The Indian Council for Cultural Relations organizes the Maulana Azad International Essay Competition every year in English, Hindi, Urdu and Arabic languages. The competition in all the said four languages is open to bonafide students of Universities and Research Institutions located in Asia. For the Maulana Azad International Essay Competition 2005, the Council invites essays in any one of the four languages on the topic noted below:-

Topic of the essay for all languages:
Role of Culture in Building Bridges Across Borders

Prizes in each language:

• First Prize: Rs. 25,000/-
• Second Prize: Rs. 20,000/-
• Third Prize: Rs. 15,000/-

The essays should be neatly typed in double space or written in calligraphy (for Urdu and Arabic). The participants must submit one original and three copies of their essays. Each page should be clearly numbered. The length of the essay should be 5000 (Five Thousand) words and the essay must be accompanied by an abstract summary of 500 (Five Hundred words).

Eligibility: The participant should be a bonafide student of University/Research institutions located in Asia only. A certificate to this effect obtained from the University/Institution and a passport size photograph should invariably be enclosed with the entries.

The age of the participants should not be more than 30 years as on 31.03.2006.

Any participant who resorts to plagiarism shall be disqualified. A participant can submit only one essay in any one of the four languages. The essay may be sent through registered post/courier or hand delivered to the under-noted address. The topic of the essay should be superscribed boldly on envelope so as to reach ICCR by 31st July, 2006. Essays received after the last date will not be accepted.

For any further queries and details, contact Award Section, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Azad Bhavan, Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi-110002. Tel : 91-11-23370229, 233793210-14(PBX).