Following a tremendous response to its international writing competition Inspired by Gandhi, Sampad has launched a new book containing winning entries from across the globe 9 aspiring writers from Birmingham and the Midlands have entries published.
The anthology also features poems by Year 4 and 5 pupils from Chad Vale Primary and Billesley Primary Schools in Birmingham and Aldermoor Farm Primary School in Coventry.
Birmingham-based organisation Sampad Arts has launched the third anthology in its hugely popular creative writing series ‘Inspired By…’ containing the winning entries from their international writing competition Inspired by Gandhi.
The competition invited budding writers from anywhere in the world, from the age of 8 upwards, to reflect on the life, philosophy and vision of Mahatma Gandhi. Hundreds of people from more than 35 countries across the globe – including the UK, India, Australia, Grenada, the Philippines, Botswana, Nigeria and the USA – were moved to share their personal reactions to the great leader, through poems, short stories or reportage.
The book was formally launched at Birmingham Literature Festival as part of a special event at the Library of Birmingham that included readings of some of the winning entries. Writers from Birmingham and the Midlands who had entries selected for publication were presented with their personal copies of the anthology by Sampad Director, Piali Ray OBE and Mr J.K Sharma, Consul General of India.
They included Jamie John, aged 13, from Harborne, who was announced as the overall winner of the age 8-15 category of the competition, with his entry ‘Salt March’
Jamie says: “I’m honoured to have my entry published in this anthology! I relished the opportunity to write about Mahatma Gandhi, an individual who I deeply respect and admire. His actions have inspired me on numerous occasions and it was fulfilling to pay respect to his great achievements. I’d like to thank Sampad and also Gitanjali Young Creative Writers Circle for encouraging me to pursue my interest in poetry.”
Piali Ray OBE, Director of Sampad adds: “We were really touched by powerful words of budding writers who sent entries in from across the globe. As well as writing about their personal reactions to this towering public figure, many of them seized the opportunity to connect with Gandhi’s legacy by expressing their belief in humanity and yearning for peace”.
