Gita contest winners cry foul after prize money split

Students of Kurukshetra University, who have won ‘The Gita Insights Challenge’, have been left disheartened as they have not been paid the full prize money, which was announced before the competition.

The challenge was held as part of the ninth International Gita Conference on the theme ‘Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and sustainable ecosystem’, organised by Kurukshetra University in collaboration with Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) last year.

The students were invited to participate in ‘The Gita Insights Challenge’. An amount of Rs 1 lakh was to be given as first prize, Rs 51,000 as second prize and Rs 21,000 as third prize. Five consolation prizes of Rs 11,000 each were also announced. The students had prepared videos related to the influence of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita.

However, when the results were announced, the prize money was divided and three winners were announced for the first prize. Similarly, joint winners were declared for others positions as well.

Anil Kumar, a student of Kurukshetra University, said, “I had participated in the competition and spent over Rs 30,000 for preparing a video. Considering the prize money of Rs 1 lakh, I thought it would be worth investing the money. I was disheartened when I got to know about the decision of dividing the prize money among three joint winners, which was against the rules. In the brochure of the competition, it was clearly mentioned that first prize will be Rs 1 lakh. Instead of Rs 1 lakh, I have been given Rs 33,334 only.”

The matter was raised in a meeting of the District Public Relations and Grievance Redressal Committee, Anil Kumar said, adding during the meeting Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Rajesh Nagar directed the officials of KDB and Kurukshetra University to release the full prize money, but the directions were not followed.

“I was forced to make repeated rounds to various offices to make my grievance heard. I have again requested Kurukshetra Deputy Commissioner Neha Singh and she has assured of listing the matter will again in the next meeting. I am hoping for a resolution to my grievance. Else, I will have to approach Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini,” he added.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, an official in the Kurukshetra University said over 100 students from the university and affiliated colleges had participated in the competition. The judges had decided to have joint winners and divide the money as the prime objective behind the competition was to motivate the students and ensure that more students participate in the coming years, the official added. The money already provided by the KDB had been distributed among the winners and as soon as more money was received, it will be distributed, the official said.

Meanwhile, Kurukshetra Development Board Chief Executive Officer Pankaj Setia said, “As per the directions received in the Grievance Redressal Committee meeting, more budget has been demanded from the Headquarters (Urban Local Bodies). As soon as the further directions are received, the process will be initiated.”

Haryana Tribune