Priya's Vision Academy's Online Creative/Content Writing Course - Apt For Working Professionals

 Priya's Vision Academy's Online/Offline, Creative/Content Writing Classes-cum-workshops

 

Priya's Vision Academy's Online/Offline, Creative/Content Writing Classes-cum-workshops 

Yes, you can also become a professional writer.

Priya's Vision Academy conducts classes-cum-workshops for those who are interested in creative writing and desire to see their names in print, one day.

All help and information will be provided regarding publications and their contact details. The participants can write in English, Hindi or Marathi. I will explain the concepts in all these three languages.
 

The contents of the classes-cum-workshops will be aspects and techniques of writing stories, articles, press-releases, travelogues, autobiographies, debates, ads and reviews. The classes/workshops will be fun-filled, interactive sessions packed with information.

Assignments will be regularly given, assessed and thoroughly analyzed. Suggestions will be given to improve the content.

Kindly note that I am a Science graduate and also have a Post-degree, Degree in Communication and Journalism from the Pune University (B.C.J.).

My poems, articles, travelogues and stories have been published in reputed newspapers like Maharashtra Herald, Pune Newsline and Sakal Times; and magazines like Woman's Era, Alive, Poona Digest, Citizen, etc. I have been writing freelance; for three decades.

I have an ad agency’s experience too! I have written copy for websites, brochures, hoardings, bill-boards and print ads.

I maintain 4 blogs. They are as follows:

Uniquepriyasvision.blogspot.com

Creativepriyasvision.blogspot.com

Radiantpriyasvision.blogspot.com

Uberrimafideslicindia.blogspot.com

I've published 28 books (either/both in e-book and paperback versions) of which 25 are available at www.amazon.com.

I'd been adjudged as the second prize-winner in a novel-writing contest organized by Vishwakarma Publications, Pune; for my debut novel 'The Mysterious Basement of Summer City'.

I had won the third prize in an essay-writing contest organized by the I.M.A., Pune; for an essay on the topic 'Should self-defense be a part of the curriculum for girls in schools?'

I was awarded the ‘Writers’ Award Certificate’ by www.penfactor.com for my story titled ‘The Baby-doll’.

Besides the above-mentioned prizes, I’ve earlier won several writing contests.

I also contribute travel-related reviews to reputed websites like www.tripadvisor.com and www.holidayiq.com.

 I am among the top 10% of reviewers from Pune, at www.tripadvisor.com.

Fees: Rs. 8000/- p.m. (Please note that the fees are payable on registration, one day in advance.)

Total Creative Writing Course Fees: Rs. 24000/- (3 months) This Course includes Story-Writing for one month.

Total Content Writing Course Fees: Rs. 16000/- (2 months) This Course excludes Story-writing.

(For those who are short of funds, one kind of writing will be taught each month, for four days a month, 1.5 hours per day. Fees: Rs. 1500/- only. Only one completed assignment will be checked thoroughly and returned to the student, with comments for improvement, after the workshop ends. No certificate will be given.)

Age: 10 years and above

Duration: 3 months

Days: Saturdays & Sundays (For working professionals, flexible days and timings!)

Timings: 1.5 hours

Mode: Online/Offline (The offline mode is only available for big batches of 25 or more.)

Language of instruction: English, Hindi and/or Marathi (The students may choose any language in which they are proficient, for their writings)

(These classes could also be conducted in your housing society's or institution's premises in Pune, subject to availability of 25 students or more, at mutually agreeable timings and days.)

                                        A GROUP DISCOUNT WILL BE GIVEN.

At the end of the course, the student will have a portfolio of 25 writings of various kinds, to show to their prospective employer for content-writing assignments.

 A certificate of participation will be given to each participant at the end of the class-cum-workshop.

Please don't miss this golden opportunity! Hurry! What are you waiting for?

 Enroll immediately for giving wings to your imagination and creativity! Learn the ropes from an established, award-winning author who believes that anyone with some imagination and good language skills can become a good writer. Your online reviews for my writings are most welcome!

