Every Friday, in my previous school, a teacher addressed the assembly on the value of the fortnight. I was asked to give my ‘Teacher Talk’, on the above topic. I chanced to come across what I had shared in the assembly that day, two years back and share it here today.

A very good morning to everyone present on and off the dais.

We all know that the value for the fortnight is “Inventiveness – newness upgraded”. Now, what does it actually mean? Inventiveness means creativity and newness is the quality of being original. So, simply put it means to be creative, and original.
Today, I won’t tell you a story or a poem rather I’ll share my own experience with you. This happened with me when I was a student of class VI. Our English teacher asked us to write a Limerick. I wrote one and got a remark saying, “Good!” Delighted I started putting words together to make poems but they were all very poor attempts and I would cringe on comparing them with the work of those I read in my textbooks. So, I started collecting other people’s poetry, thinking that I was not creative enough.
And then we had a new English teacher. He would give us a variety of writing exercises and one day wrote, ” Good! You have a flair for writing.” in my notebook. I was surprised and confided that I couldn’t write good poems. He looked at me and said, “Shruti! Be yourself. Don’t worry about your poetry not being quite up to your expectation. You are creative and really write good prose.” I took the advice seriously and overtime developed my own style and got better at writing. In short, I became creative.
Children, creativity is being able to express yourself in any form. It can be art, poetry, writing, music, dance, drama, craftsmanship, anything. If there’s a way you can express yourselves, make full use of it and be original. Sure, imitating or copying is fast and easy, but originality comes from the deepest depths of your heart. It is the real you. Don’t be shy. Take criticism and suggestions in good faith, and don’t get too high on the horses with praise. Learn, and constantly keep honing your skills, and one day, you will leave an indelible mark on the world, with your special style.
I would like to end my talk with this quote from Actress Emma Stone:
“What sets you apart can sometimes feel like a burden but it is not. And a lot of the time, it’s what makes you great.”
So, be creative, be original and be unique.

Thank you.