The Art of Man-making: ‘Dr Stya Paul’s life in truly inspiring’

The pace of change in the world is so rapid and competitive that children cannot rely solely on academics to attain success. Education is meant to prepare us for life, encompassing more than just academic or technical qualifications. In 1999, the World Health Organization identified six essential areas of life skills, among which was self-awareness and empathy.

Therefore, it is not surprising that young guns today are becoming true champions of human values. Meet Kangna Vig, a student of Class IX at Apeejay School, Model Town in Jalandhar. It is not just her academic journey that has consistently demonstrated exceptional results but her compassion, kindness, and empathy toward the wider community that needs to be lauded.

In a candid interview, she talks about how and why she was the recipient of the prestigious Dr Stya Award for Human Values.

How were you chosen for the Dr Stya Paul Award for Human Values?

My name was first nominated by the teachers and the same was conveyed to my parents. There were a couple of rounds of interviews; this was followed by a written test. I am lucky that I managed to clear all the rounds and managed to win this prestigious award.

Did you prepare for this beforehand?

We were not given any time. The teacher nominated my name along with two-three other students and we were asked to go for an interview. And even if I had been given time, I would not do anything different. We have all heard of the inspirational life that Dr Stya Paul led.

What were some of the things that you had heard about him?

I have read Dr Stya Paul sir’s quotes and heard stories from the teachers of his life about how humble he was and always ready to help those in need. The best part was that he never tried to show or brag about the fact that he was doing charity. I was also told that he was extremely kind and despite being a person with disabilities he achieved great highs.

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I have read Dr Stya Paul sir’s quotes and heard stories from the teachers of his life about how humble he was and always ready to help those in need. The best part was that he never tried to show or brag about the fact that he was doing charity

–Kangna Vig, a student of Class IX at Apeejay School, Model Town, Jalandhar

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What are some of the charities that you are associated with?

It is not as if I am associated with a charity organisation. My family and I adopt strays. This started four years back when I came back home with a pup off the streets. Usually, if we find a stray, a pup all alone, I bring it home. At present, we have two dogs – Diti and Blackie. The good thing is that my parents are extremely supportive of what I do.

The importance of adopting strays.

It is not just about dogs. People must adopt all kinds of strays including cats and even cows. It is tough to look after cows since we live in cities, so our aim should be to look for a gaushala in our city and have them pick up the cow and give them a place of shelter. Or one can even visit a gaushala and do volunteer work there.

What role have your teachers played in your life? And what about your parents?

Teachers are our guides and mentors. They are the ones who impart knowledge. They also teach us the importance of being kind and hard work. When it comes to my parents, I would say that all credit goes to them. My mother is a homemaker and my father is a Chartered Accountant. They taught me to be kind, humble, and to help others, to always speak the truth and not lie.

Is it tough to follow these principles?

Not at all. It is only difficult for those who always lie and are not honest in their dealings. But what’s the use of lying? It only causes more problems in the long run. And a lie always gets caught.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be an archaeologist. I am very interested in history. That’s why I am so passionate about archaeology. It allows me to explore and uncover ancient civilisations and learn about their customs and traditions. I find it fascinating to study how people lived in the past and the impact of historical events on their lives. Archaeology is like being a detective, piecing together clues from artifacts and structures to understand the story of a particular time and place.