Soery Sultana of Dhaka Home Economics College. Fer-dous Zahan of Mymensingh Samurta Zahan Women's College and Muhammad Abdul Manik of Rajshahi University became first, second and third respectively in the Essay Writing Competition under Esha Khan Memorial Prize '99. reports BSS.

Names of the winners were announced yesterday at a function at Medicine Department of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, a press release said.

The prize was introduced in 1998 after the name of E^ia -Khan, a founding member of voluntary blood donation organisation Bandhan and Student's Anti-Smoking Committee. Esha, a meritorious student of English Department of Dhaka University died in 1997.

The title of the essay writing competition for this year was The role of students in favour of voluntary blood donation and anti-smoking."

Among others. Convenor of the Prize Committee Ali Ni-amot. Eye Specialist Dr Muhammad Harun-or-Rashid. Maksuda Khan Niamot. Boby Zamila. Prof Ashraf-ul-Alam. Faisal Murad and Sakhawat Hussain addressed the function while Dr Rawshan was in the

Special prayers were offered for early recovery of the ailing Chief Election Commissioner Muhammad Abu Hena. who is also the Chief Patron of the Esha Khan Memorial Prize Committee.