As his remarkable 34 year career in the education department came to an end on 30-03-2024, Mr Farooq Ahmad Wagay the esteemed Headmaster of Govt BHS Anderwan, stands tall as a symbol of unwavering dedication and unparalleled commitment to the field of education. His journey, marked by milestones of excellence and achievements, has left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all those who have had the privilege of working with and learning from him. Mr Wagay’s embarking into the world of education was not merely a profession but a calling—a calling to inspire, nurture, and empower young minds. His passion for imparting knowledge, coupled with his belief in the transformative power of education, became the cornerstone of his illustrious career. He had joined the education department in 1989 and after serving as a teacher for 16 years he was promoted as Master in 2006. In 2022 he was bestowed with the promotion as Headmaster and has been working in the same capacity till date. During his service career, he has not failed to see his students qualify for prestigious exams and secure high-profile positions in diverse fields such as civil services, medicine, engineering, teaching, etc. Throughout his tenure, Mr Wagay has been a beacon of inspiration, leading by example and setting high standards of excellence. His leadership style, characterized by empathy, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility, has not only earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues but has also served as a guiding light for generations of students. Besides excellence in academics, he has always aspired to see the students depicting the highest moral standards and has shown his earnest zeal for their socio-emotional and ethical development. Under his visionary leadership, BHS Anderwan, his first and also the last place of posting as Headmaster, has emerged as a citadel of learning, where students are not just educated but are also groomed to become responsible citizens and future leaders. Mr Farooq’s emphasis on holistic development has ensured that his students excel not just academically but also in extracurricular activities, thus preparing them for the challenges of the real world. Born in April 1964 at Tullamulla village of Ganderbal, Mr Farooq was admitted to a local school Govt BHS Tullamulla in 1970 where from he qualified his matric exam in 1980. There after he went on to pass his intermediate from Govt BHSS Ganderbal and graduation in Non-Medical subject through prestigious Sri Pratap Singh College Srinagar. He has done his B.Ed also through Kashmir University. After completing his education, Mr Farooq was anxiously desiring to work in Jammu Kashmir Police as the height of his body and smartness was much suitable for a Cop. But destiny had something different and better stored for him as he was absorbed in education department to impart moral training and education to thousands of his students. In 1989 he was appointed as a teacher and posted at Govt BMS Langri Riging Zanaskar of Ladakh division. Then he was transferred to Govt BHS Dras where he worked tirelessly for complete four years. After being promoted as Master in 2006, he worked in many high and higher secondary schools of Ganderbal district viz Govt GHS Tullamulla, Govt BHSS Tullamulla, BHSS Batwina and Govt BHSS Lar. He was given the assignment of HOI of BHS Theru also which he accepted wholeheartedly and with complete dedication and zeal he transformed it’s basic structure. After his promotion as Headmaster, he was adjusted at Govt BHS Anderwan where from he attained his superannuation. On the day of his joining at the last school, Mr Farooq was given a rousing reception, both students and teachers eagerly waited for his arrival, students had qued themselves and singing welcome song to welcome him. Very few teachers are welcomed in the way Mr Farooq was welcomed in 2022 at Anderwan. Soon after assuming the charge as Headmaster and DDO of the institution, he called a meeting of the staff in his office chamber to get the first hand information of the school and to recieve the opinion of his subordinates aiming to make it more vibrant and dynamic. His passion of teaching Maths was felt here also as he often combined 8th, 9th and 10th classes to teach them basic maths during free hours. There was a routine among students to leave their classes in the month of June/July to rear the cattle in upper grasslands like Mohanmarg and Lalmarg and would return back in late October. Mr Farooq’s revolutionary moves not only checked this menace but students felt pleased to attend regularly. To address the issue of lacking of notebooks, pens and pencils among children, his initiative of raising funds were praiseworthy. Not only children and teachers hailed these steps but local PRIs were all praise for him. During morning Assembly smart and nice looking students were routinely gifted with pens and notebooks which inculcated a sense of competition among them and they kept themselves in a race of winning as many gifts as they could. Checking of class work on daily basis, taking stock of fair mid day meals preparation and occasionally distributing himself and maintaining crystal clear school records are some areas which he remained focused on. Farooq sahib at his sixties still has a sharp memory, he knows the name of every teacher he has worked with during his tenure. A day before while passing through the busiest Hari Singh High Street Srinagar he saw a colleague of Dras Kargil after few decades who had Worked with him. The man didn’t recognise him, but when Farooq sahib introduced himself he was excited and hugged him. Farooq sahib’s dedicated, selfless and sincere services have paid him as two of his daughters are currently pursuing the medicine after qualifying the NEET exam with flying colours while third one has already qualified for NIT Srinagar but is anxious to get a seat in one of the leading GMC’s of state this year for which she is burning the midnight oil. A grand and impressive function was organised at Hotel Hot Spot Ganderbal in honour of Mr Farooq last month few days before the commencement of holy Ramadan and on 30-03-2024 the main grand, impressive and colourful function was orchestrated to bid warm send-off to him in which both students and teachers paid their richest tributes to the outgoing Headmaster and threw light on his life and achievements. In a cavalcade of vehicles he was escorted by teachers and non-teaching staff members of the school to his residence of Tullamulla.
RAYEES AHMAD KUMAR
Writer is a columnist hailing from Qazigund Kashmir.
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