At an international essay competition jointly organized by Gandhi Study Circle America and e-Malayalee on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Ranjith Koliadukkam from Kasaragod, Kerala won the first place and Jyothi Lakshmi Nambiar from Mumbai, Dr. Thomas Mathew from Las Vegas won second place, while Dr. Sindhu Binu in Dammam, Saudi Arabia bagged the third position.
The essay competition was on “Drug Free Kerala: The Mission of Political Parties”. Focana General Secretary Sajimon Anthony and World Malayalee Council Philadelphia Province Chairman Jose Attupuram were the main sponsors.
The judging panel, which included well known journalist, Deepika’s Associate Editor and Delhi Bureau Chief George Kallivayal chaired the judging committee, Ginsmon Zachariah, Editor-in-Chief of Jaihind News and Publisher of The Asian Era Weekly and Akshar Magazine, Anita Panicker Kadambinthara, short story writer and vice president of Business Intelligence and Analytics, Nimmi Rose Das, choreographer, illustrator, nurse educator and nurse leader, Jose Thomas, Mathematician and Springford Area Senior High School teacher and editor-in-chief of various publications and motivational trainer commented that the other essays received for the competition were of a high standard. Winners will be presented with cash awards and letters of commendation.
Ranjith Koliyadukkam, a native of Kasaragod, won the first place. He completed his postgraduate degree in Malayalam from Kerala Central University. He is a research student at Kerala Central University. He has won the Malayala Manorama Chief Editor’s Trophy and the MP Paul Research Award.
Second place winner Jyothi Lakshmi Nambiar is a native of Thayyur village in Thrissur district. After graduation,s he lives in the city of Mumbai with his family and work. “My Village” in Malayalamanorama Weekly; The article columns “Ezhuthappuram” written in e-Malayali were notable. In 2019, she won the “Popular Writer” award from E Malayalee Global Media Publishing.
Second-place finisher Thomas Mathew lives in Las Vegas. He is also a member of the editorial team and columnist for The UNN English News Portal. He has also been the Executive Editor of Jaihind News, Associate Editor of Malayalee Magazine and Express Herald. Thomas Mathew is the author of ‘Love Poem in the Bible’ and ‘American Sheep’.
The third place winner Dr. Sindhu Binu is from Pala. She lives with his family in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. She has been a teacher at the Indian Embassy in Dammam for 14 years. Dammam has an active presence in the field of art, culture and politics.
