Patna, Jan. 13: Magadh Mahila College today awarded students who excelled in an essay competition on Swami Vivekananda and the relevance of his teachings for the youth in the contemporary world.

Shweta Rajani, an undergraduate economics (honours) student, was declared the joint winner with her classmate Nilima. She said: “The youth should come forward to change society for the better. We are full of potential and should not waste our energy on negative thoughts and actions. If youths take up the cudgels, it will lead to the development of the nation.”

Forty students from different departments took part in the competition, organised to mark National Youth Day and the sesquicentenary of Swami Vivekananda. They penned their thoughts in Hindi.

Nilima claimed that the teachings of the religious leader and social reformer had given her the courage to take part in the competition. “I have taken part in many events but this is the first time I won something,” said an excited Nilima.

Daksha Rekha, a second-year BCA student who came a close second, also said Swami Vivekananda had inspired her.

Asked what she had written in her essay, Rekha told The Telegraph: “Swami Vivekananda gave us the message of equality. We should not differentiate among people on the basis of caste, religion or sex. Swami Vivekananda taught us that everyone is equal. We should try to follow his teachings.”

Rekha shared the honours with BBA student Amrita Kumari, while economics student Rupa Kumari came third.

Radha Vakula, a retired chemistry teacher of the college, and Geeta Dwivedi, head of the department, Hindi, judged the essays.

Vakula told The Telegraph that she was happy with the way the students had approached the subject. “I went through the essays and found that they had done excellent research on Swamiji’s life and teachings. I really loved their dedication.”