Echoing the ideals of Dr Stya Paul on his 105th birth anniversary  

Apeejay Institute of Management & Engineering Technical Campus (AIMETC), Jalandhar celebrated Founder’s Day to pay tribute to Dr Stya Paul, Founder-Chairman, Apeejay Stya Group & Apeejay Education on his 105th birth anniversary. 

The Founder’s Day celebrations commenced with a beautiful vandana performance which set a tone of reverence and spiritual significance for the event. Dr. Rajesh Bagga, Director of AIMETC paid a floral tribute to the Founder Chairman.

He also read a special message from  Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia, Chairman, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group, Chancellor Apeejay Stya University, and Chairman, Apeejay Education. 

“Today is the 105th Birth Anniversary of Dr Stya Paul – Founder Chairman of Apeejay Stya Group & Apeejay Education – a day that we celebrate each year as Founder’s Day. An eminent industrialist, educationist, freedom fighter and philanthropist of the highest order, his life is a shining example of how we can overcome all odds to achieve our dreams and become a beacon of inspiration for all around us. Commemorating his birthday is our way of paying tribute to his determination, hard work and spirit of excellence that helped him rise from humble beginnings and overcome physical disabilities to become one of the most successful and respected men of this nation.

Your Principal/Director must have shared some details of his life and work with all of you, but merely words cannot depict or reflect the illustrious achievements of his life, or the depths of his multidimensional personality. I would like to, however, take advantage of the occasion to mention a few things which stand out in my mind – some feelings which I would like to share with all of you.

The eldest of 7 children, Dr. Stya Paul lost his mother at a very young age and father a few years later. As the eldest son, business and family responsibilities came to rest on his shoulders, very early in life. They were shouldered with lots of love and affection, and from then onwards, he developed the trait of putting others before himself. He was, if anything, a living example of modesty and humility, and preferred to let his work speak for him.

He had the valuable qualities of hard work, fearlessness and love for truth and these stood him in good stead as he pioneered the Apeejay Stya Group into an industrial conglomerate, and Apeejay Education (which is a Social Commitment of the Group) into one of the most respected and successful educational organisations of India.

Today Apeejay Education has 26 Educational Institutions – Schools and Higher Education Institutes – all symbols of excellence in their various disciplines, moulding the life and careers of all future generations. Year 2010 also saw the realisation of his dream of setting up the Apeejay Stya University – a world-class university that is not only a seat of global learning, but also one that brings about transformation of society through value-based, man-making and nation- building education.

Once, I had asked him as to how, from humble beginnings, he had been able to turn Apeejay Stya into one of the biggest success stories of the nation. He had replied that he had only concentrated on working hard with dedication and commitment as he believed that “Work is Worship”. He said that along the way, he met talented and committed people who joined him in his quest for excellence, and good things kept happening.

Over the years, he has been actively associated with several causes – in the field of industry, education and social uplift. Kind, benevolent, and ever ready to help all, he left a lasting impact on all those he came into contact with. All this was done quietly; he never took any credit, only liked to pass it around. He desired no monuments or awards for himself, though over the years, innumerable awards and honours have been conferred on him by governments, universities and organisations for his contribution to the development of the nation, in both education and industry.

 Dr Stya Paul was always a positive thinker, who faced all of life’s vicissitudes with a smiling countenance, never-say-die attitude and an unflinching faith in the Almighty. Though he was a hard task-master, his punctuality, sense of discipline, dedication and focus made him an ideal role model of excellence for all those who worked with him. For him, work was passion, and he hated to miss office even when he was ill. He had a sharp memory for people, was an excellent listener, apart from being a good orator and writer.

He was a lover of Urdu poetry and had a deep interest in spiritualism, philosophy, culture and Arts. He had a keen insight into events and people, and loved the company of children. He always remembered those who helped him, and was a friend of friends. He had kind words for even those who opposed him.

Once, many years ago, Swami Ranganathananda of the Ramakrishna Mission, said three words to him: “Be a Man”. This, my father told me, changed the entire perspective of his life. Today, I would like to convey to everyone that this is what he had always been, in life and deed – a man, in the true sense of the word – Purushottam.

So, as we remember and honour him on his 105^th Birth Anniversary, let us celebrate both what our Founder Chairman Dr. Stya Paul was, and what he stood for. Let us take a pledge to uphold the legacy of excellence that he leaves behind, and strive to achieve the goals to which he devoted his life. I would like to end with one of the favourite Urdu couplets of my father, the inspiration behind his life and the motto of Apeejay Education – “Soaring High is my nature”

Tu shaheen hai parvaaz hai kaam tera Tere samne aasman aur bhi hai. “You are a falcon. Soaring high is your nature. There are skies yet for you to conquer.”

Speaking on the occasion,  Dr. Rajesh Bagga said, “Dr. Stya Paul ji had been an enterprising person, a strong disciplinarian, and a beacon light who steered the Apeejay movement to its present glory all throughout his life.”

 He also shared details of Dr. Stya Paul Ji’s biography and some of his illustrious achievements. Dr. Bagga exhorted the students to help realise the vision of Dr. Stya Paul Ji by adopting his qualities like empathy, kind- heartedness, fearlessness, and love for truth.

The students enthralled the audience with a melodious medley and a spectacular dance performance. The dance performance was a spectacular display of artistry and emotion. Students from various courses came together to put on a visually captivating show that left the audience enthralled. Piyush of BTECH (CSE), Japneet of MBA and Sukhnandan of MCA delivered special talks on ‘Soaring High is my nature’.

Subsequently, Director Dr. Bagga also announced ‘Dr. Stya Paul Award for Human Values’ The recipients of the award were Meghdeep Kaur of MCA and Bidesh Bhuimali of MBA (in Post Graduate category) and Nishika Mogla of BBA and Piyush of BTECH (in Undergraduate category).

Further, a poster-making competition on the theme of ‘Human Values and Ethics’ was also organised in the Institute. The winners of the poster making competition were Dollcy from MBA programme who won the first prize and Chanchal from BBA course winning the second prize. The celebrations concluded with the National Anthem.