Annual Competitions

Drona Academy Sivakasi hosts annual competitions for students. Submit essays and videos on themes like patriarchy, gender equality, and social awareness. Prize pool up to Rs 10,000.

3 minutes

About Our Competitions #

These annual competitions foster healthy competition, encourage academic excellence, and provide a platform for students to showcase their talents. This year’s edition is held in special remembrance of Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy.

Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy walked into Madras Medical College in 1907 as the only woman in the room. She didn’t just survive it, she walked out with seven gold medals. When her own family tried to marry her off as a child, she refused, fought for her right to education, and turned that defiance into a medical degree. She chose to marry on her own terms; only after her career was established, to a man who respected her as an equal. When society told her politics wasn’t for women, she became India’s first woman legislator and used that seat to legally abolish child marriage and the Devadasi system. She didn’t wait for permission, she didn’t wait for the world to be ready; she just kept moving, kept fighting, kept building. If she could dismantle an entire system in an era that had every rule stacked against her, what’s your excuse?

Wait no more and win at life, starting from this competition!


Upcoming Competitions #

Topic: Unlearning Patriarchy: Awareness, Responsibility, and Change Submission accepted in the forms of

  • Essay
  • Youtube videos
  • Instagram videos

Prize #

  • First prize: Rs 10,000
  • Second prize: Rs 5,000
  • Third prize: Rs 2,500
  • Consolation prizes: Books

Topic 1: “The Blind Spot of Love: Recognising Bias Towards Loved Ones While Confronting Patriarchy and Misogyny” #

  • Explore how affection, loyalty, and emotional attachment often prevent us from acknowledging harmful patriarchal behaviour in people we love.

  • Discuss subtle everyday instances where bias appears.

  • Reflect on the importance of awareness, accountability, and courage.

Topic 2: “Everyday Acts of Resistance: Identifying Misogyny and Patriarchy in Daily Life and Standing Up Against It” #

  • Focus on small yet powerful actions individuals can take.

  • Encourage observation of language, jokes, traditions, family dynamics, workplace behaviour, and social expectations.

  • Highlight personal responsibility, allyship, and creating safer spaces.

Topic 3: “Beyond the Stereotype: How Patriarchy and Misogyny Harm Men Too” #

  • Challenge the misconception that patriarchy only benefits men.

  • Discuss emotional suppression, toxic masculinity, pressure to conform, mental health effects, and relationship struggles.

  • Reflect on how dismantling patriarchy benefits everyone.

Rules #

  • Eligibility: Open to school and college students under the age of 25

For essays

  • Word Limit: 1000–1500 words For videos
  • Video duration: not more than 5min
  • Language: Simple, thoughtful, reflective, real life examples and evidence-based

Assessment Criteria: #

  • Relevance and practicality to life

  • Depth of understanding

  • Clarity of ideas and originality

  • Real-life relevance and examples

  • Constructive perspective and solutions

  • Easy to comprehend presentation

Deadline: 11 October, 00:00 AM IST #

Also celebrating “International Day of the Girl Child”

Winner announcement #

12 December


References and examples for videos: #

Submit Your Entry #

Ready to participate? Fill out the form below to submit your competition entry: