Coverage of Apeejay School of Management ‘s Convocation in Vocal

The campus of Apeejay School of Management (ASM) in Dwarka was buzzing with a sense of achievement and excitement as members of the Apeejay family, parents, fellow students of the outgoing and current batches gathered to mark the 23rd Convocation ceremony. Celebrating the achievements and successes of the graduates, Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) was awarded to the scholars from batches 2021-23 and 2022-24. A total of 92 students were conferred with diplomas.

This year, Apeejay School of Management was honoured to host Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia, Chairman, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group, Chancellor Apeejay Stya University, and Chairman, Apeejay Education as the chief guest, and Dr Neha Berlia, Co-Promoter, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group and Pro-Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University, as the special guest.

Among the other eminent dignitaries present were Dr. Etinder Pal Singh, Deputy Director at ASM, who delivered the welcome address, Dr. R P Hooda, Emeritus Professor, Prof. Vijay Vir Singh, Vice Chancellor of Apeejay Stya University, Dr. Renu Batra, Advisor for Higher Education at Apeejay Education and Former Additional Secretary at the University Grants Commission (UGC), Ms. Reetu Betala, Advisor – Design Education at AID, Prof. Ashok Ogra, Advisor at Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication (AIMC), Prof. Sajal Mukherjee, Director of AIMC, and faculty members from ASM and AIMC.

The graduation ceremony began with the academic procession walking in the hall followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia declaring the 23rd Convocation Ceremony open. The event further featured a short film on Dr Stya Paul, Founder Chairman of Apeejay Stya Group & Apeejay Education and the inspiration behind the Group, showcasing a glimpse of his illustrious life.

Congratulating the Apeejayites while expressing her happiness to be present on the occasion, Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia shared, “You will always be our students and our children in our hearts and in our minds. So I’m happy to call you the graduating class of 23 and the graduating class of 24. It’s my privilege to be here with you today on this day. And I’d like to begin with the quote, which is the inspiration behind our motto, soaring high 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). I have always thought of this quotation as something which is asked for reaching greater achievements. But it just reminded me that this couplet was read by our chairman, when he was in prison during the Quit India Movement in 1942. He was thrown there. Many of you, I’m sure, but most of our alumni at least, I would imagine, should be knowing that our chairman had polio when he was a young child. It’s a separate story that none of the challenges that he faced in life deterred him. I want you to remember that not only in your moments of achievements, which of course you must because achievements don’t stop, it’s a continuous process till the day we die. But on the other hand, I want you to remember this when we are in some of the deepest moments of our despair. When we think there is nothing worthwhile left in life, when we think we may be failures and not being able to achieve what we want. I want you to remember , we are falcons and soaring high is our nature.”

Urging the graduates to reflect on the constants of life, Mrs Berlia further added, “The clarion call is to remember that behind this despair, there is always sunshine. Sorrow comes, sorrow goes; happiness comes, happiness goes. That does not mean we should not aspire and desire instruments of momentary happiness. But each one of us needs to find something within us which always is a constant source of joy and happiness. What that is is for us to discover within ourselves.”

he further highlighted , “Some of us are looking forward to hearing what is the mantra of success in life. But let me tell you, I never strived for achievements. What I wanted to do is what I wanted to do. Everything just follows. And those achievements are not mine. Those achievements I have always laid at the feet of my father because it’s his inspiration, his igniting that spark within me, his making me believe in myself. You need to put in self effort and in order for self effort, first, before you even start making self effort, the most important thing is passion and determination, rather determination of passion.”

Sharing her words of wisdom, Mrs Berlia shared, “Institution pride comes from the achievement of its own students. When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds. Your mind transcends limitations. Your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world.”

Extending her gratitude, Dr Neha Berlia said, “I am delighted to be here with all of you at Apeejay School of Management on its 23rd Convocation. At the outset, I extend my special thank you to our chairman, our chief guest and my mother Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia for joining us here today and for her inspiring thoughts and leadership. I also want to express my heartfelt thanks to the entire ASM team for their help in organising the Convocation. Over the past 30 years, ASM has carved out a strong reputation in management education and we are all proud of ASM’s top ranking. I thank the entire ASM team for their continued dedication and hard work.”Dr Berlia further expressed, “Apeejay Education’s beginning lies in the unbroken vision of my late grandfather Dr Stya Paul. His vision, inspiration, the custodian of which is our Chairman, my mother Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia . Both my grandfather and my mother shall always be my guiding lights of truth and wisdom and all that is good within us. It is a deep privilege for me to continue to help lead this legacy today. As an Apeejay alumna and now an Apeejay parent, Convocation is one of my favourite events. It is a celebration of our students and their well-earned accomplishments. A celebration certainly of the parents and families who entrusted us. A celebration certainly of the hard work and dedicated faculty and team members. But above all, today is the celebration of our great nation whose future our graduates represent.”

Concluding her speech, Dr Neha Berlia said, “Education is neither a beginning nor an end. It is a bridge not just between the past and the present but also between today and the better world we hope to build tomorrow. To you graduates, I share that you are the true meaning of our Apeejay symbol. You are the soaring falcon – the shaheen – your potential is as endless as the sky. Take what you have learned here and do not stop to unleash your full potential. I would like to quote poet Iqbal’s words ‘Shaheen Kabhi parwaz se thak kar nahin girta, Auqabi Rooh Jab Baidar Hoti Hai Jawanon Mein Nazar Ati Hai Iss Ko Apni Manzil Asmanon Mein’ (The falcon never tires of flight . When the spirit awakens in its youthful heart, it sees its goal only beyond the heavens). These were ideals of my grandfather, a freedom fighter, who tirelessly worked in opening the first of our Apeejay schools and all our institutions today . These are my mother’s ideals, these are my ideals and these eternal ideals of Apeejay. My best wishes again to all our graduates for the future.”

Dr Etinder Pal Singh read out the annual achievement report while sharing, “Convocation is a day of great pride as we recognise the achievements of graduates.”

Expressing his joy in this proud moment, Aditya Anand Jha, the gold medalist from the PGDM batch 2021-23, “My journey at ASM has been a euphoric one. From being a timid shy guy to today when the degree is being conferred upon, I really feel the change, not only in terms of professional growth but also in terms of personal advancements. One of the beautiful things about ASM is its mentor-mentee relationship. The mentors are always there to guide you.I am glad to have received this achievement.”

Silver medalist from the batch of 2021-23 Kajal Kumari expressed, “I am very delighted as I have bagged the second position in my batch and have also topped in the field of HR. Wherever I am today and for all my achievements, I extend my gratitude to ASM, which has played a vital role in my career. The faculty and pedagogy provided by ASM is just outstanding.”

The students were administered an oath of integrity and ethical performance. They were also formally inducted into the ASM alumni family by Sagar Chopra and Blossom Kaur of 2020-22 batch. The celebration concluded with the singing of the national anthem.