Achievements
The Art of Man-making: ‘It was a fan moment when I won the Dr Stya Paul Award for Human Values’
The winner of the prestigious award says that she would have never won had it not been for the encouragement from her teachers
Being in Apeejay School, Saket right from KG, it was natural for Shreya Lal, a student of class XI and vice-head girl, to have not only heard Dr Stya Paul’s life and his contribution to the field of education but also that he was a freedom fighter, a philanthropist, and an eminent industrialist. Shreya has recently gone into class XII.
“What inspires me about Dr Stya Paul is that despite being a person with a disability, he achieved so much and has left behind a legacy. When our teachers talked about him or when we heard his stories during various school functions, it didn’t even for a minute feel that he is no longer in our midst,” Shreya said.
Excerpts from an interview.
Tell us about yourself.
I am almost 17 years old and is now gone into class XII. In July last year, I was elected as the vice-head girl. I am the president of the Interact Club in the school. I am also the Zonal Interact representative (Zir) under the Rotary District 3011.
What does the work entail with the Interact Club?
Last year, in July I was elected president of the Interact Club in the school. Since then we have been working on various activities that we pick up from time to time. We create awareness among other students, do social work and help those who need it. We worked on a project on Girl Child – Girl Empowerment; it had the maximum impact.
Apeejay is so active when it comes to hosting events and functions. As a vice-head girl, I have to coordinate with the team to organise events like Dr Stya Paul Mathematics Quest and the cultural event – Chunauti. Our head girl is in class XII and it is not possible for her to devote so much time since it is Board year.
Being the Zir of the Interact Club, I have to manage the whole district; I also have to closely work with the Dir of the Interact Club at the district level. We do a lot of projects at the district level and it is my responsibility to coordinate the work.
How and when did you come to know that you had won the award?
My parents got the message to come to the school on a particular day. I was nervous since the message didn’t elaborate on the reason. I thought that maybe since I had been missing a few classes due to extracurricular activities, my grades had fallen. But when we went, we were told that I had won the Dr Stya Paul Award for Human Values.
What was your and your parents’ reaction?
It was such a great surprise. I had been nominated for the award even last year, but obviously, I didn’t make the cut. My parents have supported me in all my decisions – be it becoming the vice-head girl or Zir. They are happy with my achievements but it comes with a rider. My studies should not suffer. At the same time, they help me complete my schoolwork on time and sit with me late into the night. My mother helps me complete my course for the tests that I may have.
“I don’t consider a person human if they don’t have values. By virtue of my work with the Interact Club, I come across so many people. I have concluded that there are no good or bad people. It is the circumstances that make them react in a certain manner”
–Shreya Lal, Student of Apeejay School, Saket
How would you define human values?
I don’t consider a person human if they don’t have values. By virtue of my work with the Interact Club, I come across so many people. I have concluded that there are no good or bad people. It is the circumstances that make them react in a certain manner. I think if you are good to a person, over a period of time, that person will be good to you too; his attitude toward people will change for the better.
What role have your teachers played in solidifying human values in you?
I would not have been a Zir of the Interact Club had it not been due to the encouragement of my teachers. They were the ones who told me about this post and gave me exposure to the work that I am so actively involved with now. I didn’t even know that there was something called Rotary Interact Club until last year.
Teachers know your capabilities and push you. Yes, you feel overwhelmed but that is how you learn life’s lessons. Today, I know how to multi-task thanks to my teachers.
What inspiration do you take from Dr Stya Paul’s life?
It was such a fan moment when I won the award for human values. It is such a great feeling to be studying in a school that he started. And to reach this stage I had to clear two oral interviews and a written test. The first interview was with the class teacher and a few coordinators, the second interview was with the principal and vice-principal, and finally the written test.
