Write India winners share their excitement

When you participate in one of the country’s biggest writing competition and emerge as a winner along with other eleven names who hold the same position as yours, the least you expect is to strike a bond with the other winners. But it turned out to be a different scene with the 12 winners of the Write India short story contest. They actually bonded. Catch a glimpse of the candid moments and what they have to say about their journey.

"I have always believed that only writers who are passionate about their writing are able to leave a mark on their readers. I didn't know if I could write with that kind of passion. Write India proved to me that I can. More than winning I am supremely content that my writing touched hearts."

"Earlier I was an introvert writer, no one ever got the chance to read my stories, winning the Write India convinced me that I had to write stories for everyone to read."

(Shailesh won the contest for Amish at 3rd position)

"Write India brought a massive paradigm shift in my life. Before winning, I absolutely adamantly did not consider myself as a writer. Life was easy. But Write India pulled me out of that comfort zone of stagnation. Now, I look at myself as a writer. The world from this new lens is much more rich and colorful"

(Seen here with his wife)

"I have been writing forever. Ever since I got my first personal diary. From a toddler's memoir to a teenager's heartbreaks, from subtle satires to gibberish, from prestigious blogs to mediate columns, everything made sense except fame. It had never hit the mind when suddenly with TOI's Write India, everyone around became suddenly aware of my work like never before. The journey is nothing short of a Midas touch."

"Once huge joy of winning on such a large platform sank in, I was grateful for the feeling of humility in its wake. There is now a greater resolve to translate inspiration to perspiration, of putting pen to paper. Thank You TOI Write India!"

(Bhaswar won the third position for Ashwin Sanghi's month)

"Write India has taught me to appreciate my writing. It has given me acknowledgement and acceptance into the literary world. It has transformed me from a writer to an author."

(Also seen in picture with author Durjoy Datta and his wife Avantika)

"The journey of Write India has been a surprising one...I surprised myself by writing in different styles. The workshop was an eye opener. The eclectic group of winners bonded and became good friends. The book launch was dream come true. And to be launched as one of the next gen authors was an out-of-this-world experience. I will forever remain grateful to TOI for giving me this fantastic opportunity and I will make the most of it, that's a promise."

"Write India made me realize that story telling does not discriminate between who you are – a student of science or arts; freedom of expression is not based on professions. Anyone can write – doctor, engineer, lawyer or a homemaker."

(Kuheli thoroughly enjoyed the creative writing workshop. She won the third position for Tuhin A Sinha and Madhuri Banerjee)

"My motivation to participate in Write India was primarily to hone my hitherto untested writing skills. Never did I imagine that it would result in one of my fondest wishes being fulfilled – that of seeing my work published. Ideas would have remained just ideas and would never have crystallized into the written word, which Write India gave me the confidence and impetus to do. A big ‘Thank You’ to our very own fairy godmother, Vinita Ma’am for waving the magic wand of Write India and making our dreams come true!"

(Jacintha won the first position for Ravinder Singh's month. Seen here with Ravi Subramanian at one of the Write India city meet-ups)

"Till now, my greatest achievement was to be considered an able chauffeur by my pet beagle. Winning Write India gives me bragging rights now at home - finally my parents are convinced I'm just as worthy as that damn dog."

"Write India has really helped me develop my writing skills. From the first story that I submitted, to the last there is a noticeable difference, quality wise, and even creativity wise. The greater victory at the end of the write India journey is the story telling practice that the competition has given me."

"Winning Write India has taught me to appreciate and enjoy the art of writing, for the sheer pleasure it gives, without worrying too much about the end result."

"We all wonder what purpose our lives serve. Some people find their answer in being healers or creators or serving the nation or caring for the needy or in the divine, I found mine in writing. It has filled a hole in me. Winning Write India validated that."

(Vasudha is Anita Nair's top winner. She shared her position with Rohit Tandekar. She also won third position for Ravinder Singh's month)

"Winning amongst 25,000 entries, attending one of the best workshops I've ever attended, meeting other talented individuals who made it to the top, getting coached by established writers, sharing the podium with the country's best authors, launching the book with my first published article, signing my co-authors' copies and finally basking in the glow of numerous compliments, the entire experience of winning and being a part of TOI Write India has been surreal."

(Rohit shared the first position with Vasudha Gulati for the month of author Anita Nair. Seen in the picture at the Write India Creative Writing Workshop)

"Gratitude Write India for bridging the gap between us and the prominent authors of this country and also us and the readers."

(Nikhil stands tall third from right. He won second position for Ravinder Singh's month)

"I flew to 15 different countries as an international cabin crew, but yet I feel Write India gave me wings in a true sense, to soar above my self critique and shyness and see the bigger picture of possibilities. I also met an amazing flock of fledgling writers for company."

(Seen here with authors Ravinder Singh and Durjoy Datta)