Essay competition (Issue 19, 2009)
Inga Dunphy is handed her prize by Professor Weber and Mr Watts
The jury panel, formed by four academics from different Australian universities, decided on seven winners - one first prize, three second prizes and three third prizes.
On Tuesday, 6 October, La Trobe University hosted the essay prize ceremony in the David Myers Building, and while only four of the winners were able to attend, the atmosphere was emotional. The ceremony was opened with a beautiful traditional Indian musical piece, a raga, played by Radhika Kumar and Ramjee Poudel.
Mr Gambhir Watts, President of Bhavan Australia then introduced his organisation and Associate Professor Thomas Weber from the Politics and International Relations Program at La Trobe University followed him with a short speech on how the topic of the essay received such an impressive response from the students.
Ms Inca Dunphy from La Trobe University was the winner of the first prize, which was rewarded with a trip to Mumbai. Inca thanked the jury and described writing the essay as a ‘rewarding experience’.
‘I did not only learn about Gandhi and how his beliefs apply to today’s world, but I also learned about myself. I want to thank Professor Webber, his subject is transformative.’
Second prize winners were rewarded with a desktop computer valued at $900, and it was awarded to Hamish Ignatius Myers, Elspeth Kiddell and Michael Crowe, all from La Trobe University.
Third prize, Bhavan’s books on selected topics on Indian culture in value of $400 each, was awarded to Jane Hosking and Timothy Riddle from La Trobe University and Machado Oviedo Ana Ines from University of Western Sydney. A consolation prize went to Astha Singh from University of Sydney.
Entries for the 2010 National Essay Competition are open now and the organisation is hoping to get as much participant interest as they received for the 2009 Essay Competition.
