The world can be a complex and challenging place, especially for young people. Human values can provide students with a moral compass to help them make good decisions and deal with difficult situations. Human values like honesty, respect, responsibility, and compassion are essential for building a strong character and living a fulfilling life. Students who are instilled with human values are more likely to be kind, considerate, and helpful members of society.
They help students succeed in school and their careers. Hence, when a prestigious award like Dr Stya Paul Award for Human Values is given to Apeejayites it adds weightage to the CV. Today, employers increasingly value employees who have soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. These skills are often rooted in human values. Students who can demonstrate human values in their academic and professional lives are more likely to be successful.
Meet Taresh Datta, who was recently conferred with this coveted award. In a candid interview, this class IX student of Apeejay School, Model Town in Jalandhar talks about how honesty is the best policy.
Tell us about yourself.
I have already decided that I will take up Science when I go to class XI. I will take Physics, Chemistry, and Biology since I want to pursue medicine.
When and how did you come to know about these awards?
Before I was nominated for the awards this year, I was also nominated when I was in class VI. That is when I came to know about the Dr Stya Paul Award for Human Values. Unfortunately, I was not selected for the final round back then. I am lucky that the teachers, the school, and the management thought me to be worthy this time.
What was the process?
It was simple enough. Once the teacher told me that I had been nominated yet again, she took us through the process. She reiterated that these awards were prestigious and how to go about the same. The selection process began in August-September and the names were announced during the assembly on October 4, 2023 – Founder’s Day.
A trait that you admire about Dr Stya Paul.
What impresses me about his life is that despite being a person with a disability he never gave up hard work. Even on the day he left for his heavenly abode, he was getting ready for work. That too at the age of 90! This is commendable. The underlying message is – don’t let anything bog you down.
How would you define human values?
These are traits that you imbibe within and not something that you flaunt by clicking pictures and showing them to the world. These are values that you learn from your teachers and parents; in my case, it is my mother.
What traits have to learnt from her?
First, I would like to say that my mother is my best friend. She has always told me to be honest and work hard. I share everything with her. While it can be a bit tough, to be honest in the face of your friends who want you to hide things, I have devised a strategy to deal with this. I tell my friends I won’t tell my mother but the truth is that I don’t hide anything from her.
How have your teachers helped you inculcate human values?
When I was in class III, I was very naughty. But my teachers, including the headmistress ma’am, supported me in every way. They always motivated me and told me that I was capable of great things and I just needed to push myself a little.
How would you motivate others to do a good deed?
If I helped someone, I would tell them that instead of saying ‘thank you’, they should do a good deed for another person. This way the chain of kindness will start and remain unbroken since each individual will end up doing an act of kindness and slowly the world will become a better place to live in.