The gathering in Lodhi Gardens was really the result of the efforts and the initiative taken by Neerja. She organised it very well, so full marks to her. It was really not easy to have such a meeting with the guys who all were new and first timers. But she not only made contact with everyone via e-mails and on her cell but also was very nice and friendly to us. So every credit goes to her. I just want to say that I didn't mean to hurt anybody and perhaps my words were taken otherwise. May be a wrong seletion of some word. But I only wanted to give and take some suggestions. Let me apologize if something has hurted. I will always support such type of gathering and having some new ideas, experience and useful directions from others. Neerja I support your endaevours and sincere efforts.

I provide FULL kudoz points to neeraja as she initiated a good get-together. Being experienced on proz??, I have more than 7-8 yrs of experience, however was not interested in going into the details as it was a picnic. I still gave some minute details. Moreover, it was a picnic instead of a formal meeting as supposed by any other person. Even I supposed so initially, however, understood the situations after reaching there and changed my mind according to the needs as we have to do w.r.t. any job or work or situation in our lives. :)) We discussed the details in short as it was very short duration to discuss about any important stuff however we did in brief. We could have created powerpoint presentation or word presentation and could have arranged the same in an enclosed environment, provided it's a formal meeting. I still expect some initiative from reputed agencies for the same as it'd require a specific environment, arrangement of some eatables and entertainment as well. Isn't this that we expect from every formal meeting? But friends, this picnic was organised by one of our translator friend and I feel, she did it simply wonderfully! And if we want to learn about translation business in such a small gettogether, then I think that even a year would be short duration to learn about the online business and translation theories and practices. Isn't it so? I have already devoted one year of my academic years and have spent 7-8 years to learn about translation business. If supported well, I could have created an agency as I had big database of agencies and outsourcers, however I was short of support from anyone and single-handedly, it was not possible for me to run a business, so, I stuck being a translator. If you want to discuss anything, email me, I would provide best possible answer to you! Enjoy life as it comes and enjoy your works! That's what my philosophy is! And I feel it's good enough. By saying this, I am not opposing anyone, I am simply supporting Neeraja's endeavour. Good work ma'm!

Dear Swati,

I don't think anyone was "brooding," but, yes, it is a good idea to note down points for discussion.

Regards,
Niraja

It would be better if for the next powwow, we note down beforehand our points of discussion. Then it would be easier for us to start discussions right away instead of brooding over what to discuss.

Dear Rajesh,

Please look up the meaning of "sincerity" in the dictionary.

Regards,
Niraja

1. This powwow was announced at the end of November 2007. I think it was very clear from the beginning that it was going to be a picnic. A picnic, as everyone knows, is an informal get-together and usually does not have an agenda.

2. The powwow was approved by ProZ.com. It is quite common for translators all over the world to meet informally, e.g. powwows in London and Edinburgh held in pubs, powwows elsewhere held in restaurants, etc.

3. There is a space provided on the powwow sign-up page for people interested to make comments. If you wanted a set agenda, you could have proposed it to me. There was enough time. You could have suggested, on the powwow page, what points you wanted to discuss, and please don't tell me that I should have done that as the organiser. You can also take initiative!!!

4. ProZ.com is a very well organised website and everything is explained somewhere if you take the time to *look* and *read.*

5. Instead of coming to a powwow and then complaining afterwards, I suggest one of you takes the intiative and organises the next powwow according to how you want it.

Best regards,
Niraja (not "Neerja")

By sincerity I mean that some important topics of discussion should be on the agenda in advance in such type of important meetings rather than waiting for the points coming from the participants. It should not be taken otherwise. Overall, it was a very good meet and we are thankful to Neerja for that.

Thanks, Rajesh and Prakaash for your kind comments.

Rajesh, I don't think "sincerity" is the right word. I think everyone who attended was very sincere.

If you want to know about ProZ.com, you can also ask questions in the forums - I've never seen you doing that.

Best regards,
Niraja

I was the first timer in the meeting held in Lodhi Gardens but suprisingly and interestingly all others were also there for the first time except Neerja. It was a good gathering in the sense that we saw each other face to face for the first time and discussed some points. But I think more sincerity should be there. There should be someone who could guide and direct the right way to proceed on proz.com. We expected some seniors and translation companies to be there and to have had some real tips from them. So next time, I hope, some great and meaningful gathering in Powwow. Thanks to Neeja who organised this short but lovely meeting which gave me chance to interact with Swati, Chandan, Prakash, Sonia, Brigitte and others. Thanks to all of you again.

It was the first time perhaps that I came face to face to my colleague translators. We discussed about some issues and the most, were enjoying sunny weather. As stated earlier, I confirmed my arrival at 9.00 am that day and rushed to the venue. It was really nice to have views from Niraja herself, Brigitte, sonia and other fellows. I would surely like to see some formal gatherings wherein agencies can also come up, sponsor such meetings, can put in the issues they face, can place ideas of modern days tools required and can arrange stuffs for their own and translators' benefits. Niraja was really very nice by arranging such a nice feast, chandan's parathas and brigitte's pastries (however I couldn't enjoy pastries due to some reasons). Brigitte lent her words to us by telling her experience of interpretation inside and outside India. I was very keen towards those words as I am still looking for a good project in my language pair of interpretation. Overall, it was really nice experience having around 8 platforms in one platform and sharing common stuffs. Being Sunday and out of any project, I was free that day and enjoyed that day to it's full in glorious Lodhi Gardens. Thanks to all of you!