| VERIFIED MEMBER Identity Checked, Location Verified (3) more info |
| Couch available | Yes |
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| CouchSurf requests replied to | 47% |
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| member since | January 10th, 2007 |
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| profile views | 606 |
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| age | 38 |
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| gender | Male |
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| membername | KIRUBA |
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| occupation | Software Business Owner |
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| education | Engineering |
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| grew up in | Chennai, India |
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| ethnicity | Indian |
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| Direct Profile URL |
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Languages- English (United States)Expert
- TamilExpert
- HindiBeginner
- TeluguBeginner
Groups I Belong To Chennai 1892:9798
Why: To meet folks who share the same interest as mine in playing a nice host to visiting travellers.
|  Beijing 10200:48600
Why: I'm visiting Beijing for the Olympic Games
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Couch Information
Couch Available: Yes
Preferred Gender: Any
No smoking allowed
Has children: No
Can host children: No
Has pets: No
Can host pets: No
Max Surfers Per Night: 2
Shared Sleeping Surface: No
Shared Room: YesWe have an extra room. Will provide mattresses, pillows and bedsheets. We also have a couch in the hall. I live in Virugambakkam in Chennai, India. Its part of the Kollywood area (the film industry of Tamilnadu)...the place which boasts of major film studios and actors.
I can help host two persons. I live with my family and they are very accomodative.
I have WiFi connectivty. We have a washing machine and if you are nice to my mom, she'll help take care of your clothes! :)
We'd love to share our homemade food and would encourage you to join us for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I have two pesky little kids who are sweet but when they are in their elements, can drive anyone up the wall.
Sorry, no alcohol, smoking. No pets either.
The reason why I like couchsurfing is because it helps us understand each other's culture. If you are looking just for accommodation and a place to crash at nights, this may not be the best place for you. But if you are interested in conversations and sharing life lessons, I would love to have you over. Friends (17)
 Mahadevan Anantharaman
33, Male
Handan, Hebei
China
Friends since May 2007
"Kiruba and I met at the Chennai CS Meeting on 25th May '07"
Friendship Type: CouchSurfing Friend
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 Kiran Jonnalagadda
33, Male
Bangalore, Karnataka
India
Friends since September 2006
"From the blogging circuit"
Friendship Type: Friend
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 Rene Gutschi
27, Male
Wolfsberg, Carinthia
Austria
Friends since August 2009
"I know this person as a great hoster"
Friendship Type: CouchSurfing Friend
 4 |
 Shreyas S
30, Male
Bangalore, Karnataka
India
Friends since May 2006
"India Tech Network"
Friendship Type: Friend
 2 |
 Clement Riedel
27, Male
Berkeley, California
United States
Friends since August 2009
"He and his wonderfull familly host me 4 days in Madras"
Friendship Type: CouchSurfing Friend
4 |
 Philip Urech
34, Male
Bern, Bern
Switzerland
Friends since March 2009
"Surfed his couch, loved his family's home-made food and got inspired by his thoughts"
Friendship Type: Good Friend
1 |
 Jean-Sebastien Poirier
25, Male
Paris, Ile-de-France
France
Friends since July 2008
"He hosted me 3 nights in Chennai"
Friendship Type: Friend
3 |
 Prashanth Manikyarajaiah
31, Male
Bangalore, Karnataka
India
Friends since October 2008
"travelled together..."
Friendship Type: Good Friend
6 |
 Calvin and Melody V.
31, Several people
Mumbai, Maharashtra
India
Friends since April 2008
"Through the blog world (he's a blogebrity!)"
Friendship Type: Haven't met yet (link request is not recommended)
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 Prashanth Nagarajan
28, Male
Rochester, New York
United States
Friends since May 2007
"We met at a CS gathering in Chennai"
Friendship Type: CouchSurfing Friend
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Personal DescriptionKiruba Shankar is CEO of Business Blogging and Director of F5ive Technologies. He has 15 years of experience in the Internet space. Prior to this, he was Associate Director at Sulekha.com.
He is currently authoring a book on Couchsurfing titled,'COUCH : How a Simple Furniture is Helping World Travelers Save Money and Build Lifelong Friendships'. More about the book at http://Kiruba.com/couch .