Kindly contact: Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan

Please call: 9067138313

Priya's Vision Academy - Makes Your Life Blossom!

Please like, follow and share Priya's Vision Academy's 

Face Book page at UniquePriyasVision.

My LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/priya-swaminathan-77a50956_priyarameshswaminathan

My Author Profile at Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/stores/author/B019F3TSCS/about

Once Again - Kindle Discount Deal, Amazon - Last 2 days. Hurry!

                   

                     Once Again - Kindle Discount Deal, Amazon

          Once Again - A collection of insightful stories about couples and relationships, penned by me.

Available for just $1.99 at www.amazon.com till 24th February, 2026. Hurry! Purchase it and muse over the stories...

Do post your review online. Thanks.

ONCE AGAIN

By

Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan

The copyright of this

book and all the stories therein, belong to

Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan

This book is dedicated to all the

wives and husbands. The two sides of a coin! The two halves that

make a whole! Those who are there for each other, always!

An excerpt from the short story - Radhika learns a lesson

Glancing balefully at her blissfully sleeping hubby she mused, “Rajesh is so lucky. He’s not concerned about clothes and accessories at all. He’ll happily spend the rest of his life in his shorts and tracksuit…”

          “Why am I so particular about everything? So finicky about my clothes and accessories, my appearance and attitude? Why do I care so much about what others think of me or will think of me, when I’m secretly sure that no one gives a damn?”

          She swung her arms outward, inward, up, down…. Her right arm felt like a log of dead wood. She could feel warning bells ringing in her ears. Was it paralyzed? No it couldn’t be! At least it was rising and falling. But…

End of the excerpt

Intrigued? Wish to read the full story? Kindly purchase the e-book and settle down for an enjoyable reading session that will compel you to contemplate on life's real joys...

Please post your invaluable review online at Amazon, to enable me to get more readers and reviewers. Thanks, once again.

The copyright of this book is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

Auroville - Symbol of the Mother's Worldly-wise Philosophy

    The next day, we went to Auroville, by a city bus. It took nearly 45 minutes of a bumpy ride through narrow streets; to reach there. An auto ferried us to the registration center. It took another half an hour. 

     En route, we saw some foreigners riding bicycles. The auto-driver told us that these tourists often rent houses, or stay at the center’s rooms, for weeks to many months; to get a feel of the place and recharge their spiritual batteries! We also saw numerous cashew-nut orchards. The auto-driver-cum-guide, told us that the trees would bear fruit in another few months’ time.
 

     When we reached the registration center, he informed us that he would wait for an hour for us to see the Matrimandir meditation center and return. What was left unsaid by him was understood by us! He would further charge us, for any delay! Hence we skipped the inviting cafeteria and the boutique there.

A model of the Auroville complex

      The receptionist politely informed us that we could visit the meditation center only on Wednesdays. Since that day was a Tuesday, we realized with a sinking heart that we’d miss out on that experience as we couldn’t afford to stay there for another day, as our return tickets were booked for the next day! However, we were relieved when he said that we could see the meditation center from afar, from the viewing point.

      We walked around and saw an exhibition hall with information about the Mother and her guru. Another hall was showing a video of the meditation center, with its history’s and architecture’s narration, in great detail. The International township project of Auroville had been established by the Mother (Mirra Alfassa) on 28th February, 1968. The meditation center doesn’t have images of any religious figures nor does it have any offerings like lamps, flowers, incense, etc. Thus it’s dedicated to the religion of humanity. One has to just concentrate on meditating in absolute silence, there. After that 10 minute video, we got free entry coupons to visit the viewing point. 

      There was a free bus-service to and from that point. (Autos are not allowed there.) We opted for the 20 minute walk through a rough path in the woods. We felt as though we were strolling in Mahabaleshwar, as there was red soil all around, and dense vegetation on both sides. The cool breeze lulled our senses as we walked briskly. The walk was relaxing and invigorating!

      The Mother’s worldly-wise philosophy of 12 glorious paths leading to spiritual awakening, with virtues like kindness, compassion, courage, etc. was enunciated on a board there. At several milestones, we came across boards with the picture of a particular flower and the virtue associated with it! Impressed, we hurried on, remembering the auto-driver’s ominous warning!

