TalesofTraditions: ‘It’s a full circle at Apeejay’

Some families pass down a house or a recipe. The Nagpal family has passed down a school. Bharat Nagpal graduated from Apeejay School, Noida in 2009, went on to science and then engineering, and today he drops his daughter Kanushi, now in KG, at the same gates he once walked through. 

The ties go further: some of his own teachers are still there, and one of them taught both father and daughter. Seven children from his extended family now study at the Apeejay School, Noida. We spoke to him about what it feels like to see two generations share one school.

How does it feel to have two generations of your family associated with Apeejay?

It’s a very good experience. I was personally very enlightened by the way the school taught me, and my children are equally happy there. At Apeejay she goes almost every day and is always excited. She talks about her class teacher constantly.

How would you compare the school you studied in with the school your children attend?

There’s a gap in time, so the facilities have naturally moved on. But when it comes to teachers, it’s every bit as good as it was in my day. There were two teachers who taught both my son and daughter. That’s a lovely full-circle moment. I was very satisfied with my own years there, and the same teaching tradition continues today.

You studied science at Apeejay and then went on to engineering. How did the school shape that path?

The foundation I got there stayed with me. I did my science at Apeejay and then my engineering. I’m very satisfied with how it all turned out. Almost everyone in the family feels the same way. My brother-in-law’s sons and my sister-in-law’s son also study there. In all, we have seven kids studying at Apeejay School, Noida.

Was choosing Apeejay for your children a natural decision?

Yes. Being an alumnus was certainly one consideration. The second was the vicinity, since the school is very close to our house. And it’s simply a good school. It has been ranked among the best in Noida. Between the location, the reputation, and my own connection to it, choosing our own school was the obvious thing to do.

How do you see the quality of education and infrastructure at Apeejay?

Education is number one, and nobody questions that. Apeejay is one of the best when it comes to academics. The benches are up to the mark, and the classrooms have been modernised. They now have screens and air conditioning, which makes a real difference to the learning environment.