The Art of Man-Making: ‘Dr Stya Paul has taught me to embrace challenges and turn them into triumphs’

Akriti Garg, a class XII student at Apeejay School, Pitampura, feels the school life has been the best experience of her life that she will hold dear to herself forever. Aspiring for CA, her favourite subjects are Mathematics and Accountancy. She owes all her success to her teachers and parents and believes they are the biggest driving force that helped her reach maximum capabilities and perform.

Her thoughts about society today are that it is highly materialistic and lacks values like punctuality, sincerity, and respect. Having said so, she believes that the world can still become better if each one of us learn to motivate these core values and stride towards attaining bigger, higher, better goals.

Excerpts from the interview. 

Were you apprehensive about receiving this award?

Since I was selected out of so many students, I felt extremely happy and proud when I received the award. I had a feeling, from the start, that I would bag this award so I even prepared a short thank you note in advance for my teachers.

What are the core values that are relevant in society?

The main value, according to me, is respect. The value of respect is missing big time amongst the youth particularly. It’s sad to see that the young generation is using such crass and abusive words for elders. Misbehaving with others has become so prevalent today and it is considered cool and a status symbol amongst the youth. Respect towards elders, sincerity, honesty – these are few basic values every person should display in society.

How much do you identify with the motto – Soaring High is my Nature?

I believe in this motto totally. For me, the best way to do anything in life is through hard work and smart work both. Using both we can achieve any goal or any difficult task. I feel the motto motivates each student at school – be it a weak student or an average performer or a topper. I accept that soaring high is in my nature and acts as a reminder to be able to reach those heights that will make my teachers and parents proud.

What is your philosophy about life?

I can’t comment much on this since I have a long way to experience and learn many things in life. Right now my focus is to work hard, I need to reach heights, and I want to make my parents proud so that I become financially independent and then I can enjoy and explore other things in life.

What is your driving force after receiving this award?

My teachers always suggested that I should maintain the same good behavior and value system even after receiving this award. I shouldn’t feel arrogant, rather keep this achievement as something to cherish for life. My biggest driving force and teaching in life is to be a good human being so that no one regrets why this award was given to me.

Who do you dedicate this award to?

I dedicate this award to my mother. She has been the one who has instilled all good habits, values and qualities in me. She has taught me to be fearless in any crisis and has me capable of winning this award today. So she has the greatest role to play in every achievement of my life.

Which part really inspires you out of Dr Stya Paul’s life?

The biggest part of his life that motivates me a lot in life is the fact that he was not born with a silver spoon. He rose from all adversities, he was never financially well off, was physically challenged but still through his hard work and sincerity built this great education institute. He taught me how to accept the challenges in life and turn them into successful stories.