‘The Art of Man-making: The cornerstones of personal success lie in imbibing human values’

He never steps down to embrace new challenges and believes them to be opportunities to develop resilience and gain insight. His firm mindset follows how to cultivate curiosity, seek knowledge, and remain open to new experiences. Meet Aarav Sudan, of Class XI at Apeejay School, Sector 15, Faridabad, who received the prestigious Dr Stya Paul Award for Human Values. In a candid interview, he shares how to reflect regularly on progress, celebrate achievements, and learn from setbacks.

How did you feel after receiving the prestigious award?

I felt happy, for I felt as if my silent efforts made over the years had been recognised by the school. It was a moment of pride for me and a truly ecstatic experience. 

 What are the core human values you believe are relevant in today’s time?

The core values I believe to be relevant are ambition, insight, humility and inquisitiveness. These four values act as my cornerstones; I believe that the mix of these leads to the apex of man-making for anyone ambitious yet humble, insightful yet inquisitive covers all his bases in society, climbing the ladder of success along with his peers.

How do you resonate with the motto- soaring high is my nature?

I resonate deeply with the motto. The vision of ambition showcased in the motto is truly mesmerising, as ambition, though often misunderstood, is the most effective driving force of humans. It is only through ambition instilled in me that I was able to win this award.

What is your philosophy for leading a good life?

Honesty and silence. To lead a good life, always be honest with those willing to listen, and be silent with the ignorant people who wish to bring you down. Only then can a person lead a fulfilling and peaceful life.

What is your driving force after receiving this award?

This award, in my eyes, is just a stepping stone in my journey, and my driving force is the same as earlier, to lead an impactful life, ideally one in which I am remembered fondly for my actions.

What are the basic human values people lack? How to work on them?

In society today, the value that people lack the most is empathy.  We have stopped caring about others and are becoming insensitive robots due to social media. To work on improving this, the culture on social media should change to be more inclusive, still funny and light, but not targeted at bullying.