By Dr
Nazir Ahmad Gilkar
August 20,
2020
Born on
24th September, 1935, Prof. Sughra Hafeez was the daughter of a leading
educationist, Begum Jalal-Ud-Din (Begum Jalal). She qualified MA in English
with distinction, and also obtained a professional degree in Education (B.Ed).
She topped the list in order of merit in the recruitment test conducted by the
Public Service Commission, and started her academic career as lecturer in
English, in January 1962.
Prof. Sughra Hafeez left for her heavenly abode on 10thZilhaj, 1440
(Hijra) i.e. 12th August 2019
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Throughout
her teaching career, Prof. Sughra Hafeez proved herself to be an inspiring and
dedicated teacher. She was popular amongst student community and colleagues
alike, and actively participated in all aspects of curriculum management.
During her
23 years of outstanding teaching service, she worked as professor of English in
Government Women’s College, M.A Road Srinagar (2 spells), Govt. Degree College
Udhampur, Govt. Women’s College, Nawakadal Srinagar. As a teacher she was quite
impressive while transacting text in the classroom. Her students were highly
motivated to attend her class as she explained a particular topic, adding value
to the teaching-learning process.
Prof.
Sughra Hafeez was elevated to the post of college Principal of Govt. College
for Women’s, Nawakadal Srinagar in the year 1985. During these years, the
college registered an unprecedented progress in both scholastic and
non-scholastic activities. The standard of education improved considerably, and
students bagged numerous gold medals, trophies and awards in various fields.
Prof.
Sughra Hafeez contributed significantly to the uplift of underprivileged and
weaker sections among the students. She set an example of honesty, sincerity
and dedication to duty. She actively contributed to life of institutions she
worked for.
My
Principal, Prof. Jiyalal Qotwal, at Degree College Baderwah, would speak highly
of his good friend, Sheikh Hafeez Akhtar (IPS), who is the spouse of late
Sughra Hafeez. He would always acclaim the virtues of his colleague, Prof.
Sugra Hafeez, Prof. Qotwal and Prof. Sughra Hafeez had been colleagues at
Udhampur college. When I was transferred from Baderwah College on 8th may 1990,
I joined Nawakadal College on 10th may 1990 and submitted my joining report to
the then principal Prof. Sugra Hafeez in her chamber. While allowing me to join
the college, she smiled and asked me to work hard and be a dedicated teacher.
Prof. Sugra
Hafeez was a well-disciplined academic leader. When the college was burnt down
Sughra put in sustained effort to get the gutted college building repaired and
renovated within a short period of time. She was an expert in governance
skills. The admission process was completed at M.A.Road Srinagar. However, the
classwork and transaction were resumed in the college immediately after the
building was made functional. When Kawdara, a locality in old city, was gutted
down in a devastating fire, some fire victims got shelter in the college.
Professor Sugra Hafeez used to visit them one by one in the morning. She
assured them that they would not face any difficulty as regards basic utilities
like electricity, water etc. and that they would soon return to their
reconstructed homes. On the eve of Eid, she asked a lady colleague to spare a
sheep for the guests staying in the college and the colleague gladly obliged
with the request. When some students requested her to grant relaxation in
depositing admission fee as they were not able pay it, because the economy was
paralyzed, she took a quick decision and decided that all the students must be
admitted in the college despite them not being in a position to deposit
admission fee. Thus, no student was left out and deprived of admission. She,
later on, took up the issue with administrative department for ratification of
her action. She enjoyed full support of commissioner secretary, Sushma
Chowdhary. Those days, higher ups sitting in the four walls of Civil
Secretariat, were keenly aware of the difficulties the college principals were
confronted while working on the field.
After
serving as principal for a period of 10 years, she retired from active service
from Govt. College for Women M. A Road, Srinagar, on 30th September, 1993.
During her post-superannuation life, she was actively engaged in societal
development and women’s emancipation by being member /convener of different organizations.
Prof. Sugra
Hafeez was gentle, generous, affectionate and an able academic leader. I got
very less time to work under her leadership as she was transferred on 9th
January, 1991, from Nawakadal to M.A. Road College. In recognition of her meritorious
service to Higher Education, especially women education in J&K, the
government was pleased to award her a gold medal. The academic historian must
prepare a comprehensive biographical note on her life and contributions to the
Higher Education Department. She left for her heavenly abode on 10thZilhaj,
1440 (Hijra) i.e. 12th August 2019.
(This
short biographical note is based on the inputs obtained from those who knew
her, and worked with her.)
Original
Headline:
Source: The Greater Kashmir