The idea of the book was born from his experience from being an active CouchSurfing member and its his way of giving back to the community. He thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality of hosts from countries as diverse as Japan, Croatia, USA, UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong. He has hosted many guests and each have been a wonderful experience.
His earlier books are
1) Wikipedia : A Beginner’s Guide
2) Unconference : Why the Audience is Cleverer than the Speaker. http://www.Unconference.info
3) Copy Right and Left: Understanding Creative Commons, a book that extols the importance of sharing knowledge. http://www.CopyRightandLeft.org
He has authored technology columns at The New Indian Express, Business Standard and Financial Express. He was an official blogger for NASSCOM and IAMAI (Internet and Mobile Association of India).
For two years, he sat on the advisory board of RangDe, a microfinance initiative supported by ICICI Foundation.
Kiruba loves teaching and has taught at Asian College of Journalism and Madras Advertising Club. He has lectured on Social Media at IIM Kozhikode, IIM Bangalore and IIT Madras.
Kiruba is one of the founders of The Knowledge Foundation, the group behind successful events like BlogCamp and Proto.in, a premiere event showcasing startups.
Kiruba is the Ambassador for TEDx program for India. He has helped organize TEDxChennai. He is the curator of Cerebrate.in, an international event for achievers.
He is a professional podcaster and hosts http://Kiruba.TV,where he interviews CEOs of global companies. BusinessWorld magazine ranked his blog Kiruba.com as one of India’s top blogs.
Kiruba is a rowing champion and has captained the Sify Rowing Team to four championship titles. He has participated in Chennai and Bangalore marathons and lived to tell this tale.How I Participate in CSI encourage people to trust people and help host visiting travelers. CouchSurfing ExperienceI've surfed couches in Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and will soon couchsurf at Buenos Aires, Argentina.InterestsRowing, Gardening, Ultimate FrisbeePhilosophyMy philosphy is, "Life is short. Live it full"Music, Movies, BooksFavorite Book: Erich Segal's Love Story.
Favorite Music: MLTRTypes of People I enjoyI enjoy meeting people with varied interests and the willingness to try out the extraordinary.Teach, Learn, ShareI consult corporate companies on the power of social media. Helped many companies get into corporate blogging. That's an area I can help teach. One Amazing Thing I've Seen or DoneI have captained the Sify Rowing Team to four Championship titles at the prestigious Mercants & Bankers Championship Regatta - a feat I'm very proud of. Opinion on the CouchSurfing.org ProjectConsidering that its a non-profit motive, its absolutely fantastic. Love the collaborative team spirit. Locations TraveledTRAVELED: China, Croatia, England, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa
What do these numbers mean?
This summary is not a replacement for reading references; it's a quick summary to help you get started. At a glance, you can see how many references a member has, and how many of them are positive, neutral, and negative.
In the second line, you'll see how many references came from people who hosted this member, surfed with them, and traveled with them. These numbers won't always add up to the total: some references are not categorized, and some may be categorized as more than one thing.
When viewing this summary, don't jump to conclusions! Things that are negative for one person may be positive for another, and vice versa. It's important to read references carefully and evaluate what that information means to you. References (20)19Positive 1Neutral 0Negative
3From Hosts 12From Surfers 2Traveling
 From Mark Brawler Cesena, Italy
Dec 7, 2011 Positive Where is the button MORE THAN POSITIVE? Kiruba's family is our Indian family. At the beginning we decided to spend only 3 nights at his place but just the last day we got sick and we spent almost 1 week at the end. When we were sick, Kasturi, Kiruba's mum and now our guardian angel, has cured us as only a mum can do it, we will never thank her enough and we'll keep her forever in our heart. Kiruba and Suegy are two wonderful parents and you can clearly see it in their wonderful daughters: Kalipita and Kritya. Kiruba's father has an endless kindness... we couldnt have done many things without him. We are sure that we'll meet soon again and in Italy they will be our best guest... Kiruba: you'll be accepted only if you come with your whole family. GRAZIE Mark and Stefania
 From Raphael Raghava Gorschlueter Muenster, Germany
Sep 10, 2011  Positive It was awesome! Kiruba is such a nice, friendly, genuine and amazingly hospitable person. I had an amazing time and felt really comfortable with staying with him and his family even though it was the first time couchsurfing for me and the first time in a foreign country on my own i guess...
