KUALA LUMPUR: In conjunction with Merdeka Day this year, the Rotary and Rotaract Malaysia District 3300 recently launched an essay writing competition entitled "The Rotary 4-Way Test: Tools for World Peace & Understanding", as well as the People of Action Video & Poster Competition.
At the launch, District Governor (DG) Datuk Bindi Rajasegaran delivered her speech in Bahasa Malaysia, complete with an original pantun, much to the delight of those in attendance.
A special song was also debuted at the launch, entitled, "People of Action", composed by Tong De Fang, a Rotaractor, with lyrics by Rotarians Joel Tan and Patricia Lim from HOM Music Sdn Bhd, which is the publisher, with the music video for the song is on YouTube at https://youtu.be/2OCabId6zbk5.
The Essay Writing Competition is open to youths based in the country (foreign students included) between the ages of 15 and 25, with scholarships worth RM250,000 and cash prizes of up to RM3,000 up for grabs.
District Rotaract chair Neeraj Chhabra expressed his gratitude on behalf of Rotary International for the support, invaluable contributions and sponsorships provided by a few companies and entities from the private sector.
"We are very grateful to all the sponsors, namely Help International School, Rotary Clubs of Sri Petaling, Penang, KLCC & Klang Sentral, YesBoss Sdn Bhd and Max Solution (M) Sdn Bhd for coming forward to support such a noble cause.
"The idea behind this essay writing competition is to provide youths with a platform to showcase their writing, thinking and analytical skills so that they can earn scholarships in order to further their education," said Neeraj.
Bindi echoed Neeraj's sentiments, noting that such a competition would provide participants with not just welcome exposure but an invaluable experience that will serve them very well in the future.
"This competition will provide youths with a better understanding of the importance of world peace, while incorporating the Rotary's '4-Way Test', the guiding principles that Rotarians use for their personal and professional relationships.
"The youths of today are future leaders, and it is important for us to nurture them from young to be the best they can be. Rotary International recognises that enhancing basic education skills and literacy are essential in addressing and reducing poverty, improving health, encouraging community and economic development, while promoting peace," she said.
District Rotaract representative Joshua Tang highlighted that the competition would also allow youths to well use their time especially during the current period where education has been carried out online because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"For the youths who step up and take part, it will serve as an avenue for them to be gainfully occupied during such tough and trying times with the added incentives of cash and scholarship prizes that could fund the furthering of their education.
"This may also help to ensure that their education would not be curtailed as if they succeed in the competition, it would lighten the financial burden on their parents who may face a financial difficulty brought on by the pandemic," he opined.
The competition is open for submission until the 30th of this month (October), and all the requirements and other details can be obtained at http://youth.rotary3300.org/.
Tang added they are still looking for sponsors and scholarships so that they can offer more aid and help to a larger group of youths and any potential sponsors be it corporate entities or private institutions are welcome to get in touch by emailing him at drrjoshua.d3300@gmail.com.