Thursday 28 November 2019

Priya's Vision Academy's Creative Writing Classes-cum-workshops in Pune


Priya's Vision Academy's Creative Writing Classes-cum-workshops in Pune

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, travelogues, autobiographies, debates, etc. The classes/workshops will be fun-filled, interactive sessions packed with information.

Assignments will be regularly given, assessed and 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 14 books (both in e-book and paperback versions) at www.amazon.com.
Here’s the list of my books:
1.      The Enigma and other stories
2.      The Obsession
3.      The Mysterious Basement of Summer City (Prize-winning, debut novel)
4.      Wow! Wrong Number
5.      You Compromise, I Won’t!
6.      Unconditional Love in Exchange
7.      Just Not Meant For Marriage!
8.      The Byline and other stories
9.      A Good Old Rumor! and other stories
    10.   The Celestial Souls of Khambetka
    11.   Of Siblings and E-Friends
    12.   Dad’s Great, Boys! (Also published at www.draft2digital.com)
    13.   God’s Will
    14.   The Trophy Wife
    15.   The Love-addict (www.freeditorial.com)
    16.   A Suitor for the Princess (https://radiantpriyasvision.blogspot.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?'

Recently, 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.

*The classes will be conducted for batches of 5 and above.*

Fees: Rs. 3000/- p.m. only (For senior citizens, the fees are Rs. 2000/-p.m.) Please note that the fees are payable on registration, one day in advance.
Age: 12 years and above
Duration: 3 months
Days: Saturdays & Sundays
Timings: 1.5 hours
Venue no. 1: Somwar Peth, Pune-1
Venue no. 2: Sus Road, Pashan, Pune-21
(These classes could also be conducted in your housing society's or institution's premises, subject to availability of 25 students or more, at mutually agreeable timings and days.)
 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 author who believes that anyone with some imagination can become a good writer. Your online reviews for my writings are most welcome!

Kindly contact: Mrs. Priya Swaminathan

Please call: 9850019553

Priya's Vision Academy - Makes Your Life Blossom!
P.S. If anyone is interested in enrolling for an online course, kindly comment likewise. The fees would be higher though!










                         

COURSES CONDUCTED BY PRIYA'S VISION ACADEMY, PUNE



COURSES CONDUCTED BY 
         PRIYA'S VISION ACADEMY,                                        PUNE                                            
My 'Art Master Show' for demonstrating Rock Art, on the ICC Lifestyle Channel, Pune
Modified snap - My entry to the Freelancer Profile Contest



                                                                            
Drawing competition held at an N.G.O. Pune


Drawing competition held at our housing society

Craft workshop held at Karvenagar, Pune

New Year's Party
                               
1.Spoken English: 2 mths.
(Weekend batch:Sat-Sun 1.5 hrs.)
Rs.1500/- p.m.                      

2.Personality Development: 2 mths.
(Weekend batch:Sat-Sun 1.5 hrs.)
Rs.1500/- p.m.                      

3.Public Speaking: 1 mth.
(Weekend batch:Sat-Sun 1.5 hrs.)
Rs.1500/- p.m.

4.Creative Writing: 3 mths.
(Weekend batch:Sat-Sun 1.5 hrs.)
Rs. 3000/- p.m

5.Content-writing for Websites: 1 mth.
(Weekend batch:Sat-Sun 1.5 hrs.)
Rs. 3000/- p.m.

6.Business Communication/Communication Skills: 1 mth.
(Weekend batch:Sat-Sun 1.5 hrs.)
Rs.1500/- p.m.

7.Hobby Classes: Fabric-painting/hand-embroidery/pot-painting/
mehendi/rangoli/art/ craft/: 1 mth.
(Any 2 week-days.1.5 hrs.) Rs.800/- p.m. 
One hobby will be taught every month.

8.Priya's Activity Club: 
Art/Craft/Singing/Games
Every month on Sundays. 1.5 hrs.
Rs. 600/- p.m.

9.School Tuition: 1st to 9th standards.  
    

(ONLY 6 STUDENTS PER BATCH)   

(SSC/CBSE Boards: 1.5 hrs. (Mon.- Fri.)

Fees: 1st to 3rd: Rs.1200/-for all subjects 
Half-yearly fees payable in advance. 
(Total 11 months’ fees: 6mths.' + 5 mths.' fees)
         
          4th to 6th: Rs.1500/-for all subjects.
Half-yearly fees payable in advance. 
(Total 11 months’ fees: 6mths.' + 5 mths.' fees)
         
          7th to 9th: Rs. 4000/- for Maths, Science and English.
                            Rs. 7000/- for all subjects. 
Half-yearly fees payable in advance.
(Total 11  months’ fees: 6mths.' + 5 mths.' fees)

IF BATCHES OF 20 AND ABOVE ARE AVAILABLE, ALL CLASSES EXCEPT TUITION COULD BE CONDUCTED IN YOUR HOUSING SOCIETY'S PREMISES.

