The Art of Man-making: ‘I admire Dr Stya Paul’s determination to succeed despite roadblocks he faced’

She is only in class VII and already she is making waves – be it academics, she scored 94.6 per cent in class VI (is a scholar badge) or inculcating human values. She was recently conferred with the Dr Stya Paul Award for Human Values. Meet Anshu Luhach of Apeejay School, Charkhi Dadri in Haryana.

“It was in the first week of October this year, when I was called to the principal sir’s (Rudrendra Basak) office. I was scared since I had no idea why he would want to meet me but my teacher assured me it was nothing bad. When he told me that I had won the award I went into shock. I didn’t know how to react for a minute or two. The moment was so surreal,” Anshu said.

In an interview, she talks about her definition of human values and what she wants to pursue after class XII.

Had you heard of Dr Stya Paul Award for Human Values before?

Yes, definitely. I was in class VI when I came to know about this prestigious award that is given to students who exhibit good values. A friend in my class won this award. Back then, I too wanted to win and was confident that if I was ever nominated, I would surely win.

What would you like to pursue after class XII?

My favourite subject is Science. I love the fact that science has an explanation for everything. I hope that my result continues to be good especially in class X Boards so that I can take up the Science stream (non-medical). As of now, I want to do engineering.

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“The easiest deed that one can do is teach another person the importance of being a humanitarian. Teaching good values will make the earth a better place to live on”

–Anshu Luhach of Apeejay School, Charkhi Dadri

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How would you define human values?

Respecting each other’s emotions and feelings is how I would define human values. This particular value must be inside each person. Man is a social animal and we must all live in harmony. Helping others and being with them in their time of need is the most basic and common humanitarian gesture that one has to show.

Another important human value is the need to be disciplined. Also just because a person is better than you are, you should not be jealous. Instead, one must make an effort to take all his/her good qualities. No one is superior or inferior.  

What is the one aspect of Dr Stya Paul that inspires you?

He had a great personality. He chose a goal/target for himself and didn’t waver from it whatever the roadblocks and difficulties that came his way. Any other person would have given up but Dr Stya Paul was determined and because of that he went to set up a huge empire and set up schools and even a university. He is truly an inspiration for all of us.

Tell us about your teachers and parents.

I would give all the credit to them for shaping me into the person I am today. They have helped me gain academic highs and learn the importance of being human.

My father has a business and my mother is a homemaker. The best part is that they have never forced me to follow a particular path. Yes, they have ensured that once I chose a path, I never wavered from it.

What were some of the questions that were asked once you were nominated?

Some of them were centred on Dr Stya Paul – what values do you think he represented? There were four or five choices and I had to define each one of them.

What is the one good deed that one can do for others?

The easiest deed that one can do is teach another person the importance of being a humanitarian. Though people do charity, I think that it makes the other person dependent on you. Teaching good values will make the earth a better place to live on.