The ancient banyan tree

      Then we came upon the huge, more than a century-old banyan tree, just outside the viewing point. I was overwhelmed on seeing it as I had seen its picture in my childhood and had always longed to actually see and touch it! I lovingly felt its sturdy, aerial roots, spread all around. The shady canopy was soothing. I imagined the Mother strolling in its benign shade, in her lifetime! I could feel peaceful vibes radiating from that well-maintained place and permeating my soul.

Matrimandir meditation center

     

 

      Through a short, landscaped path, surrounded by rocks, flowering champa trees and well-manicured lawns, we sighted the sparkling, golden globe-shaped structure - the meditation center. It was breath-taking; glinting like an over-sized football, in the bright sunlight. We saw several motionless figures, clad in white, under some trees. At first glance, I was taken aback, as they resembled apparitions! But then I realized that they were some foreign tourists, meditating in absolute silence. 

      This was in stark contrast to some of the noisy Indian tourists who were cracking jokes and clicking snaps of that divine place. We sat down on a rock and meditated for about 5 minutes. We used the clean washrooms, equipped with soap and toilet paper and then hastened to the waiting mini-bus there, which started only when it was full to its capacity. The foreigners were with us, clad in cool white linen clothes.

      We apologized to the auto-driver for the half-an-hour delay by saying that the bus-driver had waited for everyone to come, hence we couldn’t return in an hour! We saw several tiny boutiques selling Indian hand-loom attire, artifacts, etc. We also saw open-air, life-size statues of various Gods and Goddesses like Lord Ardhanarishwara, Goddess Kali, Goddess Durga and several folk deities revered since decades, at wayside shrines. I requested the auto-driver to halt for a few moments and got some snaps of those unique shrines.

Divine retreat, tranquil repose!

      

Back at the bus-stop, as we waited for a bus to return to Puducherry, we had delicious tea at a stall. On its façade this stall had tiles of Hindu, Muslim and Christian revered figures, effectively symbolizing the gist of the Mother’s teachings of universal brotherhood!

      Again, after a bumpy ride, we were back at our guest-house, deciding to revisit Auroville on some enchanting Wednesday, in future!

      That evening we visited the beach. The promenade was clean and wide. No traffic was allowed there. We watched the milk-white waves of the vast blue Bay of Bengal, crashing against the huge boulders on the sea-shore. Later, we sat on the steps of Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial there and chatted awhile.

The Mahatma Gandhi memorial

Sunset at Puducherry beach

Unique wayside sculpture!

 

The Mahatma Gandhi memorial

     As children played noisily, sliding down the sides of the memorial, several vendors were jostling with each other to sell us their wares. A jasmine vendor refused to budge and followed us around till I purchased a fragrant strand from her (although I had already worn one!).

 
     

Another lady, a self-proclaimed fortune-teller, tried her best to get us interested in her talent. But I wasn’t swayed and told her that my Dad was himself an excellent palmist. When she persisted, I requested my husband to pay her Rs.10/-, just to get rid of her annoying presence. 

      

 

     My trick worked and at last we were alone, but not before we had told off a small boy who was hawking his amateurish drawings! It was amusing as all the vendors were very pushy and hell-bent on harassing us as we obviously didn’t look like the localites. We must have looked like sitting ducks to them!

      We watched a motor-launch, probably a fishing vessel, bobbing on the sea- water. I wanted to watch the sea bathed in the golden rays of the setting sun and hence urged my husband to wait some time longer. When the sky turned orange, red and finally purplish, the sea looked splendid with each changing color. Meanwhile lights had come on and the memorial was bathed in neon light.
 

     An amateur videographer was filming a small dance sequence in front of the memorial, on the promenade, with an over-sized tri-color. The 4 male dancers were wearing leaf-green T-shirts and dancing in its foreground! They performed cart-wheels and walked upside down, on their hands and then struck a Shahrukh Khan-like dancing pose, with salutes to the Nation. The Director was continuously requesting the motley onlookers to clap their hands in tune to the rhythm being belted out on a loud music-system, but he got only a lukewarm response.

