Priya's Vision Academy - Testimonial given by a student

 Testimonial by a student of the Online Creative Writing Course of Priya’s Vision Academy

                                                                       Pravin Kumar 

I have been a student of Priya’s Vision Academy for the last 1 month. I am an IT professional with an experience of 7 years and I want to pursue content writing as a freelance career option. I am very passionate about reading books and writing. I would love to write stories, essays, articles and blogs.  I have been working from home for the last 18 months and I thought of engaging in some gainful pursuit to help me while away my time as well as learn some new skill.

I was actually looking up the internet for creative writing courses conducted by IGNOU and Symbiosis but when I came across this course, I was very heartened and jumped at the golden opportunity. 

In the first month I have learned content-writing for various types of articles, essays, travelogues, press releases and blogs. Priya Madam has taught the nuances and nitty-gritty of content writing in a very comprehensive and lucid way.

The classes have been very lively and interactive. It is like a confluence of 2 intellectual minds. As I am also very passionate about the English language and possess a flair for writing, I and Priya Madam complement each other immensely by adding our creative inputs together. It is this brainstorming that makes the classes all the more interesting and enjoyable and that definitely is the USP of these classes.

I get a hands-on experience while actually writing the assignments during the classes; simultaneously interacting with Madam through videoconferencing. I feel gratified to come across a teacher who is so friendly and approachable. She imparts excellent guidance, gives one-to-one attention and solves all my doubts and queries.

I am really looking forward to learning newer types of writing such as story-writing, poetry, autobiography, biography, debates, ads, website content writing etc. from her. 

Since I can learn from the comfort of my home, it is an added bonus!

I will highly recommend this online course conducted by Priya's Vision Academy to anyone who is interested in writing and wants to pursue writing as a career option.

Pravin Kumar, 

WIPRO 

*****************************

Here's An Ode to Priya’s Vision Academy by Pravin Kumar, my talented student.

(Refers to the Online, 3-month, Biweekly, Creative Writing Class - cum - workshop attended by him)

Lockdown blues!  Lockdown blues!

English language, you are my muse!

How I wish I was in your shoes!

Stuck in a rut, I keep writing in my diary

Drowned in ennui, dreary and fiery

Walls and lights, I looked around the house

I reached out for my laptop and mouse

I looked up the web, stumbled upon Quora

And finally, I found my long-lost aura

I discovered Priya’s Vision Academy and made a call

Little did I realize, 

I was really going to have a ball

When I first put pen to paper

I  had a nice creative caper

Lockdown blues! Lockdown blues!

English language, you are my muse!

Oh, it has been a roller-coaster ride

As I say this, my chest swells with pride!

Was enlivened by writing essays

Traversed the world with travelogues

Content writing was cathartic

Advertisements were amazing

Press releases were pleasurable

Smitten with writing stories

Piquant poems and rapturous rhapsodies

Autobiographies, Biographies, Debates. Slogans 

and everything under the sun.

 Priya Madam is excellent, kind ‘n’ fun

She guarantees attention one-to-one

 So, hear all you folks with lots of hopes,

Enroll, start writing and learn the ropes!

Lockdown blues!   Lockdown blues!
 

English language, you are my muse!

Now I’m actually in your shoes!

Thanks to Priya’s Vision Academy,

I've now transformed from a diffident writer

To a professional, bold and confident writer!

                     **********

Hey Pravin,

                     I'm overwhelmed by your glowing tribute to my creative writing course. I'm sure that you'll soon go places with your innate talent and make us proud!

                     All the best for your journey as a writer!

                                                                                          Priya 

                                                                              **********

Contact details for inquiries about the online creative writing course:

Contact person: Mrs. Priya Swaminathan                        Ph. no. 9067 13 83 13

                             Proprietor,

                             Priya's Vision Academy, Pune

Priya's Vision Academy - Testimonials - Proof of the pudding is in the eating!

                                           PRIYA'S VISION ACADEMY

Testimonials from my dear students are the best proof that my Creative Writing Course-cum-workshop delivers excellent results. 

