The Art of Man-Making: ‘Respect is a two-way street; what you give, you receive’

We live in a globalised world, where human values play an important role in promoting cooperation amongst people. It is indispensable for humans to embody human values to maintain moral principles, endure compassion, and spread a sense of integrity. Meet Roopanshi Marwaha, a student of class XII, studying at Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg who was recently conferred with the Dr Stya Paul Award for Human Values.

In an impromptu interview, she talks about how human values promote altruism and kindness.

Excerpts from the interview

Tell us about yourself.

I am a passionate writer. I belong to the non-medical stream and my goal is to become an engineer. I am planning to take the JEE exam this year. I believe my writing skills can make a big difference and inspire others who share my interests.

What do you precisely understand by human values?

They aren’t just about personal actions instead, they are about the positive influence we can have on others. We should apply these values to ourselves. It’s not always about doing something grand; even a small gesture can have a significant impact on society. For instance, if you think someone looks beautiful today, compliment them. You never know how much your kind words can brighten someone’s day.

How do you contribute to the society through human values?

As I mentioned earlier, I love to write and spread awareness online. For me, words speak a lot more than action. I intend to convey my message to a mass audience through the weight of my words. I wish to voice my experiences so that people can get some inspiration. People these days lack motivation; I believe in contributing and motivating people through my writing.

What inspires you about Dr Stya Paul?

He has always been my role model, and receiving an award named after him is a significant accomplishment for me. The way he said, “Main akela hi chala thha janib-e-manzil magar log saath aate gaye aur karwaan banta gaya. (I had started alone, knowing the destination, but people kept joining, and the caravan continued to grow.) For that matter, I abide by what he said. If you have the strength to walk alone, you can achieve everything.

I admire his courage to stand alone and achieve big things in life. He remained selfless throughout his journey and this is more than commendable. I wish to imbibe certain attributes that he possessed like dedication, consistency, and endurance.

What was your reaction to getting this award?

Every student at Apeejay aspires to attain this prestigious award. I am filled with immense gratitude for earning it.  It was a dream I had cherished for years, and I finally received it in my final year of school. I had set my sights on this goal since I was in class VI.

How can one get nominated for this award?

It’s essential to be honest with yourself. If you lack it, you can make a conscious effort to develop it. To truly respect others, you must begin by respecting yourself. It is a mutual exchange of courtesy and consideration.