‘My school taught me to be better version of myself’

For Mehakk Bhardwaj, an alumna of Apeejay School, Pitampura, school life was never confined to the classroom. Between lunch breaks with friends, rehearsals for annual day performances, and a trip to the Singapore Student Leadership Convention, her years at Apeejay laid the groundwork for a career she now pursues with the same curiosity and empathy the school helped nurture. 

Today, Mehakk works as an Embark India Development Fellow (EIDF), placed with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). We spoke with her about the school years that helped bring her here.

What are some of your fondest memories of your time at the school?

Some of my fondest memories are the simple moments I shared with my friends. I particularly remember lunch breaks when my friends would come to my classroom and we would all sit together, talk and enjoy our time. Preparing for the annual school day is another memory I look back on very fondly. 

One of my most memorable experiences was also attending the Singapore Student Leadership Convention with my friends. Travelling together and getting the opportunity to interact with students from different countries made it a truly enriching experience.

If you had to describe your school life in three words, what would they be?

Learning, Exploring and Growing.

What did you enjoy most about being a student here?

What I enjoyed most was the range of opportunities the school gave me to explore beyond academics. Whether it was learning dance through the dance club, being encouraged to understand and engage with social issues, participating in the environment club, or attending the Singapore Student Leadership Convention. There was always an opportunity to discover something new. I really valued an environment where learning was not limited to the classroom.

How would you describe the teachers who taught you, and how has their contribution helped your professional journey?

I have fond memories of my teachers, from my primary school years through my senior-most classes. They were encouraging but also constantly pushed me to do better and challenge myself.

Looking back, I realise that their belief in my potential and their insistence that I give my best helped me develop a mindset of continuous learning and self-improvement. That mindset has stayed with me through my professional journey, where I continue to learn, take on new challenges and strive to do better.

Apart from academics, what important lessons did the school teach you?

One of the most important lessons the school taught me was that there is always room to become a better version of yourself. It taught me not to give up when things are difficult, but to keep pushing myself, learn from my experiences and improve. I also learnt the importance of being aware of what is happening around me and being sensitive to the larger society.

How did the school encourage you to explore your interests and talents?

The school gave me the freedom and encouragement to explore a wide range of interests. It provided opportunities to participate in clubs, cultural activities, leadership programmes and initiatives around social and environmental issues. This helped me understand that education is also about discovering what interests you, developing your talents and finding ways to contribute beyond yourself.

Where are you working currently, and what is your job role?

Currently, I am working as an Embark India Development Fellow (EIDF), placed with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). My work involves research and policy-related work, particularly around strengthening the use and integration of administrative data for better policy and decision-making.