• Here are some reviews:
• 
  
• Review by Mrs.Vaishali Amit Agarwal
• 
  
• My Creative Writing Course
• 
  
• I always wanted to develop my writing skills and was on the constant lookout for a mentor who could help me out with this. On LinkedIn I came across information related to Priya’s Vision Academy in Pashan. It is run by Mrs. Priya Swaminathan. She has a rich experience of nearly a decade in teaching creative writing. She conducts weekend classes for working professionals. On seeing her profile and her body of work, I was assured of the quality of output that I would be able to generate under her guidance. During the pandemic she started conducting virtual classes through video-conferencing on alternate days for 1 hour each. Initially I was worried about the effectiveness of the course in online mode. But the way the classes were structured and conducted; I was very happy with the outcome. Mrs. Priya is a good teacher. She gives us appropriate feedback so that we can actually improve our writing skills. She also motivates us from time to time to read and write regularly to enhance our skills. The topics discussed during the sessions were interesting and I loved the thought process the writer goes through. This was my experience with Mrs. Priya for a month. I am eager to complete the remaining 2 months of the course. I would highly recommend Priya’s Vision Academy to develop your creative writing skills. She also conducts workshops for Spoken English, Personality Development, Public Speaking and Business Communication Skills.
•  
• Review by Mr.Amit Agarwal
• 
  
• My Creative Writing Course
• 
  
• Do you feel that you can never write like the authors whose books you read on a regular basis? Don't worry you are not alone. A few days back I also had the same feeling but then I joined a creative workshop conducted by Ms. Priya Swaminathan, Proprietor of Priya's Vision Academy. Due to the pandemic, she conducted the workshop through video-conferencing but she also conducts such workshops in person. My wife and I attended this workshop in online mode. You can learn creative writing in the comfort of your home without worrying about the quality of training. Ms. Priya will give an interesting assignment in each session, which you would need to finish. She will review those assignments with you and suggest improvements. Total duration of the course is 3 months. I have just completed one month and already I feel more comfortable in writing original pieces of work which I had never dreamt of before! Though I am not yet close to any of the authors whom I have admired since my childhood, as far as my writing is concerned; I now think that one day I can surely write like them, thanks to this workshop. If you also want to overcome your fear, then look no further and register yourself for this amazing workshop and see yourself as an accomplished writer. I am a working professional and was worried about the timings but learnt that Ms. Priya provides flexible timings and hence I was relieved.

Thank you so much, Vaishali and Amit. I am also blessed to have sincere and enthusiastic students like you. You both will soon get your writings published.

Priya

Learn to Speak Fluent English at Priya's Vision Academy - Hurry Up and Enroll!

           

                  Learn to Speak Fluent English at Priya's Vision Academy

 Dear friends, 

                            English is a global language. It's an efficient and easy method of communication. In the current scenario, it is imperative that people learn to converse in perfect English, flawlessly. 

                            Whether it is a job interview, a group discussion, a presentation in office, delivering a speech, giving an interview to obtain a visa, participating in an elocution or story-telling contest, networking on social media or just conversing at office or with friends and associates, proficiency in English gives you an added edge.

                             For those who have studied through the vernacular medium, matching verbal skills with those from an English medium background could sometimes be problematic.

                             Then there are some professions like teaching, marketing, publishing, journalism (with specific reference to English dailies and magazines), digital marketing through social media, jobs in Multi-National Companies, various administrative services, etc. where speaking English fluently could make a great difference to your profile and help in career-advancement.

                              So, whether for professional purposes like advancement of your career or just for the joy of conversing fluently in a language apart from your mother tongue and the official Indian language (Hindi); you could consider enrolling for an Online Spoken English Course conducted by Priya's Vision Academy. 

    Speak English in Style  - Priya's Vision Academy Will Take You The Extra Mile!

                 Eagerly looking forward to your calls and to teaching you!

                 Thanks in anticipation!

                                                                                                                                                              Priya

                     The benefits will be as follows:

1. Individual attention.

2. Friendly and experienced teacher.

3. Lively interaction.

4. Notes.

5. Several practice sessions.

6. Counseling.

7. Lots of fun!

                       Here are the details of the Online Spoken English Course:

Duration: 6 months 

Days: Thrice a week. (Monday, Wednesday & Friday)

Timings: 1 hour, each day. (Mutually agreeable and fixed timings for the entire batch)

Total fees: Rs. 18000/- (Monthly payment of Rs. 3000 payable through N.E.F.T, one day before course-commencement)

Discount for total fees' payment in advance: Rs. 1000, so only Rs.17000 will be payable.

Mode of instruction: Online

Kindly note: The classes will be conducted subject to an enrollment of at least 5 students per batch.

Exclusive 'one to one' classes will be conducted for college students and working professionals, with flexible days and timings at advanced rates; as per their existing level of proficiency in English.

