Dhaka, June 28, 2018 — The World Bank today awarded the top 5 winners of ‘#ProsperBangladesh Essay Contest 2018’. The month-long online contest, which aimed at engaging the youth in a dialogue on female role models, received hundreds of submissions.
Qimiao Fan, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal handed over the certificates and prizes to the winners at an award-giving ceremony, held at the World Bank Dhaka Office. The contest took place through social media channels, and was open to all citizens and residents of Bangladesh. The #ProsperBangladesh Essay Contest called for participants to submit an essay responding to the question: ‘Who is the most inspiring woman in your life, and why?’
Ahmed Shamil from Dhaka received the first prize. He wrote about a female roller skater who inspired him to go to culinary school. Essay writers shared their experiences through creative ways on how a small business owner, their mother, or a teacher inspired them. Another essay was a candid discussion on the social tax placed on women in the workplace and other public spaces.
“We were all very impressed by the way the youth — both young men and women — think about female role models in their lives,” said Qimiao Fan. “What the youth think today plays an important role in shaping the country’s future. In this case, it shows an inclusive future where the youth are ready to break gender barriers.”
The winners were chosen by a four-member panel of judges comprising of three World Bank staff, and an external expert. The winning submissions were judged on creativity, clarity, as well as relevancy of the topic and question posed in the contest.
“Essay competitions are very popular in Bangladesh, but it was interesting to see how people could take a specific question on female role models and express themselves,” said Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha, Associate Professor, Economics, Dhaka University, and one of the four judges. “The best essays combined creativity, linguistic skills, and an element of surprise.”
The five winning essays are available here. The following are the winners:
First Prize: Ahmed Shamil, Dhaka
Second Prize: Md. Rokonul Islam, Joypurhat
Third Prize: Sakib Jamal, Dhaka/New York
Third Prize (Joint): Syeda Tahsina Hridita, Dhaka
Special Mention: Shamim Bin Shaheb, Jamalpur
Special Mention: Tahsan Mahmud, Dhaka
