In a vibrant display of literary talent and rapid-fire reporting, 17 aspiring journalists from across the United States, Canada, and India successfully competed in the 2026 News Writing Contest held this Saturday, January 17, 2026. The event, a high-stakes collaboration between the Indo-American Press Club (IAPC) and the Global Indian Council (GIC), challenged these international participants to transform raw tragedy into meaningful storytelling under the pressure of a ticking clock.

The talented field of participants included:

• Anahita Balakrishnan
• Dyuthi Susan Zachariah
• Hanna Mariam Shalu
• Shagun Nigam
• Nisha Elizabeth George
• Veron Sunil
• Diptanshu Bhowmick
• Neba Anna Thomas
• Anna Joy
• Vedanti Sheoran
• Abha S V
• Sudipto Maity
• Subhodip Chowdhury
• Neena Joseph
• Saachi Rohtagi
• Md Muhtasim Uzzaman
• Raisa Rakhsanda

The Heart of the Challenge

The competition pushed participants to their limits with a demanding “breaking news” scenario: a catastrophic New Year’s Eve fire at a Swiss nightclub. Tasked with reporting on an incident involving 40 fatalities and over 100 injuries, the writers had to balance factual reporting with human impact and safety analysis.

The prompt specifically required contestants to explore:

• The immediate human consequences of the disaster.
• The critical importance of fire safety measures in public venues.
• Future prevention strategies, with a unique focus on the youth perspective.

Leadership Voices

The event was inaugurated by a prestigious panel of leaders, including Mrs. Patricia Umashankar (IAPC Vice President), Dr. Matthew Joys (IAPC Vice Chairman), Mr. PC Mathew (GIC Global President), Mr. Sudhir Nambiar (GIC General Secretary), Ms. Tara Shajan (GIC Treasurer), and Mr. Shan Justus (IAPC General Secretary). Organizers emphasized that the contest was not merely a test of speed but a platform to celebrate the power of the written word.

A Digital-First Approach

The contest utilized a modern, proctored environment where 17 participants joined via a live session. To maintain journalistic integrity, organizers enforced a strict “camera-on” policy and utilized a secure online platform that prevented external assistance. For those opting for a more traditional feel, the contest also accommodated handwritten submissions via high-resolution photo uploads.

Recognition and Next Steps

Every participant has been awarded a Digital Certificate of Participation to mark their commitment to journalistic excellence. The tension now shifts to the evaluation phase, as a professional judging panel begins the rigorous process of reviewing the submissions.

Official Results and Publication:

• Winners: Will be announced by the end of next week.
• Public Showcase: Selected articles will be published on the official Indo-American Press Club website, giving these young writers an international audience for their work.

As the session closed, organizers invited all participants to continue pursuing their passion for media. For those who rose to today’s challenge, the journey from student to storyteller has only just begun.