The Art of Man-making: ‘I want to live, work and die for humanity’

She not only pursued her graduation from Apeejay Institute of Management and Engineering Technical Campus (AIMETC), but she is also studying MBA from AIMETC. Born and brought up in Jalandhar Manya Wadhera after completing her Class XII, she chose to study at Apeejay.

“When I joined AIMETC in 2019, I heard that a special award is given to students who exhibit certain values and have a good academic record. At that time I didn’t know the name of the award. But then last year, when I was nominated, I was thrilled. What was even better was when I was told that I had won,” Wadhera said.

Excerpts from an interview.

What inspiration do you draw from Dr Stya Paul’s life?

I have only heard stories of Dr Stya Paul’s hard work and his struggle to reach the pinnacle of his profession. While it may be impossible to walk in his footsteps, one can take a leaf out of his life and try to at least try and be a little like him. If I can achieve even a fraction of what he did, I will be in a happy zone.

How tough is it to walk the road less traveled?

Nothing in life is easy. To achieve anything in life one has to work hard to achieve it. If you get everything handed to you on a platter, that success or achievement is hollow. What you achieve on your own after putting in hard work leaves you with a euphoric feeling of being victorious. When you start fearing failures, you become an artist. That is what I want to do – take my failures as lessons for success.

What do human values mean to you?

It is tough to define human values since they can mean different things to different people. For me, human values mean to be human towards all things living. I want to live for humanity and work for humanity and die for humanity.

What was your reaction when you won the award?

Throughout my college life, I have been part of several co-curricular activities, I was part of the NSS group and worked with various NGOs. So, when the faculty decided to nominate my name I felt that my good work had been validated. During my college days, we went around areas of Rama Mandi and cleaned those so that people could have hygienic living. We also educated people from these areas about the dangers of littering. Not that I was working so that I am given an award but it feels good that your hard work is being recognised.

I love pets and feed them three square meals a day with the help of my friends. I have been doing this much before I joined college and not because I thought I would be awarded later in life.

“Nothing in life is easy. To achieve anything in life one has to work hard to achieve it. If you get everything handed to you on a platter, that success or achievement is hollow”

-Manya Wadhera, MBA student at Apeejay Institute of Management and Engineering Technical Campus

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How do you raise money to feed them?

We are a group of friends who have come together; we raise money from within our society and if we fall short, we put in money of our own. To feed these strays rotis, we have employed a few women who make them and we pay them. In some ways, we are also creating employment for these women. We give cattle feed to the cow shelters as well. I have six dogs whom I feed on my own. So, it is not as if I pick and choose strays.

We also pay for surgeries for any stray that needs it. We also provide medication for them if they fall ill. My father loves pets too and in most cases recommends medicines for these strays when needed.

Have you decided on your specialisation for MBA?

Not yet; this is my first semester. But I am interested in HR and business entrepreneurship. Once the time is right I will sit down with my counselor and decide which one to take up. I want to be an entrepreneur; I have won the TiE Young Entrepreneurs Program with a cash prize of Rs 20,000. I want to do my business ethically. I see the things Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia, Co-Promoter and President of Apeejay Stya and Svran Group, Chairperson, Apeejay Education, and Chancellor Apeejay Stya University, has achieved. I too would want to be a little like her.

What was your parents’ reaction when you won the award?

They were thrilled; they were proud that at least there are people out there who appreciate the work that is being done. My brother is working for an NGO abroad. When we fall short of money, he too contributes.

What role has the faculty at AIMETC played in your life?

They have been a big part of my life. I have learnt so much. There are times when you get stuck and don’t know how to move ahead. The faculty has stepped in and guided me. They have changed me so much – they helped me overcome my fears and once I was able to do this, I bloomed.