Student Interview: ‘When your mind is set on a goal, you must give it your 100%’

Meet Archit Pathak, a student of Apeejay School, Kharghar, whose creative writing skills have earned him recognition at the 23rd SPIRITS Competition 2026, organised by the Rotaract Club of New Bombay Seaside. Winning first prize in Hindi Poetry and second prize in Hindi Short Story Writing, Archit shares how encouragement, creativity and confidence helped him discover his talent for writing.   

Congratulations on your achievement! Could you tell us about the Hindi Poetry and Short Story Writing competitions you participated in?

I participated in the 23rd SPIRITS Competition 2026, organised by the Rotaract Club of New Bombay Seaside, and was delighted to secure First Prize in Hindi Poem Writing and Second Prize in Hindi Short Story Writing. 

 What inspired you to participate in these competitions?

I usually don’t participate in such events, but my Hindi teacher encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and recognise my potential in creative writing. Inspired by her support and my friends’ achievements in similar competitions, I decided to challenge myself and participate. 

For the Hindi Poetry competition: What was the theme or topic of your poem, and what inspired you to choose that particular idea? 

The theme was “धरती की पुकार” or ” Call of the Earth ” and I choose because I am very fond of nature based poem especially because that emotion which writers convey through rich language and imperssive rhyming scheme is incredible.

How did you develop the concept and emotions you wanted to convey through your poem? 

Through my writing, I addressed issues such as air pollution, water conservation and global warming, but presented them through an emotional connection with nature. In my poem, Mother Earth herself pleads with humans to stop destroying her. I wanted readers to develop greater respect for the Earth, recognise its importance, and appreciate the invaluable gifts of nature. 

For the Short Story competition: What was your story about, and what message did you hope readers would take away from it? 

The topic was tree conservation, but instead of writing a conventional story about saving trees and helping the environment, I took a completely different approach. I began with an emotional story about a poor boy who becomes a successful businessman after saving a tree. When I learnt that my story had won a prize, I was genuinely surprised, as I had never expected my unconventional idea to be recognised so highly. 

Where do you usually find inspiration for your poems and stories?

To be honest, I am not an avid reader, especially when it comes to Hindi literature. However, I regularly read Hindi newspapers, a habit encouraged by my father, who believes that studying in an English-medium school should not mean losing touch with Hindi. Reading articles on topics such as nature, cyber security and current affairs has helped me strengthen my Hindi vocabulary and express my ideas more effectively in both poetry and storytelling. 

How do you approach writing in Hindi, especially when you want to express complex emotions or ideas?

I never wrote much beyond school assignments, but my Hindi and English teachers often praised my writing. Reading Hindi newspapers, encouraged by my father, has also helped me develop my vocabulary and writing style. The diverse articles and occasional beautiful poems, often inspire my creativity. 

Did you face any challenges while writing your poem or short story? How did you overcome them? 

Participating in both Hindi and English was challenging, as I had only 1.5 hours to complete both languages. Since I become deeply involved in my writing, it was difficult to conclude my story within the time limit, and I feel the rushed ending may have affected my result. By the time I reached the poem, I was physically and mentally tired after hours of continuous writing. However, I believe that when your mind is set on a goal, you must give it your 100% and approach it with a positive attitude. That mindset helped me stay focused and give my best. 

What advice would you give to students who love writing but hesitate to participate in competitions?

If you love writing but hesitate, build your self-confidence and trust your abilities. I once underestimated my creativity, especially in poetry, until a poem I wrote in Grade 7 was selected for the school magazine. That experience inspired me to write more. Schools should encourage mandatory, graded creative-writing activities because students may discover hidden talents. My advice is simple: give your best, stay confident, and remain open to inspiration—you never know what might spark your next great idea.