Bengaluru, April 28, 2025 — The Sri Aurobindo Annual History Essay Competition 2024–25 concluded with a prize distribution ceremony on Thursday, April 24 at Hotel Green Park, Bengaluru. The event was organized by the Foundation for Indian Historical and Cultural Research (FIHCR), founded by historian and author Dr. Vikram Sampath.
Conducted under FIHCR’s Yuva vertical, the competition attracted over 1,500 entries from students in Grades 6 to 9 nationwide. Their essays uncovered overlooked narratives—shining a light on forgotten heroes and lesser-known monuments, and reflecting a growing interest among youth in India’s history.
A panel led by celebrated authors Ashwin Sanghi and Amish Tripathi reviewed the submissions and identified the most compelling essays for their fresh insights, strong research, and clear writing.
Shri Tejasvi Surya – MP for Bengaluru South, attended as Chief Guest, with Smt. Rajalakshmi Aggarwal – Chairperson of Ola Foundation, and Shri Devesh Verma – Head of Ola Foundation, as Guests of Honour. Dr. Vikram Sampath* hosted the evening and highlighted the importance of giving young voices a platform to engage with history on their own terms.
Shri Tejasvi Surya, MP for Bengaluru South expressed his gratitude and stated “I am deeply grateful to Vikram Sampath Sir and the Ola Foundation Team for their kind invitation and for the monumental work they continue to do through the FIHCR. It’s always an honour to support such efforts that aim to popularize Indian history among the youth. The overwhelming response to the Sri Aurobindo essay competition, with entries pouring in from every corner of the country, is a powerful reflection of the growing curiosity and pride among young Indians about our civilizational roots. The diversity in the choice of topics—from a student in the north writing about Alluri Sitarama Raju to one in the south writing about a monument in the north—shows how India’s cultural unity is being rediscovered by the younger generation. I urge every young Indian to read the works of great minds like Sri Aurobindo, for it is through them that we truly understand what it means to be a Bharatiya in spirit and essence.”
Eight students received first and second place awards across the four grades, while twelve students were recognized with special prizes for depth of research and originality. All prize winners received cash awards, certificates, and trophies.
The top 100 essays will be published in an upcoming anthology, which will be available in both print and digital formats.
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