Apeejay alumnus receives the prestigious National Service Scheme Award from the President of India 

“Helping others is one of the important values I have learnt from my home, my elders and my alma mater Apeejay, said Shriya Maini, an alumnus of 2020-2022 batch from Apeejay Institute Management & Engineering Technical Campus (AIMETC), Jalandhar. And these values strongly imbibed within her have recently led her to win a prestigious award from the President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu at Rashtriyapati Bhawan in New Delhi. 

Shriya was conferred with the prestigious National Service Scheme (NSS) Award (in the Volunteer Category) along with a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000/-, a certificate and a silver medal. Representing Punjab for the year 2021-2022, this recognition was bestowed upon her for her outstanding work and enthusiastic spirit in serving the nation. 

Thus sharing her immense joy and pride about this achievement the Apeejay alumnus expressed, “From school days at Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg to college days at Apeejay College of Fine Arts and  AIMETC, we were always taught about Dr. Satya Paul ji & his life journey on various occasions. Having the responsibility of his family at such a young age, while being confined to a wheelchair and still fulfilling his dream of setting up an institute where formal education, art and values can be found under one roof. His philanthropic nature, having belief in himself and his quality of not giving up despite many hindrances on his way, is what inspires me the most. He has also given us the motto of – “Soaring high is my nature.””

Small steps yet big impact

Passionate about bringing small yet impactful changes in the nation, Shriya believes, “Helping people with whatever resources I have, whatever I am capable of doing is my ideology. I got to know about the NSS in my initial years when I had joined Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar. I instantly got connected with it as I find joy in doing such activities. ‘Joy of Giving Week’ was my personal favourite activity, where we used to collect unwanted resources and distribute it to the places where they were much required. We also executed other activities like visiting the villages, listening to their problems, and educating them about the government schemes, tree plantation, fun activities with the children of government schools, visiting old age homes, distributing sweets and stationary items among the children are some of the activities we enjoyed doing.”

For this achievement, Shriya extended her gratitude to her programme officers, Dr. Apra Sahni from Apeejay College of Fine Arts,  Jalandhar as well as Dr. Avnip Deora from Apeejay Institute of Management & Engineering Technical Campus for having the faith in her and giving her the responsibilities from time to time to hone her social and emotional skills.

Read Here: The Art of Man-making: ‘Helping others is more about quality rather than quantity’

Values and their role in human life

When asked, is it tough to imbibe human values in today’s fast-paced digital world, the young achiever replied, “I think it is as easy as our routine activities. We don’t have to specifically devote a separate time. This can be done on our way to work or while going to the market. We can offer food or small packs of biscuits or water during summers, warm clothes during winters to needy people. Giving way to the ambulance, keeping the door or the lift open for someone behind you, letting someone cross the road while we can wait for just 2-3 seconds, informing someone that your bag or shoe lace is open. Just small acts to make someone’s day or even ours.” 

Read Here: Apeejay alumna and entrepreneur showcases healthy food products at G20 Summit

She further highlighted giving isn’t always about doing something for someone; it also involves doing good for the nature and surroundings one lives in. So from the environmental point of view, she suggested that people should try to carry their own jute or cloth bags as well as should refuse using plastic packets. “Turn off the water taps wherever you find one open.”

Shriya’s dedication, enthusiasm, and remarkable contributions as an NSS Volunteer have made her parents, family and alma mater immensely proud.