A certificate will be awarded on successful completion of the course. 

So what are you waiting for? Grab this golden opportunity to learn and flourish!

Kindly contact: Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan, 

                           Proprietor, 

                           Priya's Vision Academy         

Mobile nos.       9067138313

                           9850019553

                                    Priya's Vision Academy - Makes Your Life Blossom. 

Just Not Meant For Marriage! - My Book Dedicated to My Dear Dad!

                                                    

I had dedicated my novel titled 'Just Not Meant For Marriage!' to my dear Anna. Here's the tribute...                                       

Myself with the two Rs in my life!

                                        A tribute to my beloved father (Anna)

                                                   For a Very Special Person!

                     I dedicate this book to my evergreen Dad, Ramesh Sharma. Fondly called Anna by us, he is the person who taught us to be brave and confident, while struggling against all odds. His unstinting support was behind the success of my mother as a Principal. An old adage goes, “Behind every successful man, there is a woman.” My father turned this adage on its head! “Behind every successful woman, there is a man!” 

                      He was like ‘The Rock of Gibraltar’ for her, always helping her out with the chores, guiding us in our home-work, availing leave for our Board Exams to ferry us to and from our respective exam centres and attending to his work at his office. He ensured that we didn't only study, but had hobbies and other recreation too.

                 I’ll especially never forget how he spent several sleepless nights when I had severe jaundice, as a young girl. He would be always at my bedside, at the hospital and later, at home, administering my medicines on time, buying and giving me the appropriate diet as prescribed by the physician and encouraging me with kind, loving words and lots of Chandamama books!    

                      Later in life, when I insisted on having an arranged, but registered marriage, without matching horoscopes; and with a list of attributes to be possessed by my would-be groom, my father ran around meeting prospective grooms, apprising them of my ‘demand’ for a simple, no-frills, registered marriage ceremony, braved being rejected by them; till he finally discovered one such ‘gem’ for me! A perfect match - my husband Ramesh! What a beautiful coincidence it was, to have my husband sharing my beloved father’s name!  Of course, I soon discovered that they share several endearing traits too! In fact, I often joke that they could pass off as father and son!            

                      He is also a great multi-tasker and shows us how life must be lived and enjoyed. He is great pals with our friends too and they envy us for having such an easy-going and friendly father. We are never scared of him and always look up to him for any advice, and he has never ever failed us. He is a living example of how a person can be a constant source of joy for everyone around him! He is very helpful, dependable and doesn't thrive on any ego. He takes equal pride in my mother's and our achievements. He never boasts about his accomplishments, which are quite a few! 

                      He’s blessed with a photographic memory as he remembers people and places, even after meeting and visiting them just once, no matter how long ago! He’s a good singer, a great artist and an excellent palmist. His exhibition of water-paintings and fabric paintings was very well-received by one and all! He’s fond of listening to good music and watching movies. He dotes on his grand-daughter and constantly teaches her new things. Apart from our family, his friends at the Senior Citizens’ Association are his other lifeline. He enjoys spending his time with them and often goes for picnics and other programs, with them. They miss his lively and cheerful company when he is not around. His enthusiasm is highly infectious!

                      He appreciates the wonders of Mother Nature and has inculcated the same perspective in us too. He has always encouraged us to be forthright and fearless, honest and just, in our dealings and interactions with others.

                 Thanks to these two great teachers, my mother and father, we siblings have become well-balanced individuals and always strive to make them proud of us. For them, we are three little gems and for us they are our heart and soul! We owe everything to them. Dear Amma, we miss you a lot!

                      Thank you Anna, for always being there for us!

                                                                                                     

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

     A Kindle Countdown Deal is on till 10th December, 2025 at www.amazon.com for this e-book which will be available for just $1.99. So hurry and purchase it. Read and review it. Enjoy your reading and reviewing sessions. Please don't forget to post your invaluable review at Amazon.com.  

Thanks in advance. 

Priya          

This lovely collage has been created by me with the help of Canva.com. Thanks, Canva!

Have a Date with Dashing Preet! - Read 'Just Not Meant For Marriage!

 Dear friends,

What happens when a person finds his soul-mate but that soul-mate is unwilling to reciprocate?

Read on to experience it in my e-book titled Just Not Meant For Marriage!

