THE kingdom’s literary talent clearly shone throughout the pandemic as writers used their free time from gatherings and party-going to sharing their short stories in a www.GDNlife.com contest.

GDN Media’s launch of its unique social media platform last March coincided with strict measures being introduced in Bahrain to tackle the Covid-19 crisis.

The plan was to stage a big party for the annual winners of the competition and their families and friends 12 months on ... but with restrictions remaining on large gatherings, the winners will shortly collect their prize plaques in socially-distanced style.

However, we can proudly announce the decisions of our panel of judges:

• www.GDNlife.com Short Story Competition Adult WINNER 2020/21 – Maria S Haneef – Sunsets you paint. https://www.gdnlife.com/Home/ArticleDetail?ArticleId=23161&category=10

• www.GDNlife.com Short Story Competition U18 WINNER 2020/21 – Bianca Capraru – These delicate bones. https://www.gdnlife.com/Home/ArticleDetail?ArticleId=38183&category=18

• And, the winner of the GDNLife People’s Choice Award – the short story that has received the most views, likes and comments – went to Muhammad ‘Waleed’ Jamshed’s Tear that spoke. https://www.gdnlife.com/Home/ArticleDetail?ArticleId=37858&category=18

Bahraini Maria S Haneef was the first BD25 prize winner in the adult section announced last April for her emotional roller coaster of never-ending love and it remained close to the heart of one of the judges, Rohini Sunderam, from Bahrain Writers Circle, who described it as ‘beautiful’.

“This remains my all-time favourite,” she said “It is a moving, emotional tale of love and loss. The prose is well controlled and pulls the reader just short of tears.”

Delighted Ms Haneef, 24, from East Riffa, described the news of winning the overall competition as ‘amazing news’.

The former Indian School Bahrain pupil added: “Thank you for making my day so much better! I can’t describe in words how happy this has made me. It was like a breath of fresh air.

“I haven’t been up to much lately but I’m definitely considering turning this short story into a novel! Winning this competition has given me the final push and courage to do it.

“Thank you so much once again! I can’t wait to get my hands on the plaque. I would also like to thank the entire GDNlife team and the judges for giving me the opportunity of writing the story and the honour of winning the best story award.”

In the U18 competition, British School of Bahrain student Bianca Capraru left it to the final moment to enter and win last October’s contest by posting These delicate bones on the 31st.

Within minutes, the entry had received hundreds of views and judge Chris Fenton, head teacher of the British Primary Department at Al Noor International School, described it as an ‘Edgar Allen Poe-influenced piece’.

It was well-deserving of the annual prize too. “Seventeen-year-old Bianca’s piece stood out because it evoked a scene in my mind so well,” he added.

“I could imagine the characters vividly through her descriptions, which is the aim of good writing – to spark the imagination.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reviewing these stories and can see that there is a wealth of developing talent in the country.”

The Romanian teenager from Hamala said being judged as the latest winner was ‘absolutely inspiring’.

Her father’s job brought her to Bahrain seven years ago and she hopes to pursue a career in law.

“I find the whole GDNlife platform a really practical way of keeping touch with budding writers in Bahrain,” she said.

“Usually I would have participated in short story competitions in my school, however, getting the chance to showcase my writing here seems like such a big achievement which I’m definitely proud of.

“I’m graduating in June, therefore, I have been currently focusing on academics as well as pushing myself to write on the side – whether it be poetry or working on a potential novel, I have been trying my best to stay busy and inspired.

“Staying motivated during a pandemic can be quite difficult for the majority of us, but on the bright side it has given me the opportunity to be able to practice a passion even more.”

The thousands of visitors to www.gdnlife.com also got the chance to pick their favourite and Mr Jamshed’s entry attracted a staggering 7,777 views, 15 likes and 14 comments.

“Thank you to the GDNlife team for creating such a platform where anybody can share their talents and thoughts.

“I’m very happy that my story was read by so many people, this specific story was written back in 2017 and I never thought it would be a highlight on such a big platform.

“I came to Bahrain in 2004, when I was only 10-years-old, and since then Bahrain has been my home.

“I have been writing since 2010 but it wasn’t until 2020 that I finally decided to make an Instagram page where I would just share my thoughts, and that is how I also got to know about GDNlife.

“After the story was published on www.GDNlife.com, I shared the link on my page, which was also very helpful.

“I graduated from the University of Bahrain in 2017 and the following year was lucky enough to find a job with one of the leading furniture retail companies in the world.

“I hope many people take advantage of this platform to showcase their wonderful hidden talents and to reach many people and get appreciated for their work.”

As well as celebrating his prize plaque success he’ll be dancing again with joy in the near future. The 27-year-old’s marriage is planned at end of July back in Pakistan.

Congratulations to all our 2020/21 winners.

The competition for 2021/22 has just opened. Place your entry of no more than 600 words in the Short Story category of www.gdnlife.com for the chance of winning a BD25 prize for adults and a pair of cinema tickets (when they reopen) for the U18 category.

Annual plaque prize winners will be announced next April and, hopefully, celebrated with a party in April, 2022.