The Week contest: Love losing

This week's question: An Indian man who has lost 238 bids for public office over four decades has now launched 239th election campaign; K. Padmarajan says his goal is not victory but to model graciousness in defeat. If he were to write a self-help book on the joys of losing, what should it be titled?
Click here to see the results of last week's contest: Plumbing poster
Last week’s contest: An Indian man who has lost 238 bids for public office over four decades has now launched his 239th election campaign; K. Padmarajan says his goal is not to win but to model graciousness in defeat. If he were to write a self-help book on the joys of losing, what should it be titled?
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
RESULTS:
THE WINNER: “Soar, Loser!”
Tiger Bye, Bluffton, South Carolina
SECOND PLACE: “Loss Leader”
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Carol Louer, West Milford, New Jersey
THIRD PLACE: “On the Sunny Side of Defeat”
John Parry, Eldersburg, Maryland
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
“If You Win, Demand a Recount”
Fernand Dutile, South Bend, Indiana
“Lost But Not Least”
Jennifer King Maggio, Galloway, New Jersey
“How to Concede Without Really Trying”
Laurel Rose, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
“Silver Medals Playbook”
Tim Mistele, Coral Gables, Florida
“How to Win Friends, Yet Still Lose Elections”
Kenneth Jensen, Richland, Washington
“Winning Isn’t Anything”
Bill Levine, Belmont, Massachusetts
“The Nobility of Humility”
Nancy Rockefeller, Delmar, New York
“To Surrender with Love”
Vincent Vigorita, Paterson, New Jersey
“Pwned And Proud”
James Pearson, Anaheim, California
-
England’s ‘dysfunctional’ children’s care system
In the Spotlight A new report reveals that protection of youngsters in care in England is failing in a profit-chasing sector
-
Cider farms to visit this autumn
The Week Recommends With harvest season fast approaching, spend an afternoon at one of these idyllic orchards
-
Endangered shark meat is being mislabeled and sold in the US
Under the radar It could cause both health and ecological problems
-
Quiz of The Week: 6 – 12 September
Quiz Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
The Week contest: Racoon’s regrets
Puzzles and Quizzes
-
Magazine solutions - September 19, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - September 19, 2025
-
Magazine printables - September 19, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - September 19, 2025
-
Quiz of The Week: 30 August – 5 September
Quiz Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
Quiz of The Week: 23 – 29 August
Quiz Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
The Week contest: Rock grandfather
Puzzles and Quizzes
-
Magazine solutions - September 5 / September 12, 2025
Puzzle and Quizzes Issue - September 5 / September 12, 2025