Regular Venues

 1. Pashan - Sus Rd., Pune 21
 2. Somwar Peth, Nr. MSEB, Pune - 1

 USPs: Personal attention
            Regular assignments
             Assured results
             All-round development
             Friendly teacher            

Please contact: Mrs. Priya Swaminathan      
Phone no.          9850019553                                          

Monday 25 November 2019

Sadhu T.L.Vaswani - Guru with a mission!

          
Image courtesy: https://sadhuvaswani.org/pages/sadhu-vaswani


        

       The great visionary, poet, writer and educationist Sadhu T.L. Vaswani, founder of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission, was born on 25th November, 1879.

          
          Today, his mission has spread its wings far and wide. A staunch animal rights activist, he propagated the message of non-violence towards all living creatures. His birthday is celebrated world-wide as 'International Meatless Day' or 'International Vegetarian Day'. Several people pledge to observe this day, by abstaining from having non-vegetarian food.
               
           (By the way, why not make every day meatless?)


One of his most powerful messages was:

Religion - Let's talk of it less, practise more!

Still relevant in today's times!


My review on 'Darshan', as follows, had earlier been posted on www.tripadvisor.com.

Darshan - An interactive 3D show on Sadhu T.L.Vaswani's life and mission

          Yesterday, I visited Darshan, with my husband. Being an ex-student of the St. Mira's High School, I felt proud and was visibly moved when I experienced the aura of our school's Founder, Sadhu T.L. Vaswani. Indeed, his is a life to be emulated. The show was very inspiring, motivating and touching.
          Its venue is at the Sadhu Vaswani Mission's campus at 10, Sadhu Vaswani Path, Nr. G.P.O., Pune-1. The show incorporates a sound and light show, real-life mannequins, footage shot with models, tableaux with voice-overs; bringing to life the spiritual quest of Sadhu T.L.Vaswani's mission in life; and a simulated conversation with his disciple, Dada J.P.Vaswani. The visuals and acoustics are state-of-the-art and draw you into a divine experience.
          However, I felt that the show must include some of the achievements of the school and college too. It should also highlight all the humanitarian work carried out by the Sadhu Vaswani Mission, to make the layman aware of its yeoman service to humanity.
          Some more time should be allotted to visitors for the touch-screen info, as it is voluminous and will involve detailed reading. But overall, it was an overwhelming and sublime experience, one that we would like to repeat again and again. A must-watch!
          The timings of the show are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The show's duration is 100 minutes. The last show is a fast-track one that runs for 60 minutes. The entry is free. It's open for visitors of ages 3 years and above.
          The premises are spic and span, green and peaceful. The founder's Samadhi nearby can be visited too. Excellent arrangements are available for the visitors, such as a waiting area with seating, washrooms and a wheel-chair facility for the infirm/handicapped persons. The staff is very courteous, patient and helpful.
          A book written by Sadhu T.L.Vaswani titled 'The Life Beautiful-A book of daily readings', is given to each visitor, free of cost, after the show. Visitors are requested to give their feedback in the visitors' register.
         Kindly visit the website www.darshan.net.in for more details.

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

Thursday 21 November 2019

The Baby-doll (An excerpt)





Dear friends,

‘The Baby-doll’ is a story from my e-book titled ‘You Compromise, I Won’t!’
I recently received the ‘Writers’ Award Certificate’ from www.penfactor.com for this story. This story can be perused at this website, for free. Just look up page number 2, under the category – Paranormal Fiction/Magic Realism.

https://www.penfactor.com/competitions/pub/1465972312939

THE BABY-DOLL

This story is about a family whose children fail to bear progeny. It's like a jinx. Things change overnight when the patriarch of the family purchases a singing Baby-doll. It proves lucky and breaks the jinx. As each of his children become parents, the fame of the doll spreads and the childless vie for its temporary possession. One such lucky benefactor however, has to bear her husband's wrath after he discovers that she has been infidel. So was the Baby-doll really lucky or were its recipients engaged in extra-marital affairs? Was it a coincidence that the childless bore children after getting the doll, were they really blessed by the doll, or was there more to it than what meets the eye? The readers can come to their own conclusions.
PARANORMAL FICTION / MAGIC REALISM