      We walked to a nearby park filled with couples and families. It appeared well-maintained. Banners of the Puducherry cycle-marathon loomed on a dais. Outside the garden, a huge crowd had gathered around a life-sized portrait of a local politician created on the ground, with a thick floral garland outlining it. Much ado was being made about the ‘creation’ and over-enthusiastic tourists were climbing on side-tables and capturing it on their cameras for posterity! Fortunately (or otherwise) my camera’s batteries gave up, just then. I mentally apologized to that politician.

      Since our short stay had ended, we couldn’t thoroughly explore the French Quarter; a vestige of Puducherry’s famed history. The clean, former French colony, a bustling Union Territory today; will linger on in our hearts till we get an opportunity to explore it again.

Concluded

The copyright of this travelogue and photographs is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

Mother's Grace - 21st February - Pondicherry Aurobindo Ashram

                                                         Puducherry - A Tranquil Haven

Majestic traditional dwelling

We visited the Union Territory of Puducherry on our recent trip to Chennai. It is a four hour smooth drive from the Koyambedu bus terminus in Chennai. Since it was an AC bus, the journey was very comfortable and less-crowded. The lush green palm trees and banana plantations, the thatched cottages and farmers working in their fields, made for pleasant sight-seeing. As we neared Puducherry, (curiously, all the localites still refer to it, by its former name- Pondicherry!) the vast, blue bay was visible on both sides of the highway. Many churches were visible en route.

Since it was already 2.30 p.m. when we reached our guest-house, we just spent the afternoon in having lunch and thereafter, a refreshing nap. In the evening, we walked to the bus-stand and made enquiries about sight-seeing trips that we intended to make.
The chaotic traffic and the vehicle riders who were as unruly as the riders back home in Pune, made us nostalgic. Puducherry also has a mix of the old, traditional dwellings and new, swanky buildings. Numerous temples dot the place.

We visited the Manakula Vinayagar temple and offered prayers to the majestic Lord Ganesh. The temple was being renovated and several laborers were busy painting the numerous Ganeshas on the compound’s walls, with bright-colored oil paints. Small shops outside the temple sold puja items, figurines of Lord Ganesh, bangles, etc. I bought some small Ganesh idols for my collection. Among them the unique ones were one made of wood, a fiber one, reading a book and another one with 2 heads (In front and at the back too!).

Pondicherry Aurobindo Ashram-Tranquil retreat!

Then we visited the renowned Aurobindo Ashram. We were surprised to see just a crowded book-shop selling pictures and books of the Mother’s and Sri Aurobindo’s teachings, Sanskrit, etc., a small room filled with the pictures of the Mother and her spiritual guru, Sri Aurobindo and a courtyard with a profusion of neatly arranged potted plants with brightly colored flowers. Where was the Mother’s samadhi, we wondered!
The lady at the footwear stand told us that there was another entrance to the Ashram and samadhi and that it was the Mother’s birth anniversary that day. It was the 21st of February. We saw several people patiently waiting in a lengthy queue for tokens to enter the ashram.

The auto-driver was unscrupulous and wanted to take us to Auroville, at a distance of around 13 kms. to get Rs. 800/- from us, so he lied to us that there was nothing else to be seen at the ashram, besides what we had just seen and that the people in the queue were just waiting for food coupons. He even added that the food was bland, vegetarian fare, lest we decided to partake of it, little-knowing that we are vegetarians too! I was suspicious as I instinctively knew that so many people would definitely not wait for so long, just for food!

Splendid Colonial Architecture

Then we went to the Government Museum, passing by the Governor of Puducherry’s elegant colonial mansion, surrounded by verdant trees and colorful bougainvillea. It was a delightful experience. Just at its entrance, is an ancient fossil-wood trunk that is a million years old! We saw a wonderful, priceless collection of ancient coins, statues, quaint means of transportation in the bygone 19th century, geological specimens of rocks and shells, antique furniture, etc. 

