The Heartfulness Institute announces the winners of its Essay Competition to inspire value-based thinking in students

February 2021: The Heartfulness Education Trust announced the winners of its 28th edition of the “Heartfulness Essay Event’ launched in September 2020. Through a virtual event on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, 40 national winners and around 280 state winners were announced by Mr. Kamlesh Patel (Daaji), Guide of Heartfulness along with Upasana Kamineni, Vice-Chairperson Apollo Hospitals,, Pullela Gopichand, Chief National Badminton Coach, Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, Abhinav Bindra, Founder and CEO, Abhinav Futuristics Private Limited, and Former Olympian; and Manasi Joshi Indian para-badminton player, the current World Champion and a changemaker. The leaders inspired the students by sharing their real-life stories at the ceremony.

Each year the Heartfulness Education Trust, part of Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM) in collaboration with the UNIC – United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan, hosts the event to inspire youth to inculcate value-based learning as part of their life. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the continuity of the essay event was preserved by the participation of more than 30,000 students from approximately 5,000 institutions across the country to write on ‘Thought pollution – root cause of all ills’ and ‘Poverty is not just a lack of money’ in English and ten regional languages.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kamlesh Patel (Daaji), Guide of Heartfulness said, “We live in an environment that is overloaded with information. We have lost the art of contemplation, reflection and discussion that has tremendously impacted the psyche of our younger generation. The essay event is an enabler to instil these virtues in the youth of today, to motivate them to lead a life based on values. Heartfulness is preserving traditional, sustainable and effective learning methods, to fuel young minds with wisdom so that they can shape better communities tomorrow.”

Ms. Upasana Kamineni, Founder URLife.co.in, and Vice-Chairperson CSR, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “It is inspiring to see the continued interest and commitment by young minds and academic institutes to be part of this 28-year-old movement that encourages value-based way of life. Reflection and contemplation are crucial facets not just for a better society but also for one’s well-being. I congratulate each one of you and wish you all the best.”

Mr. Abhinav Bindra, Founder and CEO, Abhinav Futuristics Private Limited, and Former Olympian said, “Initiatives that sharpen the minds of young minds is the need of the hour. It is imperative for us to create better opportunities for our youth to shine in all fields. The competition is one such platform where millions of students are getting an opportunity to showcase their talent.”

“The foundation for excellence whether in sport or in life is always built on the values. We have been able to create several world class badminton players at the academy because of stringent focus on disciplining the mind and the body. Youngsters of today need the guidance on how to bring about this discipline in their thinking process to strive towards their goals”, said Mr. Pullela Gopichand, Chief National Badminton Coach, Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy.

Manasi Joshi, Indian Para-Badminton Player said, “challenges in life can be overcome when we are able to connect to the strength within. The early years of our life play a very vital part in how we maximise our inherent potential. Being able to connect to the strength requires constant introspection and this ability needs to be shaped as early as possible. I am glad that the Heartfulness Institute is doing its bit to create that inspiration for millions of youths across the country in the form of this ongoing event.”

The annual ‘Heartfulness Essay Event’ is a unique competition. It was initiated in 1992 with a vision to introduce value-based thinking through reflection, discussion, and contemplation, for shaping young minds and the leaders of tomorrow. The contest allows ample time for the participants to delve into the topic by discussing it with their peers, teachers, and others. Participants attempt to contemplate and reflect on the topic to shape the essay from their personal experience.