A PROFESSOR has pounced to pick up the short story’s final prize of the third season of the monthly contest and the latest teen winner looks like being a hot contender for the annual accolade if the judges’ comments are anything to go by.
Dr Uneb Gazder, assistant professor at the University of Bahrain’s Department of Civil Engineering, penned the perfect piece called Grass is Always Greener on The Other Side
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clearly pointing out that people rarely appreciate what they have as they go chasing their dreams.
“The story was inspired by a bit of self-reflection which made me realise the blessings of Allah upon me and how oblivious I am to them,” admitted the 41-year-old father-of-two, from Tubli. “I want to urge the readers to always be grateful, and look at the positive sides of things. It will make your life better and attract more positivity towards you too.”
He was delighted to have won the B25 adult prize in the ever-popular www.GDNlife.com short story competition, adding: “I feel inspired to do more in the field of writing. Thanks for providing me with this opportunity. Your group is doing an excellent job of promoting small-scale writers like myself.”
More than 2,000 visitors to our social media platform have so far read his entry and judge Rohini Sunderam, from Bahrain Writers Circle, described the Pakistani expatriate’s literary offering as ‘a lesson in humanity and losing gracefully’. “It is also a sweet and engaging story,” she added.
The month’s U18 prize of a pair of CINECO cinema tickets went to 13-year-old Anaya Gosavi who penned a chilling, dark thriller called Children’s playground.
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The Bahrain Indian School pupil lives with her parents Vishal Gosavi and Sampada Purandare in Mahooz.
Anaya said, “I have always admired playgrounds, however, during the dark they looked terrifying and not-so-appealing,” she said. “Imagining little children playing a horror-mystery game where they eventually find out there is a killer in town. Playgrounds, especially at night, are what inspired me to write this petrifying story!
“I’m thrilled and excited to be announced as the latest winner. I’m thankful for all the visitors who read my story and the judges who enjoyed my story and made me a winner – a big ‘thank you’ to GDNlife’s wonderful audience!”
More than 2,300 people have viewed the Indian expatriate schoolgirl’s post and judge Sunderam described ‘Children’s playground’ as a ‘thrilling story that grabbed me from the get-go’. “There was that sense of impending doom but one kept hoping for a happy ending!” she added.
Judge Chris Fenton, head teacher of the British Primary Department at Al Noor International School, could not agree more describing the entry as a ‘gripping tale that conflicts the safety and innocence of childhood games with the brutality of the adult world’.
“One of the best pieces I have read since I have been judging this competition!” he added. “Well done on your developing writing Anaya and keep it up.”
The judging panel’s attention will now focus on choosing the annual prize winners for the titles of Adult and U18 GDNLife Short Story of the Year with prize plaques in both categories presented after the competition’s third anniversary this month.
The winner of the GDNLife People’s Choice Award – the short story that has received the most views and likes – will also be announced.
Visit www.gdnlife.com and support your favourite writers. As a result of the contest’s success there is now a special exclusive Short Story section on the platform for visitors to enjoy.
managingeditor@gdnmedia.bh
