Hazaron Saal Nagris Apni Benoori Pe Roti Hai
Badi Mushkil Se Hota Hai Chaman Ma Deedawar Paida.
“His personality always remained dominant and vivid even in large gatherings as Almighty Allah blessed him tall physical stature imbibed with high Moral background”
“A good teacher is like a candle- It consumes itself to light the way for others.” This quotation by M. K Ataturk is best suited to Master Abdul Qadir Bhat popularly known as Master Ji who enlightened the lives of many. If we throw light on his entire professional career, he had an excellent beginning and a satisfactory end. As a teacher, he discharged his duties with full sincerity and dedication. He maintained the proper balance between his personal and professional life. His overall personality was molded with modesty, sincerity, honesty, and dedication. He utilized those traits during his entire service career. His service span expanded to more than three decades. Out of these, he spent the most time in service at Higher Secondary Shalimar. Apart from teaching, he took care of admission records there. He also performed his duties in the Pulwama district. Every staff member who worked with him is mentioning his name with due regard and respect.
His personality always remained dominant and vivid even in large gatherings as Almighty Allah blessed him with a tall physical stature imbibed with a high Moral background. Though he attained his post-graduation in history and B.Ed. from Kashmir University, his command in other subjects especially in Mathematics, English, and Geography is exemplary. Regarding the teaching of Mathematics and English as subjects, he was one of the well-versed figures in our locality who used to give free tuition to all during the winter vacation. His unique way of teaching geography and its associated concepts was extraordinary. His methodology of teaching Geography was very famous among his students and teachers.
The beneficiaries who attended his Geography classes shared their experience like this- “When Qadiri Sahab entered the classroom with Globe as Teaching Material Aid (TLM), every student got excited because they knew something new would be added to their Knowledge. They remained all the time alert and interested. The students got so involved and started to feel as if they had traveled all seven continents of the world”. As a teacher, he gave his best as per his knowledge and capacity and when he was elevated as the School Administrator/ Headmaster, he proved his mettle. Generally, when a teacher has been elevated to the administrative post, his/ her class work gets reduced but Qadri Sahab went against this tradition. Whenever a School Time was framed, he insisted his maximum inclusion of classes. He wanted to disseminate more and more knowledge to his students.
As he said, “The best teacher is one who enjoys the company of his students”. It was his deep passion for this profession that he continued his teaching even after his retirement. He joined the private educational institute- Alpha Educational Institute. In 2003, I got an opportunity a golden opportunity to accomplish my 11 days B. Ed practical Teaching Practice under his supervision at High School New Theed. I feel proud that those 11 days of teaching practice under his great guidance shaped not only my professional life but also my personal life. Also, that brief period allowed me to watch his professional activities very keenly. He had developed a very firm work culture. He remained punctual and never arrived late. He was trying his utmost to develop the same kind of attitude among all the staff members.
Let me share a few of my observations here. I never saw him rebuking or using any harsh words against anyone not even with school peon. As Head of the institution, I never saw him giving verbal direction or lessons to his subordinates, Instead, his actions and busy schedule during duty hours itself were enough to give direction to his subordinates. He was well aware of individual differences and human psychology. That is why while assigning duties to the subordinates, he gave due consideration to their skill and talent, he never put the extra burden or forced any of the staff members to accomplish any assignment. Instead, he first motivated subordinate staff and then assigned any work accordingly. This was the reason that wherever he worked, he left everlasting imprints While putting down his final remarks on my Lesson Plan Copy he said, “Dear Haroon, I could assign you full marks without attending this compulsory teaching practice but I deliberately remain strict during the entire session because I want you to grow in your professional career” Those words reverberated to me when I received the shocking news of his death that occurred on 30th August 2024. His gentle nature, patience, and sympathetic attitude, versatility in various subjects are acknowledged by the general public.
His contribution will be remembered for years to come. It would not be an exaggeration to say such a teacher deserves the national award for their best contribution to School Education. May Almighty Allah bless him the highest place in Jannat!
Haroon Rashid Bhat is a teacher by profession. He can be mailed at minamharoon123@gmail.com
