MUMBAI: BBC Hindi has announced Amar Kumar Singh from Hazaribagh of Jharkhand and Shripal Nehra from Sikar of , Rajasthan, as the winners of its playwriting competition, held at the beginning of this year.

The winners have been awarded a certificate each from BBC Hindi, along with a shortwave radio and Rs.15,000 as prize money.
Amar Kumar Singh and Shripal Nehra's scripts were chosen from over 1200 entries received for the contest. The winning entries will now be produced as radio plays, inviting local talent to lend their voice to bring alive the scripts. These will be broadcast on the BBC Hindi service in December.

BBC Hindi head Achala Sharma says, "BBC Hindi aims to provide a platform for dialogue for its audiences, and the drama contest brings to the fore issues that are close to our audiences' hearts. The response to the contest was overwhelming with listeners from all walks of life sending in entries, and it was a tough choice. The winning scripts focus on themes such as corruption and the plight of the elderly in the face of disintegrating traditional family values. I am sure these will strike a chord with all our listeners."

The winners were facilitated at a presentation ceremony held at the Delhi office of the BBC, where they have attended a four-day workshop on radio playwriting with Achala Sharma.

"I congratulate both the winners and hope that their association with BBC Hindi has been a meaningful one," Achala added.