PRIYA SWAMINATHAN (INDIA)
                                                                       EXCERPT
          One day when Mr. Gonzalves was passing by a huge toy-store, a pretty, plump doll in the display window caught his fancy.  Well, what the heck?  he thought.  If I can’t have a grand-child, I’ll make do with this doll!  He impulsively rushed into the shop and purchased it.  When he emerged, he was beaming with his precious possession.  The doll in its beautifully wrapped box! 
          The owner of the store had asked him whether he was buying it for his grand-daughter and whether he’d have liked it gift-wrapped.  Mr. Gonzalves had just said simply “Gift-wrap it please!”
          When Mrs. Gonzalves opened the package and saw the doll, her eyes brimmed with tears.  She clasped it against her bosom.  Then she wiped her tears and smiled the most beautiful smile that her husband had ever seen.  She looked so beautiful.  Their son and daughter-in-law had gone for a movie.  Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalves played the songs recorded in the doll, over and over again and childishly sang along and danced to its tunes.  They also had an impromptu birthday party for their ‘Baby-doll’.  They couldn’t recollect when they had been so happy in their lifetime. 
          Ronnie and Margaret too loved the doll at first sight.  Somehow that ‘Baby-doll’ as Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalves had christened it, cheered all of them up.  The ‘Baby-doll’ kept singing all her songs again and again, day in and day out. But none of them tired of the routine.  And then a miracle happened. 
          Exactly after three months, Margaret conceived.  That good news was celebrated privately by all of them.  They were superstitious, hence didn’t want to reveal the good news to their neighbors.  They decided that they’d keep the news a secret for as long as they could.  All of them felt that ‘Baby-doll’ had brought them luck and hence the stork had visited them.
          By the time Margaret delivered, there was a waiting list for Baby-doll. Of course, the highest on that list were Margaret’s three sisters-in-law. Accordingly, Baby-doll was passed on to the eldest one in Mangalore, then to the next one in Raipur and then to the youngest one in Mumbai. After all the three of them had given birth to bonny babies, the Gonzalves family decided to dedicate Baby-doll to the service of the community and spread hope and good cheer among the childless couples.
                                            END OF EXCERPT
                                             ****************
Intrigued? Immediately purchase this e-book for just $0.99 and start reading…. A Kindle Countdown Deal is on at www.amazon.com. Remember that I am eagerly looking forward to your feedback. Thanks. 
Priya

Wednesday 20 November 2019

You compromise, I won’t! - Kindle Countdown Deal

Kindle Countdown Deal on my e-book titled ‘You compromise, I won’t!’


Dear friends,
      What is life, if not a compromise? How people deal with circumstances needing a compromise, may vary greatly, as each person has a different perspective. Have you ever compromised? This collection of stories will set you thinking again....
      Kindly note that a Kindle Countdown Deal will be on at www.amazon.com for my e-book titled ‘You compromise, I won’t!’ from 22.11.2019 (8.00 a.m.) till 29.11.2019 (12.00 a.m.).

Paperback's cover

Paperback's back cover

E-book's cover

You could purchase this ebook for $0.99 only, at a whopping discount of 67% of its original price of $2.99.You could even preview it for free, at www.amazon.com. 




Kindly read this book’s review by Vijay Singh, on this blog. 
(Blog dated 23.07.2017)

One of the stories from this collection of stories is The Baby-doll. I recently received the 'Writers' Award Certificate' from www.penfactor.com for this story. You could read this gripping story at www.penfactor.com under the 
Category: Paranormal and Magical Realism - Page 2.

Hurry! Your invaluable feedback is most welcome.
You could even browse through my other 13 paperbacks and e-books at the same website!
You could peruse my novel titled The love-addict at www.freeditorial.com,
my novel titled Dad's great, boys! at www.draft2digital.com
and
my novel titled 
A suitor for the princess at https://radiantpriyasvision.blogspot.com.

Happy reading session!
Thanks. Have a nice day!
                                                               Priya

Monday 18 November 2019

Rest in eternal peace dear Amma!


Dear Amma,
It seems just like yesterday. But the calendar tells us that it was 6 years ago when you left us, for your abode in Heaven! Every morning brings a breath of fresh air, whispering to us that you are always around. The red hibiscus plant that I planted in your memory bears beautiful, vivid red blossoms, reminding me that you are showering your blessings on us every day.
Be our guardian angel for life, that's what we pray.
And also implore the Lord to keep you comfortable and happy in Heaven.
Thanks for giving us this life.
And for giving us such a nice upbringing too.
Rest in eternal peace, dear Amma.
We are happy to cherish your precious memory by feeling your presence in the glorious nature all around us. Always near, always dear!
Priya, Prakash and Prabha
Your three little gems
and
Anna
Your soulmate

Ravi and Ramesh too remember your selfless and compassionate ways!

Saturday 2 November 2019

Of Siblings and E-friends - Kindle Countdown Deal

Dear friends,
A Kindle Countdown Deal will be on from 4th to 11th November, 2019 at www.amazon.com for my ebook titled Of Siblings and E-friends.
This ebook will be available for just  $0.99 at a whopping discount of 67%
So hurry and grab this golden opportunity to read a wonderful collection of stories that will set you thinking about relationships between siblings and efriends.
Is blood truly thicker than water or should we swear only by our friends? More importantly, how do efriends figure in the larger picture? Are they trustworthy or to be feared?
Read on and arrive at your own conclusions, but do let me know, through your reviews directly at www.amazon.com.
While you are at it, do consider purchasing and reading my other 15 novels too.
Thanks in anticipation.
Happy reading!
Priya