The Government Museum-A treasure trove of culture.

When we emerged outside, the watchman informed us that we could click snaps of the Museum’s exteriors. We clicked several snaps of the lush vegetation there as well as the sculptures of various Gods, aesthetically enhancing the tiny garden.

The auto-driver asked us to buck up. We coolly told him to drop us off at our guest-house and paid him Rs. 300/- the agreed amount. He was crest-fallen and tried to persuade us to change our mind and go to Auroville. Since we were convinced that he was unscrupulous, we didn’t relent.

In the evening, I felt restless and told my husband that we’d make another trip to the ashram. We had missed out on the real experience, my intuition told me! Again we hailed an auto and went there. We joined the queue for the token, waited for nearly two hours and finally joined another queue leading into the ashram. Volunteers clad in white, ushered us in. I told one volunteer that the token-system was flawed as people were jumping the queue and the person handing out tokens was giving those people preference. He made a note of it.

I asked him whether there was such a huge rush everyday. He informed us that the Mother’s personal quarters inside the ashram were opened to the public only on the Mother’s birth anniversary on 21st February, 15th August or on one’s birthday. Only pass-holders are allowed in on other days. We were pleased as punch. We were going to have darshan of the benign Mother’s samadhi, her personal quarters and belongings on her birthday! Boy! Was I glad to have followed my hunch!

Again we waited for an hour to go in, as people were allowed in, only in batches of around 100. We patiently sat on the carpets on the ground, quietly meditating. Silence was compulsory and cell-phones had to be switched off. Some tourists were viewing messages on their mobiles and some were talking in hushed whispers, but by and large, people were silently meditating, thanks to the volunteers hovering there.

We saw the quarters housed in that majestic colonial edifice, and her belongings,

 covered in pristine white satin. The rooms were fragrant with incense. There was total silence and the fragrance of the Divine Mother engulfed us. We could feel her presence around us. We silently offered prayers to her, offered donations in the box placed there and walked down the wooden steps to her samadhi. It was a huge block of white marble covered with flowers and incense-sticks. We knelt down and touched the samadhi with our foreheads. Then we meditated in front of the samadhi. It was a very surreal experience.

To be continued.....

The copyright of this travelogue is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

Once Again - Let's Start Afresh...

 Dear friends,

                           Wishing you all a Very Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year!           

                                      Once again, I'm delighted to inform you that my e-book titled "Once Again" is available for purchase, for just $1.99 at www.amazon.com till 24th February, 2026.

                                       It is a compilation of thought-provoking short stories. 

                                       Do consider purchasing this book and reading it for its wonderful insight into the lives of married couples. Happy reading session! And of course, do post a review on Amazon for other prospective readers. 

                                       Thanks in anticipation. Once again. 😍 😀 💕 Priya

                                                                Foreword of the book

          Marriage is an institution that has stood the test of time. Once married, the husband and wife have to fulfill their marriage vows of being there for each other through thick and thin.

          If compatible, things roll smoothly without a hiccup. But if any one of the two has an irritating habit or two, is selfish and egocentric or plain indifferent, matters could come to a head! Often, lack of empathy and communication make things worse and divorce becomes the only option!

          With children in the picture, complications multiply. So to have a happy and well-adjusted family, everyone in the family must learn to compromise on certain trivial issues and stand by each other in any circumstance.

          Though easier said than done, it isn’t wholly impossible.

          The protagonists in the stories in this book are couples who have learnt to adjust or those who unfortunately haven’t. Sometimes it’s better to let go, than staying on in a toxic relationship.

          As with all relationships, you gain some and you lose some. Each to his, her or their own!

                                                                           *****

            Welcome to this world of bitter-sweet relationships! Contemplate your own...
          There's always another chance at setting things straight in life.
          We could pick or pass! Do you agree?

                                                                  *****

 I've designed another cover for the e-book version. I'm posting it below. Kindly let me know whether you would prefer this one over the one that I have already used. But you'll have to first read the book to decide...😀

The copyright of this book is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.