"Did you really..?"
Last week, my son came back from school with gift in his hand, a letter of appreciation for his mom, and a big happy smile on his face. Both he and his sister were very excited.
“Mummy, Gift for you” they yelled, when I opened the door.
“You know Mama, your name was said in the assembly today. And the principal said that her son will collect the gift on her behalf. I went and collected it and everyone clapped.” He went on excitedly.
I did not expect it at all. I was pleasantly surprised.
Orbit is a magazine published by Takshila Education society which runs 3 schools. An article I wrote was chosen and was published in the latest issue of Orbit. The Pro-Vice chairman had written a letter of appreciation for the article and for my writing style.
I had written an article called “Life skills v/s Academic skills”. In the article that I wrote, I had quoted the Pink Floyd song “We don’t need no education”. Funnily they have changed it to “We don’t need any education” (How can you change a famous song like that! Maybe they thought I had made a grammatical mistake—or maybe they hadn’t heard of the song!)
Later, the other mothers, whose children go to the same school, called me up to congratulate me.(They knew all about it as their kids had told them, since it was given in the school assembly)
I found it strange that some asked me if I really wrote the article! The conversation went something like this.
Caller: “Congrats. My son/daughter told me”
Me: “Hey---Thanks. I appreciate your calling”
Caller: “Did you really write it?”
Me (smiling): Of course I did.
Caller: Every word?
Me (smiling wider): “Every single word”
Caller: “Tu tho writer hai, yaar” (Hindi for “you are a writer. ‘Yaar’ is term used commonly for friend)
Me: Thank you!
I wouldn’t even dream of copying from elsewhere and passing it off as my own. I am too proud and too honest for that!
It was a nice gesture of the part of the school authorities to acknowledge it publicly.
And I felt happy, that what I had to say was considered worthy of publication.
My published article.
“Mummy, Gift for you” they yelled, when I opened the door.
“You know Mama, your name was said in the assembly today. And the principal said that her son will collect the gift on her behalf. I went and collected it and everyone clapped.” He went on excitedly.
I did not expect it at all. I was pleasantly surprised.
Orbit is a magazine published by Takshila Education society which runs 3 schools. An article I wrote was chosen and was published in the latest issue of Orbit. The Pro-Vice chairman had written a letter of appreciation for the article and for my writing style.
I had written an article called “Life skills v/s Academic skills”. In the article that I wrote, I had quoted the Pink Floyd song “We don’t need no education”. Funnily they have changed it to “We don’t need any education” (How can you change a famous song like that! Maybe they thought I had made a grammatical mistake—or maybe they hadn’t heard of the song!)
Later, the other mothers, whose children go to the same school, called me up to congratulate me.(They knew all about it as their kids had told them, since it was given in the school assembly)
I found it strange that some asked me if I really wrote the article! The conversation went something like this.
Caller: “Congrats. My son/daughter told me”
Me: “Hey---Thanks. I appreciate your calling”
Caller: “Did you really write it?”
Me (smiling): Of course I did.
Caller: Every word?
Me (smiling wider): “Every single word”
Caller: “Tu tho writer hai, yaar” (Hindi for “you are a writer. ‘Yaar’ is term used commonly for friend)
Me: Thank you!
I wouldn’t even dream of copying from elsewhere and passing it off as my own. I am too proud and too honest for that!
It was a nice gesture of the part of the school authorities to acknowledge it publicly.
And I felt happy, that what I had to say was considered worthy of publication.
My published article.
Soooo.. did you reaaaaaaaaaalllyyy write it?? :P
ReplyDeleteP.S: Clicking on the pic does nothing :(
J: yessssssss..I did reaaaaaaaaaaally write it :-) I dont know why it is not enlarging.The first photo does, when you click on it.
ReplyDeleteShall click another pic and upload soon.
Oh, congratulations! I really hate it when people doubt my honesty and integrity. I get maaaad!
ReplyDeleteBut tell me, is the article appropriate for children or for the parents? I'm figuring it was directed to the parents, but it's funny that it was mentioned to the children.
Your kids must be really proud of you :)
Congrats!!!
ReplyDeleteIts really irritating when people ask qns like 'did u relly write it' i wonder how u managed to be so calm n composed and u actually said "of course i did".
The school authorities need to be mentioned too coz not today people really fall short of words when it comes to appreciating other people.
