Apeejay School, Charkhi Dadri celebrates the rich legacy of Founder-Chairman

Apeejay School, Charkhi Dadri, celebrated the 105th birth anniversary of the visionary Late Dr Stya Paul, Founder Chairman , Apeejay Stya Group & Apeejay Education. The event aimed to pay tribute to his contributions as a renowned industrialist, educationist, freedom fighter, and philanthropist. The celebration sought to inspire students by honouring Dr. Paul’s values, resilience, and lifelong commitment to education, shaping the community’s future.

The event began with a performance by the school choir, who sang Dr. Paul’s favourite bhajans, filling the atmosphere with a sense of spiritual reverence. Principal Dr. Vineet Vasishtha led the school in offering floral tributes to Dr. Stya Paul’s photograph, as staff and students gathered to commemorate the special occasion. The highlight of the event was an English play performed by Class 6 students, showcasing key moments from Dr. Stya Paul’s life and his numerous achievements. The performance aimed to inspire students to follow in his footsteps and embody the values he stood for.

Adding to the day’s significance, a lecture on the school motto was delivered by Kashish of Class X. The speech emphasised the core principles of the institution and reinforced Dr. Paul’s belief in character building and academic excellence.

One of the major highlights of the celebration was the presentation of the prestigious Dr. Stya Paul Award for Human Values, an annual tradition recognising students who embody human values in their daily lives. This year, the award was presented to Tamanna from Class XII, Livanshi from Class X, and Sunidhi Goyal from Class VIII. Each recipient received a citation and a scholarship for their exemplary conduct and dedication to upholding moral values.

A special message from Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia, Chairman, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group, Chancellor Apeejay Stya University, and Chairman, Apeejay Education, was also shared during the event, adding an inspirational touch. The message read:

“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 105th 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.”

The celebration concluded with the distribution of snacks and sweets, leaving students and staff members inspired by the legacy of Dr. Stya Paul and his unwavering commitment to human values and education.