This school soars high in values as it celebrated Founder’s Day in honour of Dr Stya Paul

To honour the 105th birth anniversary of Dr Stya Paul, Apeejay International School, Greater Noida paid a befitting solemn shraddhanjali. The entire school – Principal, teachers, and students had gathered to pay their homage to the Founder-Chairman on the Founder’s Day.  The day began with the ceremonial lamp-lighting through the recitation of a shloka. It was followed by a scintillating Ganesh Vandana beautifully enacted by Ira Mishra that added a sense of serenity and devotion.

The theme for this year’s Founder’s Day, Soaring High Is My Nature, rang in the inspiring speeches and cultural performances that followed. Vice-head Girl, Sanchi Saxena, presented a thought-provoking talk on the theme, so urging everyone to have high standards for themselves and keep striving for excellence-be it personal or academic.

Adding to the spiritual ambience was the energetic display of students’ artistic talent in an apt soulful rendition of a Ram Bhajan. This was followed by another thought-provoking talk on the same theme by young Kabir Sinha of Class V whose words reflected the school’s emphasis that was not only on the grooming of any academic prowess but also generating a strong moral character in its students.

Celebration of the Human Values Spirit

The highlight of the day was the announcement of the coveted Dr Stya Paul Awards for Human Values. It is presented yearly to students whose lives exemplify the very tenets of integrity, kindness, and selflessness that Dr Paul envisioned for his holistic education. The awardees were:

Middle School Category: Ira Mishra

Secondary School Category: Amiya Akshum and Viraj

Senior Secondary Category: Riya Singh

A Message of Inspiration and Leadership

This was followed by a speech by Principal Dr Sarita Pande, who reflected on Dr Stya Paul’s legacy. She mentioned that we are grooming a generation not merely knowledgeable but also value-oriented. She then read out a message by 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).

Carry the Torch of Values Forth

The Principal’s speech, delivered in a fluid motion, reinforced the message: Education is not merely about textbooks but the balanced development of the individual. She has urged students toward the values of persistence and compassion in their everyday lives, telling them that success does not only mean good personal performance but a positive disposition to society.

The celebration ended yet again with another soulful rendering of the Ram Bhajan, which sent off the audience in peace and happiness. The function ended with a vote of thanks by School Head Boy, Piyush Samal, who thanked all participants and reminded everyone present that the school community will carry on the values and vision propounded by Dr Stya Paul.

The Founder’s Day at Apeejay International School Greater Noida strengthened the pledge of the Apeejay School community to carry Dr Stya Paul’s legacy and make the days ahead worthwhile for generations to come, where students can soar high not only in academics but in virtues and values!