A Kindle Countdown Deal will be on from 3rd to 10th December, 2025 at www.amazon.com for this e-book which will be available for just $1.99. So hurry and purchase it. Read and review it. Enjoy your reading and reviewing sessions. Please don't forget to post your invaluable review at Amazon.com.

You could even peruse my other 27 books.

Eagerly awaiting your invaluable feedback!

Thanks.

Priya Swaminathan

EXCERPT

          Preet had an annoying habit. It drove girls literally up the wall. He would court all the pretty girls in college, have them eating out of his hands and eating out their hearts for him and then spoil it all by popping the most-dreaded question. It was not the eagerly looked forward to, “Will you marry me please?” No, that wasn’t the most-dreaded question. It was, hold your breath, “Are you just not meant for marriage?” All the girls who had swooned over him some time in their college lives had been flabbergasted by that bomber.

              

          But eventually, everyone had reconciled themselves to the inevitable, ridiculous proposal. In fact, no girl was still quite sure what that absurd question meant. Did he mean that he was asking her to marry him in a back-handed manner, or did he want to cast her away by insinuating that she was not worthy enough for marriage? And that too after wooing her as if she was the last girl on earth!

******************

             

          Preet was the equivalent of Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Salman Khan and Naseeruddin Shah; all rolled into one combo package of style, romance, brawn and smoldering intensity. As for looks, he had everything going for him, right from grayish-brown dreamy eyes fringed by thick lashes, smooth high forehead, well-chiseled cheek-bones and chin, tawny complexion and thick black hair that was always styled as per the latest trend in town. His gym-toned body was just meant for modeling as he wore smart outfits that suited him to the T. Towering well above six feet, he stood out from the rest of the college boys.

              

          Almost all the girls who enrolled in Universal College fell in love with him as soon as they set their eyes on this impossibly good-looking dude. After all, seeing the above-mentioned heroes on screen and seeing their combo in person, was different. Well actually, thrilling! They just couldn’t believe their luck. Each girl tried to get into his good books and charm him as much as she could. In fact, these girls thought that education and careers were secondary, as their primary aim was to land the catch of Preet! It was the be-all and end-all of their existence.

                

           Thus Preet got to see girls of all shapes and sizes, dressed in all types of clothes from mini-skirts to saris, ‘artificially’ made-up or ‘naturally’ made-up and with all sorts of fancy accessories. His friends envied him but joked that thanks to him, they also got to see well-dressed lasses and feast their eyes on them! Preet was cool and casual in his manner towards the girls. He didn’t lead anyone on. He obviously was waiting for someone special to light up his life. He just knew that one look would be enough to separate the grain from the chaff. His heart would tell him so!

END OF THE EXCERPT

Did you like what you just read? Would you like to find out what happens next?

Kindly purchase the e-book and read on.... Preet is waiting for you....

Here's the link:

Just Not Meant For Marriage!

https://www.amazon.com/Meant-Marriage-Priya-Ramesh-Swaminathan-ebook/dp/B0716TDTJK/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0

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

Mount Abu - In Seventh Heaven! (Part 2)

The pleasing courtyard of Shree Ganesh Hotel - Mount Abu

                                                             

     The Shree Ganesh Hotelwas clean and small, but the hearts of its owner and staff were large! The owner, Sri Kanaujiya went out of the way to make our stay comfortable. He provided us with tips for our itinerary, arranged a very reasonable sight-seeing trip at Rs. 100/- per head and gave us directions like a seasoned elderly person. He insisted on our seeing the beautiful Brahmakumari Museum and Nakki lake. His son who ran the Baba’s cafeteria was smart and helpful. The cook and his assistant were two brothers. Helpful, cheerful, prompt, courteous, sincere and with a delightful sense of humor! We enjoyed our light-hearted banter with all of them over our meals. The tea that they served was out of this world!

     No room service charges and fancy tariff rates assailed our senses here, as is generally the norm with big hotels. We felt very cozy and protected. The warmth of the people added to its homeliness. We wished that we could’ve stayed a little longer there. But, there is always a next time, isn’t it?

Chilling out at Sunset Point - Mount Abu

(We haven't defaced the wall. Some other love-bird's handiwork!)

     The highlight of our trip? 

     The stroll up to the 'must-see', Sunset Point was tiring as well as invigorating. Tiring, because it was the last point to be seen that day, after all that ascent and descent; and invigorating because, we looked forward to that glorious much-talked about experience. Besides, the company of nubile young honeymooning couples, raucous families and sedate senior citizens, commuting in quaint hand-drawn sledge-like carriages, ponies or briskly walking towards the hill; was very lively. There was anticipation in the air. Would we see the sun in all its finery or miss it if it was shrouded in mist? All of us were on a mission at sunset point.To see the brilliant golden orb turn orange, red and then suddenly vanish! 

