Bangladesh's junior-grade student Anan Mustafiz has won the Gold Award in the Queen's Commonwealth Essay Com-petition, the world's oldest international writing contest.
Anan, a Grade 5 student at an English-medium school in Dhaka, was informed of the recognition through an official letter from the Royal Commonwealth Society.
His essay, titled "The Secret Door to a Child's Perfect World," imagines a world where every child enjoys a safe and joyful childhood, learning freely under nurturing teachers. The essay contrasts this ideal world with the real-life challenges faced by children in Bangladesh's education system. At the story's end, Anan returns to his study table holding a seed from Trima, a girl from the imaginary world, from which he writes, will grow the "Tree of Hope."
Reflecting on the achievement, Anan said he was thrilled and that receiving the award would inspire him to do even better next year. He had submitted the essay last May while still in Standard Four.
This year, the competition drew 53,434 participants from 56 Commonwealth countries, marking a 53 per cent increase from last year.
Anan has also excelled in other fields: he won first place in the 2023 Smart Children's Carnival quiz, hosts a YouTube talk show "Talk With Anan," and regularly writes stories.
Anan's father, Rahman Mustafiz, is a senior journalist, while his mother, Kazi Tamanna, is the publisher and editor of Art News, a senior news anchor, and a visual artist.