So thank you for hosting me so nicely, thank you to your mum for the delicious food, to your sweet daughters for their friendly smile and all the interest they showed and special thanks to you, your wife and your father also for showing me around, helping me with whatever I needed and making me feel so welcome!
Next time we go for Thai food! ;)
And please let me know if you or any of your family ever comes to Germany!! We will find a good place to stay for you! :)
 From Diarmuid Brannick Dublin, Ireland (Republic of)
Aug 2, 2011 Positive You can tell a lot about a person by his children, the moment i arrived at Kiruba's place I was greeted by two of the smiliest, happiest children i have ever met. One of the most heartening things i have seen in my 3 weeks here. The family are amazing, delicious food, very friendly and accomadating. Kiruba is a bit of a genius with regards to ideas, he explained the process by which he writes books and his visualization method is pretty advanced. Fantastic guy!
 From Florian Sirieix Poussan, France
Aug 14, 2009 Positive These few days in Chennai were amazing, and particulary thx to you Kiruba, and all your family. Thx again for helping us discover Chennai, for the cricket game, thank your mum and your wife for all the delicious meals (and no, it wasn't too spicy (; ), thank your daugthers for the smiles and your dad for the chat. Hope to see you soon in France !
From Clement Riedel Berkeley, United States
Aug 13, 2009 Positive Kiruba is a great person. He is so kind: We had some transfert's problems with our luggages and he gave us clothes, brang us in interesting meeting, taught us to play cricket, gave some advice to visit the city... He is involved in so many intersting projects... We really had the occasion to share his life. Each member of its familly is adorable. His mother cooked us best indian food ever. They all lived in harmony and peace. When I think to them, I see people smiling.
Thanks again
From Rene Gutschi Wolfsberg, Austria
Aug 4, 2009 Positive I surfed for 4 Days at his family, it was my first Couch-Surf Experience and it couldn't be better! All my thanks to him, his wife, parents and children! I think he will be the best hoster during my world-trip.
 From Robert Bogic Vienna, Austria
Aug 3, 2009 Positive Staying at Kirubas place was a wonderful experience of Indian hospitality.
His mum and wife cooked me a non spicy dinner just for me! And his mum made me a coffe just as my used to make one for me when I was a kid, this gave me a the "being at home" moment instantly.
It was very nice stay with Kiruba and his family!
You are welcome at my place at any time!
 From Shayne Rochfort Hang Dong, Thailand
Jul 7, 2009 Positive Kiruba and his family are the most beautiful, kind, special and generous family. They hosted me for four days and could not possibly be any more accommodating. I have previously had some "fun" with Indian Cuisine and they specially prepared all my meals and I did not feel sick or have any problems at all. Since leaving Kiruba my body has been through hell.
They also showed me all around Chennai and gave me every help I needed, even allowing me to stay an extra night when other plans fell through. I am so thankful that I had the privilege of meeting this special family.
From Philip Urech Bern, Switzerland
Mar 21, 2009  Positive I went to Chennai to speak at the local Facebook Garage about my work against nuclear weapons for the UN. The events co-organizer Kiruba wouldn't let me stay at a hotel and invited me instead to stay at his place where I felt at home from the very first minute onwards. He and his family are of the kindest people I have ever met. We had a great and lenghty discussion on social media, politics, and society in India. Kiruba is the number one blogger on social media in India known to me - he managed to update his twitter stream as our talk progressed. In the morning - when I opened my eyes - Kiruba was updating his blog again.
Thanks especially to your mother - she is very caring and cooks the best Sambar I have ever tasted.
Unfortunately I could not stay any longer due to my tight schedule, but I would be very happy to return.
 From Daiyen Bayan Lepas, Malaysia
Sep 20, 2008 Positive Kiruba is my first host in India and it has been a wonderful start for my months long journey. He is very kind and warm person, always try his best to show and explain to me about India culture. He has a lovely family where all the members truly welcome me with big hearts. Hope to host Kiruba if he ever visit Penang in the future.
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