To observe the revered Founder-Chairman Dr Stya Paul’s 105th birth anniversary, Apeejay School, Noida celebrated October 4 with pride and gratitude. The tribute was apt and befitting of his visionary leadership along with his long-enduring legacy as it reminded everyone of the institute’s core values.
The day began auspiciously, with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp to symbolise wisdom and knowledge. This was followed by a beautiful shradhanjali where students paid their homage to Dr Stya Paul with beautiful soul-stirring bhajan performances that created a reverence and devotion-filled room.
The session then went on to an interactive ‘Thought of the Day’, where students came forward to give inspiring reflections about their learnings from Dr Stya Paul. These words were reflective of integrity, perseverance, and striving for excellence — which is something that the Founder-Chairman held close to his heart and infused into school culture.
Inspiring Tributes and Performances
Highlights of the day included a speech tracing the journey and the inimitable contribution of Dr Stya Paul to education. The speaker highlighted how the Founder-Chairman’s vision for holistic education is at the very core of the ethos that governs Apeejay School.
To add to the festive spirit, a cultural dance performance was also enacted beautifully enacting the traditional dance form of Arunachal Pradesh. It highlighted the rich cultural heritage of India and underlined the emphasis of Apeejay School to nurture excellence not only in academics but also to develop one’s artistic talent.
Principal’s Address: A Call to Uphold Values
Principal Ms Ritu Kohli encapsulated the crux of the Founder’s Day celebrations through her address. She brought forth a special message from Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia, Chairman, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group, Chancellor Apeejay Stya University, and Chairman, Apeejay Education:
“Today is the 105th Birth Anniversary of Dr Stya Paul, Founder-Chairman of Apeejay Stya Group & Apeejay Education – a day that we celebrate each year as Founder’s Day. An eminent industrialist, educationist, freedom fighter and philanthropist of the highest order, his life is a shining example of how we can overcome all odds to achieve our dreams and become a beacon of inspiration for all around us.
Commemorating his birthday is our way of paying tribute to his determination, hard work and spirit of excellence that helped him rise from humble beginnings and overcome physical disabilities to become one of the most successful and respected men of this nation.
Your Principal/Director must have shared some details of his life and work with all of you, but merely words cannot depict or reflect the illustrious achievements of his life, or the depths of his multidimensional personality. I would like to, however, take advantage of the occasion to mention a few things which stand out in my mind – some feelings which I would like to share with all of you.
The eldest of seven children, Dr Stya Paul lost his mother at a very young age and father a few years later. As the eldest son, business and family responsibilities came to rest on his shoulders, very early in life. They were shouldered with lots of love and affection, and from then onwards, he developed the trait of putting others before himself. He was, if anything, a living example of modesty and humility, and preferred to let his work speak for him.
He had the valuable qualities of hard work, fearlessness and love for truth and these stood him in good stead as he pioneered the Apeejay Stya Group into an industrial conglomerate, and Apeejay Education (which is a Social Commitment of the Group) into one of the most respected and successful educational organisations of India.
Today Apeejay Education has 26 Educational Institutions – Schools and Higher Education Institutes – all symbols of excellence in their various disciplines, moulding the life and careers of all future generations. Year 2010 also saw the realisation of his dream of setting up the Apeejay Stya University – a world-class university that is not only a seat of global learning but also one that brings about transformation of society through value-based, man-making and nation-building education.
Once, I had asked him as to how, from humble beginnings, he had been able to turn Apeejay Stya into one of the biggest success stories of the nation. He had replied that he had only concentrated on working hard with dedication and commitment as he believed that “Work is Worship”. He said that along the way, he met talented and committed people who joined him in his quest for excellence, and good things kept happening.
Over the years, he has been actively associated with several causes – in the field of industry, education and social uplift. Kind, benevolent, and ever-ready to help all, he left a lasting impact on all those he came into contact with. All this was done quietly; he never took any credit, only liked to pass it around. He desired no monuments or awards for himself, though over the years, innumerable awards and honours have been conferred on him by governments, universities and organisations for his contribution to the development of the nation, in both education and industry.
Dr Stya Paul was always a positive thinker, who faced all of life’s vicissitudes with a smiling countenance, never-say-die attitude and an unflinching faith in the Almighty. Though he was a hard task-master, his punctuality, sense of discipline, dedication and focus made him an ideal role model of excellence for all those who worked with him. For him, work was passion, and he hated to miss office even when he was ill. He had a sharp memory for people, was an excellent listener, apart from being a good orator and writer.
He was a lover of Urdu poetry and had a deep interest in spiritualism, philosophy, culture and Arts. He had a keen insight into events and people, and loved the company of children. He always remembered those who helped him, and was a friend of friends. He had kind words for even those who opposed him.
Once, many years ago, Swami Ranganathananda of the Ramakrishna Mission, said three words to him: “Be a Man”. This, my father told me, changed the entire perspective of his life. Today, I would like to convey to everyone that this is what he had always been, in life and deed – a man, in the true sense of the word – Purushottam.
So, as we remember and honour him on his 105th Birth Anniversary, let us celebrate both what our Founder Chairman Dr. Stya Paul was, and what he stood for. Let us take a pledge to uphold the legacy of excellence that he leaves behind, and strive to achieve the goals to which he devoted his life.
I would like to end with one of the favourite Urdu couplets of my father, the inspiration behind his life and the motto of Apeejay Education – “Soaring High is My Nature”. Tu shaheen hai parvaaz hai kaam tera Tere samne aasman aur bhi hai. (You are a falcon. Soaring high is your nature. There are skies yet for you to conquer).
Ms Kohli went on to explain the motto of the school: “Soaring High is My Nature.” It taught students to strive for the same in whatever endeavour they undertook. Dr Stya Paul’s philosophy of integrity, hard work, and lifelong learning should inspire and guide the students in their further academic pursuits as well as through their social and personal lives.
Awarding Brilliance: Prize Distribution
The Founder’s Day included a much-awaited initiation of announcements and presentations related to the coveted Dr Stya Paul Award and the Apeejay Talent Search Examination awards. The achievements of the students were applauded for their invaluable contributions. But that’s not all. This achievement also marked the recent win of Apeejay School, Noida at the rather popular tech symposium “Incognito,” conducted by Somerville School, Noida.
Celebrating Legacy and Unity
Along with the reverberations of “Soaring High is My Nature”, the event turned out to be yet another strong reminder of the visionary held by Dr Stya Paul. He has inspired every member of the Apeejay family to reach new heights.
The Founder’s Day at Apeejay School, Noida showed a renewed commitment and enthusiasm among the students, teachers, and parents. As the school moves forward on its next leg, it will be evident that the torch of its Founder-Chairman will light up its path, and the institutional efforts will continue to breathe with the spirit of “Soaring High”.