Thanuja Kumaran, a talented Form 1 student from SMK (P) Methodist in Klang, has achieved remarkable success by winning a Gold award in The prestigious Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024. The competition was held from March 15 to May 15, 2024.
Thanuja is also a former student of SJKT Ladang Highlands, Klang, a Tamil primary school. Her most notable achievement is winning the Tuanku Bainun Young Changemakers Award in 2021 for her Digital Hope Project, which aimed to assist underprivileged school children in obtaining digital devices during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has actively participated in numerous local and international innovation competitions, earning multiple awards. Her most recent accomplishment is winning a Gold Award at the Johor International Innovation and Invention Competition 2024.
The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is recognized as the world’s oldest international writing competition. In 2024, it commemorates 75 years of the Commonwealth. With thousands of young individuals participating annually, this competition serves as a significant platform to acknowledge achievements, amplify youth voices, and foster essential skills through creative writing.
In the last decade alone, this prestigious competition has engaged over 200,000 young people, more than 5,000 schools, and numerous volunteer judges throughout the Commonwealth. The competition is open to students aged 14 to 18 in the Senior Category and to those under 14 in the Junior Category. Thanuja participated in the Junior Category.
Each year, the competition’s theme is inspired by the values and principles of the Commonwealth. It invites young participants to explore pressing contemporary issues, including environmental concerns, equality, and youth leadership, thereby promoting an open-minded and empathetic perspective on the world. For 2024, the theme of the competition is “Our Common Wealth.”
Thanuja’s essay, titled “Chai with Ammama,” reflects the valuable lessons she and her grandmother (ammama) imparted to one another regarding resilience, hope, and the significance of education and lifelong learning.
Notably, Thanuja has participated in the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition for three consecutive years. This marks her third time entering the competition. In the previous two years, she received certificates of participation. However, this year, her hard work and perseverance paid off as she excelled and won a Gold Award.
The competition was highly competitive, with an impressive total of 34,939 entries submitted from writers around the Commonwealth. Thanuja’s essay, titled “Chai with Ammama,” comprised 755 words and showcased her talent and depth of insight, particularly in engaging with the themes and values championed by the competition.
When asked what inspired her to participate in this competition for the past three years, Thanuja stated, “My passion for reading and writing, along with the encouragement from my family members, has been a significant motivation. Additionally, reading the captivating entries of previous top winners featured on the Royal Commonwealth Society’s website inspired me to keep trying and improving my writing skills.”
The top two winners(winner and runner-up) from each category in this competition will be awarded with a trip to London for a week of educational and cultural events, culminating in a special Awards Ceremony at a royal palace. This year’s top winners for the senior and junior category were Malaysians. Click HERE to view the winners. A number of selected entrants will receive Gold Finalist Award, Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards for excellence in writing. Among that, Thanuja received Gold Award for the junior category.
Thanuja’s mother expressed her pride and happiness regarding her daughter’s achievement, stating, “I am very proud and delighted to see Thanuja’s success. She did not give up, and her persistence in continuing to improve her writing skills has been rewarded. Winning the Gold Award has further motivated her to continue writing and to submit her work in the senior category next year.”
Thanuja’s exceptional achievement in winning the Gold Award at the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 is a reflection of her dedication, talent, and resilience. This accomplishment not only highlights her individual capabilities but also underscores the importance of nurturing young talent in promoting diverse perspectives within the literary landscape. As Thanuja embarks on this next chapter of her writing journey, the future looks bright for this promising young author.
All the images and information are provided by Thanuja’s mother.
