The Center for the Study of Indian Diaspora, School of Social Sciences, University of Hyderabad (UoH) organized a talk by Dr. Pratap Reddy, a writer by profession and author of the book titled ‘Weather Permitting & Other Stories’ threw light on the topic “Finding One’s Feet in an Alien Land: A Writer’s Experience” on August 23, 2017 at the School of Social Sciences.
Speaking to an audience which included faculty and students, Dr. Reddy discussed about his initial days of planting roots in Canada with a dream to become a writer, his experience for the first time as a published writer and his book ‘Weather Permitting & Other Stories’. He also acknowledged the role Diaspora Dialogues Charitable Society, a group based in Canada which supports budding writers and artists, played in his initial days of writing journey.
A recipient of the ‘Best Emerging Literary Artist’ award from the Mississauga Arts Council, Dr. Reddy while talking about his book said that ‘Weather Permitting & Other Stories’ includes accounts of problems faced by new immigrants in a foreign land and how they survive it. The book reflects upon the changes that immigrants and their families embrace on alien soil in context to Canada. Further he added, “Though the plot and characters in the book are fictional and developed by him the background indeed is authentic.”
An alumnus of Humber School of Writers and Ryerson University, He discussed at length nitty-gritty in daily life of an immigrant such as experiencing the Canadian winter for first time as an immigrant, finding a job in another country and unexpected challenges of cultural shock, with the help of characters developed by him in his book.
Touching upon the philosophical aspects of writing he said, “What you lose in the swings, you gain in the round about.”
Concluding with his advice to young writers, he opined, “Just write. Don’t be your own critic. Allow the people reading your work to critique you, so that you can improvise your writing.”
The talk ended with tea and interaction amongst those present.
-by Monika Tiwari and Swati Pant, Department of Communication