Date:29/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/29/stories/2006102913770200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Essay contest for students

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: Winners of the fifth edition of the essay contest conducted by Sri Ramakrishna Vijayam, the 86-year-old Tamil monthly from the Sri Ramakrishna Math, will receive prizes worth Rs.1.2 lakh. There will also be 15 merit scholarships, 1,000 encouragement prizes and 5,000 merit certificates up for grabs.

As part of its annual National Youth Day competition, the Ramakrishna Math has invited students to write essays in Tamil and English. The contest is open to students in Standard VI and above. The objective is to inculcate qualities such as fearlessness, personality development, service to humanity, and patriotism.

Participants will be divided into three groups — section 1: class VI to VIII, section 2: class IX to XI, and section 3: class XII and college students. Each section will write on a specific topic under the theme `Be proud and do proud'. Essays should reach the Math's office by November 2. There is no entry fee.

Brochures detailing the contest have been sent to the schools. Forms may be obtained from the school management or the Math. Last year, 70,000 students participated in the contest.