     Hawkers vended stoles, hats and crunchy snacks. People, including myself, clicked the hills and surroundings, non-stop. Most of us saw the setting sun through our narrow camera lenses, and when we came to our senses, the sun had risen in The United States of America! As twilight set in along with the chill, we slowly made our way to the hotel. Suddenly, I turned around and saw the most beautiful scene there. Silhouettes of tourists, tall trees and the misty hills with just the after-glow of the sunset. Wow, here was the best snap, begging to be clicked! You bet, I obliged it!

     Our worst experience while staying there?
     It was appalling to see men lugging hand-drawn sledges filled with tourists, uphill to the Sunset point. Since the sledges were obviously too heavy, they had to literally run along with the sledges. Around 2 to 4 men were needed to pull the sledges. It was disheartening to see this inhuman practice still being followed in the 21st century. To add to their misery, people were haggling over the measly prices too! Yes, poverty abounds in India as does inhuman behavior. We could only hope that the Government does something radical to alleviate their lot.

The Majestic Ambaji Temple

     We got an opportunity to visit Ambaji, a place about less than an hour from Abu Road Station. It boasts of a breath-taking, temple of the Goddess Durga and a ropeway to a hill-top shrine named Gabbar, which has an earthen lamp, burning eternally. The main road is a shopper's delight, especially for the ladies. Garments, accessories, artefacts, etc. catch one's fancy here. The 'Ambika dharamshala' attached to the temple complex is very reasonable, with rates starting from Rs. 200/- onwards. Delicious, unlimited meals can be had at the 'Ambika bhojanalay', at a 'peanuts' price' of Rs. 10/- No, I'm not joking. It's just too good to be true. 

     This unique experience was peaceful and divine. We were filled with contentment. Our Rajasthan trip had been nicely rounded off by our unscheduled visit to this holy place of pilgrimage. Yes, all the Gods had blessed us and ushered us safely, throughout our journey. I am sure that I'll definitely visit Ambaji again, in the near future.

                                 CONCLUDED
**********************************************

                                        

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

This travelogue had been published in the Spice Edition of Sakaal Times, dated 1st June, 2014.

Mount Abu - In Seventh Heaven! (Part 1)

 

Twilight delight!

We had looked forward to visiting Mount Abu for its famed Dilwara Temples and scenic beauty, since a decade. Just being there gave us a high. Reaching the highest point in Mt. Abu, Guru Shikhar, with a beautiful Lord Dattatreya's temple, perched on a majestic huge rock, took us straightaway to seventh heaven! So this was heavenly bliss! We could feel the Divine aura envelop us in its cozy warmth. 

We purchased beautiful, dirt-cheap, framed prints of exquisite Rajasthani, miniature paintings as mementoes of our visit. We bought a set of 8 paintings titled, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa, after each note of the classical music, which were (according to the enthusiastic salesman), to be hung on the wall, in that particular sequence only, shaped like the high and low keys of the harmonium!

Our hearts were already singing in unison! A snap clicked by our affable, smart, tourist guide, is treasured by us. It shows us in ethnic splendor, a Rajasthani ensemble complete with baubles and other accessories like the odhni and turban. Hubby and I resemble a local Rajasthani couple, in all that traditional finery.

But one has to be really fit to see Mount Abu as most of the places in our itinerary were located atop high hills, where one has to trek up and down hundreds of steep steps. Phew! As all of us managed to see all those places, our energetic guide declared that all of us were used to eating desi ghee, and were hence as fit as a fiddle! His certificate bolstered even the faint-hearted amongst us, like a fragile newly- wed bride and her over-solicitous husband!

Guru Shikhar - The highest point in Mt. Abu

Mount Abu is a small place which offers a variety of places for sight-seeing. All the 'points' can be seen in a day. The people are friendly. The climate was just right, as we went there in the second week of February. It was chilly in the nights and morning and warm in the day-time.

The Nakki lake was bewitching with all its twinkling lights at night. A restaurant shaped like a motor launch, at the edge of that vast lake, added zing to the experience.

To be continued....

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

This travelogue had been published in the Spice Edition of Sakaal Times, dated 1st June, 2014.