. Thank you BergerXP and Big thanks to Indiblogger.

After this, I don’t know what happened to Subhadip, he becomes crazy and somehow I infected with it and afterward our whole team started doing all craziest, funniest stuff. Maybe his daughter was recovering speedily that made Subhadip in a jubilant mood. Actually, Berger and Indiblogger Team made us so happy with the grand evening.

The next task did a painting which must carry a social message and have to explain about the painting after that. Nivedita, Arunima, and Antara took the initiative to made our group a champion. All of them painted so well but we didn’t win. A group called “Silent Scream” was the winner and they painted so well, Congrats “Silent Scream”.

There was prizes for best tweet of the day, the photo of the day and others prizes too. All of sudden I heard my name have been announced for the “Photo Of The Day” and I got Nikon Coolpix S2900 camera. Thanks, BergerXP and Indiblogger team for the beautiful gift. A special thanks to Subhadip.

It was a grand evening and ended up with delicious grand dinner. This was the first bloggers meet I have participated and It was for me a lifetime experience. BIG BIG Thanks to BergerXP for the colorful evening and entire Indiblogger Team.

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