A young writer's dream comes true in a prestigious global contest! Achanta Lakshmi Manognya, a 14-year-old student at Crescent Girls' School, was jolted awake by her sister's thrilling news: she had won second prize in the renowned Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2025. This achievement is a testament to her talent and hard work, as the competition received a record-breaking 53,400 entries from 54 Commonwealth countries, a 53% surge from the previous year.
But here's where Manognya's journey takes an even more captivating turn. Her winning poem, 'India to Mauritius,' is a poignant tale of a young monkey's journey, reflecting the historical slave trade between India and Mauritius. And this is the part most people miss—the inspiration behind her unique perspective. Manognya drew from her parents' own migration story, imagining the monkey's resilience in a new land, mirroring the experiences of immigrants building a life in a foreign country.
The poem, a second draft written just a month before the deadline, deeply moved her mother, who related it to her own experience of leaving her mother. Even her father, typically stoic, was visibly emotional, expressing his pride and connecting it to Manognya's late uncle's move to Singapore.
Her teacher, Madam Chng Woei Ling, head of the English Language and Literature Department, was confident in Manognya's writing prowess and the impact of her essay. But the true victory, according to Madam Chng, is in the process of finding one's voice and expressing it to the world.
Manognya's success serves as a powerful reminder to aspiring writers: never underestimate the power of perseverance. She encourages her peers to believe in themselves, emphasizing that trying is the only way to succeed. And this raises a thought-provoking question: In a world that often celebrates instant gratification, how can we foster the resilience needed to embrace challenges and seize opportunities like Manognya did?
The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition, with its rich history dating back to 1883, continues to inspire young writers worldwide, offering a platform for their voices and a chance to connect with their Commonwealth peers. Manognya's win is not just a personal triumph but a celebration of the power of storytelling and its ability to bridge cultures and generations.
