Celebrating birthday of Chairperson Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia: A beacon of Inspiration

By Meenakshi Maharshi

The auditorium at Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication was filled with excitement and happiness on November 2, 2023, as everyone came together to celebrate the birthday of a very special person – Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia, the cherished daughter of Apeejay Group’s esteemed founder Dr. Satya Paul. Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia is the Chairperson, Apeejay Education and Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University.

She is an international conglomerate with diverse business interests spanning in India and beyond. Furthermore, she is the Chairperson of Apeejay Education, which has a network of 26 prestigious educational institutions across India. Her unwavering passion for education serves as a profound source of inspiration for everyone.

As all the students stepped into the college premises, a wave of excitement filled the air as the campus was adorned with vibrant decorations. They all gathered in the auditorium for a special celebration.

The celebration began with anchors taking up the stage and inviting Prof. Sajal Mukherjee, Director, Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication. His words resonated with warmth and admiration as he painted a vivid picture of Mrs. Berlia’s remarkable journey. He spoke of her unwavering determination, her trailblazing achievements, and her invaluable contributions to the Apeejay Stya and Svran Group. The audience was thoroughly captivated as the story that unfolded was that of a pioneer in India.

Mrs. Berlia was the first woman to lead a
multi-state apex chamber of commerce in India, serving as the President of the PHDCCI in
2005-06. She was also the first woman in India to lead her own pharmaceutical company. Mrs. Berlia was the first woman entrepreneur of a major educational group in India.

The admiration and curiosity of the students peaked further as the list of accolades and positions held kept on increasing!

Madam President is a former Member of the Board of Governors, IIT Roorkee; and Former Chairperson, Board of Governors, NIT, Jalandhar. She is the Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council on Business Facilitation and Global Competitiveness and is a member of the National Management Committees of ASSOCHAM and FICCI.

Recently, she was felicitated with the Legendary Shiromani Award for Excellence in Education at the NRI World Summit 2022, United Kingdom. Very recently, she delivered a special address in the House of Lords, UK, at the ‘2022 London Global Convention on Corporate Governance and Sustainability’, which was much appreciated and applauded.

After the introduction, Prof. Etinder Pal Singh, Deputy Director, Apeejay School of Management, stepped forward to share a heartfelt letter penned by Mrs. Berlia herself. Although Mrs. Berlia couldn’t be physically present, her words carried immense wisdom and love to all members of the Apeejay family. In a powerful moment of unity, the students stood together and took a solemn pledge along with Mrs. Berlia’s ideas and words. As her carefully crafted words echoed through the auditorium, they fueled the determination of every student to make a positive impact on the world.

The inspiring session was followed by the diverse talents of Apeejay students, which were on display, with captivating musical and poetic performances. Ms. Sweta’s melodious rendition left the audience enchanted, while Ms. Snigdha’s poetry painted vivid emotional landscapes, leaving a lasting impression. Mr. Vikas continued the poetic journey with his captivating verses, showcasing his remarkable ability to evoke deep emotions.

Lastly, Mr. Anmol’s thought-provoking poem wrapped up the evening, leaving the audience with much to contemplate, making the event a remarkable showcase of artistic expression and creativity.

Leaving the auditorium, the students made their way to the amphitheater to pay a their repsect to Mrs. Berlia. Students released multitudes of colourful balloons into the sky, symbolising gratitude and appreciation for her immense contributions to education and society.