Indian writing contest ponders post-virus world

THE Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) have organised a global essay writing competition, inviting applicants to write about “India and the World after Covid-19”.

Adarsh Kumar Mishra, the second secretary of the Embassy of India in Phnom Penh, told The Post on Tuesday that the competition is open to Indians, Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs).

Mi s h r a s a id : “T he y a r e ex pected to write about t he impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and how the world has changed. They can a lso write about where India f its in t he world and what its role could be in shaping the post-Covid world order.

“FICCI is one of the sponsors of this competition and this is also being organised as a runup to FICCI’s participation in the World Expo in Dubai later this year.”

The last day to submit entries is July 15.

An Indian embassy press release said the competition is open to Indians, PIOs, OCIs and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) but not foreigners. University students and professionals aged 21 or older were encouraged to take part.

Prizes include a three-day, all-expenses-paid trip to India Pavilion and the World Expo in Dubai, a gala reception at the India Pavilion for the winners and a panel discussion with the winners moderated by a media personality, it said.

The competition’s guidelines state: “Covid-19 has definitely changed our world forever. But where is the new world headed? How has Covid-19 changed the way we live and work?

“What will be India’s place in the emerging post-pandemic World? How can India make itself stronger and script a bigger role to play in the international community?”

The press release said the essay may be written in English and should not be more than 3,000 words long. Essays can be submitted to kv.vidya@ ficci.com.

The subject of the submission e-mail should read: Entry to “India and the World after Covid-19”.

Further details are available on the FICCI website: http://ficci. in/events-page.asp?evid=24894

Established in 1927, FICCI is the largest and oldest apex business organisation in India. Its history is closely interwoven with India’s struggle for independence, its industrialisation, and emergence as one of the most rapidly growing global economies.