The Art of Man-making: ‘We need to cultivate human values we are born with’

Human beings have become selfish today. It is all about I, Me, and Myself. And nobody will find fault with this mantra. Some people subscribe to the: Taking care of yourself is the pathway to fulfillment and high performance in work and life. Therefore, every act of giving, caring, and being humble needs to be lauded. Apeejay’s Dr Stya Paul Award for Human Values is a much-coveted and prestigious award given annually to select students of Apeejay for imbibing core human values and diligently practicing them in life through actions, behaviour, and conduct.

For Preksha Khandelwal, a Commerce student (no Math) who recently passed out of class XII from Apeejay School, Noida, being a class Prefect only added to her already full calendar – studies and ensuring that she does her bit for the community so that the entire nation can move ahead as one.

“There is so much competition today and not I don’t say that all of it is healthy. There is negative competition around us and we need to get over it and come together and work for the betterment of the community as a whole,” Khandelwal said, who is now busy sitting for various exams where she can apply for under-graduation studies.

In an impromptu interview, she talks about what is meant to win this prestigious Dr Stya Paul Award for Human Values among other things.

“If we move together as a community we can conquer the world. And this is only possible through education. Every citizen of India should have the right to education. It plays a huge role in our lives”

–Preksha Khandelwal, Class XII student, who recently passed out from Apeejay School, Noida

Tell us about how you ended up getting the award.

While I had not heard about this award till my name was nominated by my teacher. It happened so quickly. I was told that I had to go for an interview with our vice-principal ma’am. It was a very relaxed atmosphere where I was asked a few simple questions. I was very calm since the questions were easy enough. I then had an interview with the principal sir. I was then asked to sit for a written test.

What were some of the questions that you were asked?

I was asked: What was the difference between sympathy and empathy? I was also asked: What were some qualities humans must exhibit and practice daily?  

What are your plans for the future?

I am at present, studying to sit for various entrance exams to different colleges. I am also preparing for CUET so that I can apply to different colleges at the University of Delhi. I am also looking at some foreign colleges as well and applying for Business Studies.

How would you define human values?

I would say that these are not special values. These are values that we are all born with. The only rider is that we have to cultivate them. We have to practice them in our daily lives. Kindness, empathy, and community service are some human behaviours that each one of us must follow even as we go about doing our chores.

Why can’t people cultivate these values?

There is a lot of negative competition among people today. People believe that their self must come first. And therefore, they don’t think about others at all. To make a difference, we must move ahead as a community. Individual contributions are good but to make this world a better place, we have to move forward as a community. Putting oneself before others is what is holding us back as a nation.

What is the most important value one should hold?

This was the question that our principal also asked me during the interview. If we move together as a community we can conquer the world. And this is only possible through education. Every citizen of India should have the right to education. It plays a huge role in our lives. You learn the importance of human values only if you are educated.

What are some of the activities that you are a part of?

I have been volunteering since I was in class IX. I was also part of an NGO that provides holistic development and education to young people. I joined Girl Up as well in class XII; it is a campaign of the United Nations Foundation dedicated to securing equal opportunities for underprivileged adolescent girls in developing countries.

What role have your parents and teachers played?

I come from a very humble background. And my parents have helped me stay this way. It was not something that they taught me specifically, but they did tell me that being kind to others is important. And this can start with people around you including your peers.