A beacon of knowledge and mentorship

Prof (Dr) Nazir Ahmad Gilkar, passed away on 26th December evening, 2024. He was a luminary in the academic echelons, a revered mentor and an inspiration to academia and countless young professors. His death left an irreplaceable void in the intellectual and educational circles of J&K. Tributes poured in across newspapers and social media, reflecting a shared sense of profound loss for this scholarly figure. I was deeply saddened when a friend shared the news of his passing that evening. Over the past decade, I was constantly interacting with him on various academic issues and the exchanges were deeply insightful, leaving a lasting impact.

He had an intellectual curiosity with a remarkable command on history, literature, science, technology and religion and often quoted great minds. His melodious, drawn-out "hello" on phone calls lingers in my mind, and at times, I pause, almost expecting his voice to break the silence. But reality whispers the painful truth. He is no longer there. The voice has gone forever.

Prof. Gilkar, a renowned scholar in Accounting and Finance, served as Principal S.P. College and later as Controller of Examinations at Central University of Kashmir. His remarkable career saw him rise through various roles, starting as an accountant at HMT Zainakote, followed by lecturer in School Education and eventually joining Higher Education Department. Prof. Gilkar earned MCom, LLB, MPhil, and a PhD from the University of Kashmir. He had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and often said that education has no end and one can pursue a course at any stage of life. Remarkably, after retirement, he completed his B.Ed through distance learning.

As faculty, he organized conferences and workshops creating platforms for the exchange of ideas and the advancement of knowledge. Prof. Gilkar published research papers in his field and authored books on Commerce/Finance which are a valuable resource for students, researchers and professionals. As a prolific writer and a thinker, he wrote wonderful pieces in Greater Kashmir on academics, auditing, addressing various issues which reflected his intellectual depth and commitment to societal growth.

Prof. Gilkar always kept himself updated with information on higher education whether it was national/international seminar or some important meeting. He would occasionally call me to inquire about ongoing events, eager to learn what a particular speaker had said. He had a deep understanding of the institutional structures and administrative nuances of higher education and possessed an in-depth knowledge on NAAC, UGC regulations, and NEP-2020.

He inspired countless individuals with his knowledge, dedication, and unwavering passion for teaching and research, encouraging them to stay updated with global trends, strive for excellence and make meaningful contributions in their fields. One would always find him with so many wonderful ideas. He advocated for "academic audit" to address the decline in academic standards and viewed it not just an administrative exercise but a vital tool for evaluating teaching, curriculum and institutional performance that would promote accountability and preserve educational integrity.

Prof. Gilkar would emphasize on feedback system and would talk on 180/360 degrees assessment, provoking thoughtful conversations on viewing situations from all angles to embrace change. He was fond of confidence, authority and readiness to be key traits of an academic leader. He believed that an academic leader should have a commanding presence, symbolized by a good height and an upright posture of 90 degrees.

He believed that a leader must possess firmness and decisiveness; “he has to put his foot down, come what may”. For him, this unwavering resolve was essential to maintain order, inspire respect and drive meaningful changes within an institution. He often emphasized the importance of maintaining a proper dress code for teachers and principals. For Prof. Gilkar, dressing well was not just about appearance but about reflecting dignity, professionalism and respect for the role.

One unforgettable episode with Prof. Gilkar took place during a 2013 seminar on Faculty Development at Amar Singh College, Srinagar, when I had little acquaintance with him. One of the themes of the event was “ICTs and Teachers' Professional Development” and the session was chaired by one Arabic Professor who later held several prominent positions. While most presenters used PPTs to showcase the fundamentals of ICT, I had prepared a comprehensive set of 80 to 100 slides featuring simulations/short video clips that I had created painstakingly over two years. My goal was to demonstrate, practically how ICT could be effectively implemented in classrooms to simplify complex concepts and enhance student engagement thereby eradicating rote learning and improve classroom teaching.

The chairman began mocking me and raised questions. To my surprise, he argued that rote learning was vital, citing the example of sacred scriptures, how they were passed down through generations via rote learning before being written down. I tried to clarify the distinction between rote learning and memorization, but he remained unsatisfied.

Amid this discourse, Prof. Nazir Gilkar stood out as a beacon of encouragement and support. He keenly appreciated my presentation and its practical focus on implementing ICT in classrooms. At the conclusion of the session, Prof. Gilkar was invited to deliver the closing address. A tall, dignified figure, impeccably dressed, with unmatched confidence and an air of authority, took to the rostrum and spoke with remarkable eloquence.

To my immense delight, he highlighted my presentation, calling it the standout of the session and noting that it was the only one that practically demonstrated the role of ICT in education. He showered praises on my work, emphasizing its significance and suggesting that the insights be forwarded to higher education authorities for implementation. It was heartening to know that someone in the audience had recognized the value of my work and endorsed its importance. The words from such an academician filled me with immense elation. His appreciation remains etched in my memory as a powerful reminder of how genuine encouragement and recognition can shape one's journey.

Besides academia, Prof. Gilkar was also connected with social, religious, missionary and community services and these groups also expressed their grief over his demise. He had a spiritual connection as he would always discuss the Sufi saints and other great figures and their contributions. He believed in destiny and the will of God. With conviction, he would assert that it is God, not any individual in offices, who ultimately holds control over the matters.

He would tell me that get up at midnight, offer a prayer and seek God for guidance that will ease your path. He was unhappy with the way higher education has been functioning in recent years. He believed that “an academician must be brutally honest in providing accurate feedback to the authorities, without any sycophancy, rather than misleading them and destabilizing institutions”. Despite his severe health challenges, often saying “I am half dead” he remained sharp and demonstrated remarkable resilience to stay connected with his colleagues and friends. He would engage in discussions about contemporary academic issues and go through write-ups using electronic tools.

Prof Gilkar was a man of impeccable character and honesty. He was a selfless man who never craved for anything material in his life. As a true gentleman with a heart of gold, he held no grudges or jealousy against anybody. He had an unwavering belief in nurturing talent and uplifting those who excelled. We will miss him deeply and pray for his eternal peace and strength for his family to bear this irreparable loss.

              The author is a College Principal