Cheers. and Happy writing!
Good going! Nice! Enjoy the moment, and that was some interesting topic to write on. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope it enlarges enough so I can read the whole thing!
ReplyDeletewell done :)
ReplyDeletemust have been good.. considering the fact they still published it with you quoting "the" song
thats just excellent PS congratts!
ReplyDeleteAnd I wouldnt doubt ur writing cos do write well. But I cant seem to enlarge that article :(
Keshi.
Hi ps,
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow writer and a parent myself (I have two daughters aged 11 and 4) I can relate to the excitement. Originality only sells: I too believe in the proverbial adage.
Congtatulations!
Devil Mood: Thanks! Yes--it was an article for parents and children in the older age group.It was published in the section "parenting podium".The kids in the assembly were merely told that an article was published.They weren't told what it was about.
ReplyDeleteAkanksha:Thanks! No I just found it amusing, because most of them do not know that i write or even have a blog.So, for them it must have been a surprise--who knows!
Rads:Yes ,it was an interesting topic--thanks!
Sue:Will upload and send you a link soon.
Ankit: How can you murder the Pink floyd song by changing the very words!!(I love that song) I found that unpardonable!!
Keshi:Thanks!Hope to upload it
soon.
Kulpreet: I abhor copying.In my thinking workshops, that is what I try to bring out--originality and creativity. And children are really creative.Sadly most educational systems kill it, dont you think?
And thanks!
Congrats akii...feel proud to be ur friend...can u post the article so that we can read it?
ReplyDeleteAwesomeeee.... great news this and i hate it when people ask "Did you really do this or that" it is sort of a suspicion on whether we really deserved the award.
ReplyDeleteOh wait a minute did I say "WE". Means I also should feel good about this award is'nt it [:D]
In a whole nice spirit, congratulations P.
Congrats P, upload the article again, would love to read it :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice Preeti! Clicking on the image does nothing! :( If you can, can you please send it to my email address - vidyarc@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThings like this interest and intrigue me a lot! I guess I am not patient enough to wait for you to upload!
Interestingly, let me tell you this story:
I was working remotely last week from my home in Texas. My client currently is in Virginia, which is on the East Coast. I had informed everybody about this arrangement. Apparently, a senior executive at VA did not know about this arrangement. He checked with my colleagues to see if I had reported to anybody about my arrangement. And in everybody's presence, checked with the team lead too. " Did Vidya really tell you that she would be working remotely".
I was aghast when word got around to me. What do you do?! :D
Praveen: So sweet of you! i feel honoured too.
ReplyDeleteVik:thanks! WE are indeed happy :-)
Misti: Will put it up on the blog
Vidya:Thanks!That must have been awful--to be suspected like that! Will publish the printed article or will mail you. it is on the desk top downstairs, and have to transfer it to my laptop.
I hope i grow up to be a blogmama too...i picture myself writing abt the lil crazy things my kids will do n stuff...very nice blog..i'm gonna pay more visits!!!
ReplyDeletecongyyyy ;P
ReplyDeleten i can sense how much being accused of plagiarism pains!!!
hey thats gr8!! congrts!! n ya cudn't read the article :(
ReplyDeleteSoul of dawn:Thank you!! Am coming over in a while :-)I liked the name you chose--"soul of dawn"
ReplyDeleteThe lass: Thanks! But honestly I wasnt pained at all--merely amused.Because none of the moms who called know that I blog nor do they use the net.So they are forgiven. :-)
Interesting. :) Congratulations!:D
ReplyDeleteDiya:I know--tried clicking and uploading again.It is not enlarging. Dont know why.Will post the whole article soon.
ReplyDeleteDon't. Make. Me. jealous.
ReplyDeleteYou. Wont. Like. Me. When. I'm. JEALOUS..................
:) Way to go girl
This is brilliant...sadly the picture of the article won't enlarge..can you send me a copy?
ReplyDeleteYeah, Congrats Preeti, another feather in ur cap... my comment's toooo late, but better late than never. Its amazing getting to know you like this. Every post is just so revealing and heart-touching !!
ReplyDeleteWell, even I agree with you !! Cannot copy somebody's work & pass it as my own. Its completely dishonest and hey, we need to face ourselves, right? Cant do it being dishonest. :-)