Honouring the legacy of Dr. Stya Paul with heartfelt tributes and awards

Apeejay Svran Global School located in Faridabad, Sector 21-D celebrated its Founder’s Day recently, marking the 105^th birth anniversary of the visionary founder chairman Dr. Stya Paul. The event was a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of Dr. Paul, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to his mission and values.

The celebration began with a solemn lamp-lighting ceremony, presided over by the Principal, Ms. Priti Wason. The staff and students then paid floral tributes, honouring the memory of Dr. Stya Paul. Following this, Ms. Wason read out an emotional message from Dr. Paul’s daughter, Madam Sushma Paul Berlia, Chairman, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group, Chancellor Apeejay Stya University, and Chairman, Apeejay Education expressing a daughter’s deep admiration for her father’s vision and contributions.

The message read was:

“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 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 atmosphere was further enriched by soulful bhajans sung by the students, which filled the hall with serenity and devotion. The youngest students of the school added their charm to the event with an endearing song performance, while older students showcased inspirational dance performances, embodying the values cherished by Dr. Paul, such as integrity, humility, and respect.

A significant highlight of the celebration was the conferral of the prestigious Dr. Stya Paul Awards for Human Values. Selected students were honoured for their exemplary embodiment of these values, reflecting the founder’s vision. The awardees included Rudra Chowdhary (Class VIII), Riya Vohra (Class IX), and Advika Anil Thomas (Class XI), each receiving prize money for their achievements.

In addition to the cultural and award segments, an art competition was held for students from classes I to VIII, where participants creatively expressed human values through their artwork. The winners of the poster-making competition were announced, with students from various grades earning accolades for their artistic representations of the values promoted by Dr. Stya Paul.

The celebration concluded with a vote of thanks, leaving the audience with a renewed sense of pride and inspiration drawn from the life and values of the beloved founder. It was a day that reflected both reverence and joy, paying tribute to the legacy of Dr. Stya Paul and his enduring influence on the institution.