annual essay prize for UK students
Maharani
Jind Kaur
student award
a joint project between naujawani and the Sikh Education Council for undergraduate students in the United Kingdom
Deadline: 30 September, 2024
“HOW DOES A SUB-STATE NATION FIT INTO A TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY WORLD GOVERNED BY DEMOCRATIC MEANS?”
The Maharani Jind Kaur student award is a joint project between naujawani and the Sikh Education Council with the aim of encouraging undergraduate students to reflect upon current affairs from a Sikh perspective. Entrants are invited to write an essay on a set topical issue, basing their argument on principles derived from Sikh history, culture and ideology.
The award is named in honour of the most recent queen of undivided Punjab, Maharani Jind Kaur, whose vision and resolute commitment to the inalienable sovereignty of the Panth is a standard which every Sikh should aim to emulate.
Submission process
Entrants must provide their essay and a covering letter by email no later than the deadline date given in each respective year. Due consideration should be given to the award guidelines before submission.
Read the award guidelines
Write your essay and covering letter
Submit by the deadline
Criteria to ENTER
Entrants can be of any age or background but must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree programme at a higher education institution in the United Kingdom for the entirety of the respective academic calendar year.
Judging
Essays will be considered for the award by a three-person team comprising the editor of naujawani, the Chairperson of the Sikh Education Council, and one further individual invited to adjudicate as a guest each year. Comprehensive criteria on the judging scheme can be found in the award guidelines.
Award AND PRIZES
The recipient of the award will receive prize money of £2000, with a first runner-up receiving £500. Additional prize money totaling £500 will be available to the judging team to distribute as they see fit to entrants whose submission showed exceptional promise or merit.
FOLLOW-UP OPPORTUNITIES
All essays will be published in print by naujawani in an annual magazine with appropriate attribution. The successful recipient of the award, as well as the runner up and any other prize money winners will be expected to participate in an awards event and associated publicity relating to the award. Furthermore, all applicants will be encouraged to continue to write on current affairs from a Sikh perspective for which they will be given support by the editorial team at naujawani. Applicants will also be invited to volunteer for the Sikh Education Council as researchers, contributors, or in any other capacity they see fit.
Learn about the Sikh Education Council
