Vachana Jeevana Competition 2025 Winners

Awarded at the 2nd Asia Pacific Convention 2025, Perth

Vachana Jeevana 2025

Vachana Jeevana 2025 was introduced by Basava Samiti Asia Pacific Ltd (BSAPAC) for the first time as a new initiative to bring the timeless values embedded in Vachanas into everyday life. While Vachanas are an important form of Kannada literary and philosophical expression, BSAPAC sought to move beyond appreciation and recitation by encouraging participants to reflect, practise and demonstrate these values in their own lives.

A special tribute to Mr Linden May for his vision, creativity and contribution in designing this competition to improve the adoption of values in the society.

Importantly, Vachana Jeevana 2025 was conducted across BSAPAC’s chapters, enabling participants from different communities to take part and share their experiences. Entries were reviewed as part of a cross-chapter process to identify the winners, providing an opportunity to recognise individuals who demonstrated meaningful reflection and practical application of the selected values.
The first edition established Vachana Jeevana as more than a cultural activity. It became a values-in-action initiative, demonstrating BSAPAC’s commitment to translating the wisdom of Guru Basava into contemporary community life and encouraging individuals to Engage, Educate, Empower and Enlighten through personal practice.

All proceeds from the entry fees contributed towards BSAPAC’s ongoing values-based programs and community initiatives, ensuring that participation in the competition also supported the broader work of the Charity.

Vachana Jeevana Awards 2025 - Living with Values Award Winners

The Vachana Jeevana competition was conducted across the Charity’s jurisdiction in the lead up to the Convention 2025.
Four themes in relation to Respect, Honesty, Determination and Courage were provided to the participants and each one of them were linked to Guru Basava’s Vachanas.
The participants had to maintain a 20 day journal entry in relation to the reflection and adoption of these values.
The intention of the competition is to enable individual transformation in their journey of life through self practice and self discipline. The winners journal entry is included in the 2nd Asia Pacific Biennial Convention souvenir publication.
The judging panel was chaired by the Program Director Mr. Linden May and the Chief Executive Officer Mr. Stephen Hodgson.

Mrs. Aishwarya Goudadi

The panel went through a series of selection criteria that was based on the depth and reflection of the value, authenticity and originality, clarity of structure including impact and determination.
Mrs. Aishwarya Goudadi, from BSAPAC Perth Chapter became the winner of this competition. Mrs. Goudadi, runs and maintains a journal entry of 20 days reflecting about her experiences in her daily life as a child care worker and enforcing the implementation of the chosen value for the day. She bagged the laptop as part of the win.

Mrs. Shubha Shivateja

The runner up of the competition was also bagged by BSAPAC Perth Chapter. Dr. Shubha Shivateja won second place in the competition. She details the adoption of the value of compassion into her daily life in accordance with the vachanas. She narrates the adoption of this value in her profession as a doctor while someone needs medical attention, as a wife while managing the relationship with her husband. She also talks about the application of that with her mother in law and as a mother in an honest manner.