By: RAYEES AHMAD KUMAR
Retirement from government services marks an important phase of a government employee. It is also a transition phase in one’s life. Different persons view and take it differently according to their own set of experiences, opinions and tastes. Retirement is a life event that can come with a mix of emotions: smiles and tears, excitement and uncertainty, a career full of memories and a future full of possibilities.
Retirement of a person from routine government service marks an important phase in one’s life. His /her aspirations, demands and needs abruptly see a change when he/she retires from his/ her services. It is both a challenge as well as a blessing. If you are wise enough and know the value of time, you can enjoy your post retirement days by engaging yourself in different activities which can further develop your personality. Reading good books, writing, doing prosocial deeds, visiting your relationships occasionally and helping people in distress not only fetch you peace of mind but also relieve you from the tensions associated with post retirement. Retirement of a person proves a challenge and a curse only when he /she doesn’t know how to use and enjoy the post retirement days.
Yesterday a prominent and popular maths teacher of Ganderbal District Mohd Maqbool Rather I/C Headmaster Govt Boys High school Anderwan, retired from his services after rendering a transparent service carrier spread over three decades in the education department. Born in a remote village of Yarmuqam , some twelve kilometres from the main town and district headquarter of Ganderbal, Mohd Maqbool Rather has done his schooling from the local public schools. Later on he graduated in science subject from prestigious Islamia College of science and Commerce, Hawal Srinagar a semi-government institution of the city. He also has done his bachelor of education (B.Ed) from Kashmir University. In nineties when the valley was engulfed in armed turmoil, Mr Maqbool got absorbed as a teacher in government service from the erstwhile Srinagar district. Ganderbal lately in 2007 was carved from Srinagar as a full-fledged district during Gh Nabi Azad’s reign.
Maqbool sahib during his tenure has served in many institutions of Srinagar and Ganderbal, few of these include Govt HSS Hariganiwan, Govt Secondary School Gund, IRI School Soura, BMS Yarmuqam etc. Lastly from Govt Secondary School Anderwan Ganderbal he has retired on 30th April.
To felicitate his contribution and to give a regard for his services, a grand farewell ceremony was held in his honour at famous Manasbal Lake Park of the district and at famous Mughal Garden Shalimaar a couple of weeks ago in view of forthcoming month of fasting. These days when the educational institutions of the valley have been closed due to surge in COVID daily cases, a formal farewell function was organised in the school premises to highlight his best services. All the staff members, civil society groups and the residents of the habitation have graced this important occasion amidst strong SOPs and adherence of the administrative guidelines. On the occasion I too presented my authored debut book ” NOBLE THOUGHTS” to the retiring headmaster.
All the staff members amid tearful eyes bad an adieu to their loving colleague and accorded a warm send off on the occasion. In their retirement note to Maqbool sahib, they remembered his dedication, zeal and people friendly attitude of service carrier. Indeed teachers like Maqbool sahib are seldom found these days, When education is commercialised by those having materialistic mind and who sell even their talent, knowledge and experience just to accumulate money and wealth. Reporting on time to his duties, teaching with noble intentions and zest are among his pious qualities. That is why tears rolled down from the eyes of every staff member while saying goodbye to Maqbool sahib. In his message , one of the genius and hardworking teacher Mr Irshad-ul Haq has posted on Watsapp group of the institution…. ” Happy Retirement @Maqbool Sahib HM
It hurts so much to say goodbye. But it’s the perfect occasion to let you know that you were the best teacher of our District.
You were epitome of hard work, dedication, regularity and punctuality. You were full of energy, Zest and Hope till last day of your service. You performed your duties like a role model. We will always be your biggest and greatest admirers.
Honesty, integrity and good behavior, we have learned these things from you in abundance. As long as your teachings are with us, we will never be hopeless in life.
You are the teacher who deserves the greatest ovation at retirement!.
May Allah reward your services with the best in the hereafter and bless you always with His choiceist blessings and Mercy… Aameen
May your post retirement life be full of comforte, happiness and prosperity.
Author is a columnist, Fiction writer and teaches at Govt Secondary School Anderwan Ganderbal.
