Dr. ANJU BATTA SEHGAL
My heart is filled with melancholy and sadness while saying goodbye to this lovely place and affectionate people. While penning down my experiences as first lady of NIT Srinagar, I am full of depression and dejection. The saying holds hundred percent true that if there is heaven on Earth, it is in Kashmir. The land is not only blessed with mesmerizing beauty of Nature but also with people full of beauty of heart and soul. I am indeed obligated and appreciative of these adorable loving people of Srinagar. I came in contact with this place in 2017, when on 9th November my husband joined here as Director. When I walk down the memory lane and recollect the journey of five and half years my eyes become moist in writing.
I along with my daughter and Professor Sehgal were about to visit US to spend few days with our son Rishabh, when suddenly my husband Prof. Rakesh Sehgal received an interview for directors in various NITs. The date of interview was 3rd Oct., when we were supposed to fly. Prof. Sehgal dropped the idea of going and scarified his ticket. Me and my daughter carried out that journey/ trip without him. Having a very bright career and academic profile he got selected as Director NIT Srinagar. He joined on 9th November 2017. Campus which he inherited was full of bushes, barren lands, ruined buildings and deserted looks. The place was full of turmoil, challenges and it was difficult to endure and deliver. We as family were little worried too. I was posted as Principal Govt. Post Graduate College in Hamirpur and our daughter was studying B. Tech. Computer Science from NIT Hamirpur.
As per his habit of being workaholic, focused and delivering 100% in time, Prof. Sehgal sacrificed the best part of his life by giving our share of time too to NIT Srinagar. Imagine a wife & family, who used to listen to the incidences of Stone pelting, Target killings, daily shutdowns, threats to life etc. and calls from all relatives and friends “Why your husband is there in Srinagar, why don’t you call him Back”? Abrogation of Article 370 also led to situation with tensions. While abrogation was going on, we as family contacted him to visit us for a few days but his answer as usual was, “I cannot leave this place unless and until I make all my students safe and ensure their safe departure and reaching home. Finally, when campus got evacuated, we contacted him and booked his ticket to Delhi. With satellite communication we could only inform him the name of the flight. With great hassle he reached upto Delhi and started running all his official work from Delhi. He got the placements of entire batches done, while running office from Delhi. All academic works were carried out in distance mode.
Perhaps his tenure was only meant to streamline everything and face all sorts of calamities. Then came Covid 19, during which all the time he remained struck in NIT campus in Srinagar alone. Faced all sorts of challenges for running academics in virtual modes. Planned all activities, seminars, Assignments, Viva, Projects, Examinations, Classes, along with little practical approach too. Not to talk high because he is our family but I had a comparison of My daughter’s batch in NIT Hamirpur, when most of the NIT’s were still planning how to send outgoing batch of 2020 finally, he not only declared results in time by taking online exams but also awarded degrees for outgoing batch so that they could apply for higher studies. His method was then adopted by number of others. He was not only neutral administrator but full of high positive energy too. His dedication, devotion and brilliance shall be a role model to emulate for all those administrators who are working towards success. His academic pursuit will continue to inspire thousands.
My job as Principal cum Director Govt College Hamirpur Himachal Pradesh was equally strenuous and full of challenges. Whenever I needed him, I found him engrossed in even more severe problem. There used to be a void in family at the time of major decisions. At time it used to fill us with little anger and anguish too. While taking decision for higher studies of my daughter who did Masters in Computer Science from University of California San Diego, now doing doctorate, son Rishabh about to complete doctorate in ECE from University of Texas at Austin, we used to feel some vacuum. He not only took the institute to a higher National Ranking from no Rank but also acted as administrator par excellence, mentor, counsellor, custodian of all students and property but also extended all due benefits to all employees, students, alumni, public and parents.
I used to visit during vacations, became witness of the unfortunate toughest situations of target killings in 2020 October. Now after my superannuation from Himachal Government I shifted to this place to spend some time in this beautiful and scenic environment. After completing five and half years as director of this institute, now when some other director has been appointed it is the time to bid adieu to this beautiful valley. While penning down these memories of mine I am leaving a part of my being, a portion of my heart in this beautiful land with these affectionate people. I am extending a million of thanks to family of NIT Srinagar and also to the lovely people of the valley for the love affection and regard which they have given me as first lady. Special thanks to few of my close friends and acquaintances, whom I met here only, Mrs Rubeena Bhukhari, Mrs Semin Rubab, Dr Urnaib and Prof MF Wani, Prof SK Bhukhari, Prof M A Shah, Mr Sunil Kumar Savita Commandant CRPF his wife Mrs Malti for extending constant support and help at the time of need.
The beauty of Gulmarg, where I made one paper on Nomadic Tribes which I presented in university of Utah Salt Lake city USA and won 1000$ award, shall always remain in my mind. Memories of Dachigam, Sonmarg, Pahalgam, Kheer Bhavani, Shankaracharya temple, Mughal Gardens, Dal Lake Shikara life, wonderful handicraft, woollen clothes, papermache, copper utensils and other lovely hand made things, will sure make me nostalgic and will give ample material to chew these memories for future.
I am little short of words in penning down my feelings of gratitude to these lovely adorable, affectionate people. My all appreciations are due to them for excellent camaraderie, sweet nature, soft spoken behaviour and love and affection which they shower on the tourists. You will always remain very close to our heart so bye and thanks a lot.
(The Author is ex Principal NSCBM Govt. College Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh and former Professor of Botany)
