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Results 1998 |
Contest Report 98
Results 1999
| Contest Report 99
A Report on
The Fountainhead Essay Contest 1998
for High School StudentsIn India
Introduction
Objectives
The Plan
The Response
The Fountianhead Essay Contest 1999
The Budget
Support for the Contest
Introduction:
Over the past five decades, Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead
has become a modern classic. Not only has it retained its popularity, it
is perhaps one of the most intellectually stimulating books that inevitably
leaves it mark on the reader.
Therefore, the idea of conducting an essay contest
as a way of introducing this powerful book to students in India had been
with us for quite some time. Such a contest has been successfully organised
by the Ayn Rand Institute in North America for well over a decade now.
Finally, we decided to go ahead and organise such a contest for high school
students in 1998.
The response to this first essay contest has been
very encouraging. With this experience, we now plan to conduct a wider
contest with the aim of targeting about 1000 schools all over the country
in 1999.
An overview of the 1998 contest follows.
Objectives:
-
To introduce a modern classic to students;
-
To provide incentives to study the ideas of Ayn Rand, one of the most powerful
writers of this century;
-
To inculcate the virtue of independence and inquiry;
-
To identify students who are interested in the ideas of freedom;
-
To identify teachers and schools interested in promoting similar activities.
The Plan:
There had been some sporadic attempts to organise similar
contests in the past. So we worked out a pilot plan for this maiden attempt,
with the support of Mr.Vikram Bajaj. The contest, therefore, was restricted
to a select number of schools, so as to try out the concept within a limited
budget.
We concentrated only on about 150 schools, with
about half of them being in Delhi. High school students mainly from English
medium schools were targeted. With the aim of encouraging greater participation,
it was decided to give as many prizes as possible. The first
prize was Rs 5000/- and the total prizes came to about Rs 20,000/-.
Three schools with the highest number of participants were also recognised,
and given sets of Ayn Rand's books.
To give the students maximum time to enable them
find and read the book we announced the contest before the summer vacations
in May. In view of the possibility that students might not easily find
a copy The Fountainhead available to students, we decided
to make it available to school libraries at lowest possible price if requested.
To further help the teachers encourage their students
to participate, we also made available on demand copies of The Teacher's
Guide to The Fountainhead, by Andrew Bernstein.
Regular mailers were sent to the schools over a six-month period. Volunteers
visited select schools in some cities to promote the contest and gauge
the response of teachers and students. The feedback of the volunteers
was quite positive. It helped in identifying teachers and schools that
were particularly keen to encourage their students.
The Response:
We received about 30 entries from students of 16 schools, spread over 8
cities. The quality of essays submitted was generally of a very good standard.
The first prize was won by Ms. Ishani Majumdar,
a student of class XI at the Springdales School, Pusa Road, New Delhi.
Her topic was “the theme of The Fountainhead.” To acknowledge the quality
of essays, and encourage the participants we extended three consolation
prizes. The complete list of winners in 1998
is available at our web site.
The Fountainhead Essay Contest 1999:
With that experience, we have planned a wider contest this year, and
will be covering around 1000 schools all over India. We hope to build on
the network of volunteers and teachers to help us promote the essay contest.
Attempt is being made to intorduce the contest to schools that are connected
to the internet as well. The topics for the 1999
contest has been announced.
The Budget:
Following is the approximate breakup of expenditure for conducting the
essay contest in 1999.
Prizes
Rs 20,000
Postage
Rs 8,000
Printing
Rs 10,000
Stationary Rs
3,000
Administration Rs
5,000
-----------------------------------------
Total
Rs 45,000
Support for the Contest:
In 1998, this effort was supported by Liberty Institute and Mr.Vikram Bajaj.
We welcome all help in terms of money, time as volunteer, and suggestions
that will make the contest more effective. Donations to Liberty Institute
are exempt under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act. Join us in this fulfilling
endeavour.
Together we can help create a better tomorrow
Liberty Institute
96/10 Pushp Vihar I
New Delhi 110 017
Tel: 91-11-6512441 / 6528244 Fax: 91-11-6527868 / 6856992
E-mail: liberty@giasdl01.vsnl.net.in
Web page: www.angelfire.com/mi/libertyinstitute
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