MUMBAI: Hrish Thoda is an excited man, and why not? The Bangalore blogger is on his way to New York (NYC) to attend the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) and rub shoulders with the music industry's top stars. All for free of cost.

"It was unbelievable to win the 'Ticket 2 Ride' contest from India. It was my dream to meet and click a picture with Lady Gaga and Justin Timberlake on the red carpet," Thoda told Radioandmusic.com.

An avid fan of Western pop music, Thoda beat hundreds of music fans around the country to win VH1's 'Ticket 2 Ride' competition for the free tickets (he can take along a friend) and attend one of pop music calendar's big events. He will have access to the red carpet and awards ceremony itself that will have the iconic little moon men being distributed to pop stars on Monday.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the awards will be attended by stars like Lady Gaga (who will perform her new single 'Applause') Justin Timberlake (set to receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award), Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke, Kanye West, Bruno Mars, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.
Fans in India can catch the VMA live on VH1 on 26 August at 0630 hours and repeat the show at 2100 hours.

An active blogger and in social sites-sharing his views on music and cricket- Thoda plans to keep friends and Net mates updated on his adventures in the Big Apple. " It's not my first time out of India- I've been to countries like Hong Kong, South Africa and Sri Lanka- but it's my first time in New York, that too for an event like the VMA. Apart from attending the award function at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, I plan to visit the Times Square and Brooklyn Bridge. I carried the one thing I cannot do without- my camera- so I can constantly update what I am doing in the city," he said.

He credits his confidence and awareness of the 'who's' and the 'what's' of the pop world in clearing the rounds leaving the completion behind. But the final round was no cake walk as he was thoroughly grilled on his knowledge of contemporary pop stars and their music.

"My time spent on the Internet helped me in keeping in touch and I regularly watch VH1."

His advice to potential contestants for next year's awards?

"Watch the channel regularly and update yourself on what's going on in the music world. They (VH1 judges) are going to grill you on your knowledge on pop music."