But one day after coming back from school, Proma found the nest smashed and the young birds lying dead -- they were savagely killed by a child of a guest.

Proma is one of the 120 winners of NIDO-Shaptahik 2000 Golpo Lekho Golpo Jeto (write a story, win a story) Competition 2006. The story on the poignant incident she wrote won her a prize.

The prize giving ceremony was held at the Shilpakala Academy in the city yesterday.

Afrina Khanam bagged the first prize in the 'Ka' category while Shukanna Hasan won the second prize and Adiba Tanannum the third prize.

In the 'Kha' category, the first prize went to Sanjana Sanam Mormi while Dil Afroze Sarkar Mim and Salsabil won second and third prizes respectively.

The winners received DVD player, camera, MP3 player along with books, certificates and crests.

Writer Moinul Ahsan Saber, Faridur Reza Sagar and Amirul Islam were on the panel of judges.

"I have been taking part in the competition since it was introduced in 2000. Inspired by my winning awards, children in my area have also started writing and sending stories to the competition," said Farah Ulfat Proma, a student of class four at Viqarunnisa Noon School.

The competition has been organised to prepare the next generation as future leaders so that they can make the country a better place, said Acting Editor of the Shaptahik 2000 Golam Mortoza.

Nestle Bangladesh's HR and Corporative Affairs Director Ravi Bekal, Brand Executive Shafkat Alam Sumit, NIDO's Brand Manager Nuzhat Yusuf Bari and Chief Executive Officer of Unitrend Ltd Julfikar Ahmed were also present.