Kolkata, Oct. 4 -- Lok Bhavan, West Bengal, will organise its first state-level essay competition for school, college and university students, with the 1946 Calcutta Massacre and Direct Action Day by the All India Muslim League as the two topics.
The competition will have separate categories for classes X to XII and college/university students. Entries will be accepted in English and Bangla, with prizes awarded separately for each language.
The school topic is "Calcutta Massacre, 1946 - Causes and Consequences", while college and university students will write on "Direct Action Day by All India Muslim League - A Fatal Assault on Civilisational Bharat". The word limits are 3,000-4,000 and 5,000-6,000 words respectively.
Students enrolled in educational institutions in West Bengal can participate, with one entry allowed per participant.
The last date for submission is November 15.
The top three school entries will receive Rs 50,000, Rs 35,000 and Rs 25,000, while the college/university prizes are Rs 1 lakh, Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000. Prizes will be awarded separately for English and Bangla entries.
Essays must be submitted as signed hard copies by post or courier to the Lok Bhavan.
Participants must also submit a signed self-declaration confirming that the essay is original, independently written, that sources, quotations and references have been acknowledged, and that no AI-generated content or generative AI tools have been used.
Entries will be assessed on research, factual accuracy, originality, analytical depth, coherence and quality of expression. Plagiarism, unauthorised reproduction and use of AI-generated content may lead to disqualification.
The winners will be felicitated on January 26, 2027, during the At Home Reception at Lok Bhavan.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.