Syed Nissar H Gilani
There is a persistent divide in how we view the trajectory of a human life. To many, the world is governed by destiny—an unseen script written long before we take the stage. To others, particularly the “self-made” individuals who have climbed the ladder through sheer exhaustion and grit, the concept of fate is a myth. They believe, quite firmly, that we are the sole architects of our own fortune.
However, as I look back on my journey, now twenty-two years into my retirement from the administrative services, the reality seems to sit somewhere in the middle.
The Era of “The Cigarette Packet Order”
In my youth, the world felt wider and far more forgiving. Clearing the 10th class was an undisputed feat, acknowledged with respect by friends and foes alike. Passing was not just a grade; it was a passport to a future.
I vividly recall the era of Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad, our Prime Minister during those formative years. He was known for his unique, hands-on approach to governance. It was common for him to meet a seeker and, on the spot, scribble an appointment order for a government job on the back of a cigarette packet.
One remarkable story involves a distinguished relation of mine, the late Bashir Sahab Qazi, of the reputed business family from SR Gunj. His son, the late Dr. Zahoor, was a specially challenged individual. Bashir Sahab approached Bakshi Sahab to ask a favor: a seat for his son in the MBBS program at GMC Srinagar. Bakshi Sahab was kind enough to grant the request. Without competitive exams or interviews, Dr. Zahoor was admitted, became a doctor, and served as a role model. In that era, destiny was often forged by a simple, compassionate command.
The Academic Benchmark of 1971
By the time I completed my Post Graduation in Zoology in 1971, the academic standards were rigorous. I secured 50%+ marks—a result that genuinely surprised me. In our batch of twenty-seven candidates, the highest marks hovered between 55% and 59%.
Yet, the “destiny” afforded to that batch was remarkable. Soon after my PG, I was lucky enough to secure a job as a paid trainer in one of the top pharmaceutical industries in Bombay. This period was a significant turning point, as I was fortunate enough to complete a specialized course in Basic Health Services. Eventually, however, the paths of my batch mates diverged: most became teachers at school, college and university levels; many joined the Fisheries Department; one even became a Member of Parliament. I was the sole person from that group to return to the fold and enter the administration not by choice but by share luck.
Success and the Lingering Regret
My career path was a series of twists. Upon my appointment to the Revenue Department in 1973, I made a choice that still carries a weight of regret today: I abandoned my PhD course halfway. At the time, the call of duty and the security of service took precedence, but that unfinished academic chapter remains a quiet “what if” in my story.
Despite that, my path led to a life I could never have imagined. Beyond my administrative career, I compared more than 1,300 health programs on Srinagar TV between 1973 and 2018. I have visited dozens of foreign countries and delivered hundreds of guest lectures, sharing my experiences as an administrator.
How does a “substandard” student with a half-hearted approach to studies achieve such feats? While I applied myself when it counted, I cannot ignore the “jackpot” of parental guidance and my mother’s relentless persuasion. I also see that many of my friends reached even higher levels; perhaps their luck was simply stronger than mine.
A Message to the Present Youth
Today, the “brilliant chap” faces a gauntlet of “tight competition” that didn’t exist fifty years ago. There is a certain irony that the “substandard” person of yesterday was often luckier than the brilliant youth of today.
However, to the youth of today, I say this: while the competition is fierce, you also have an abundance of opportunities in fields we could never have dreamed of. My advice is to believe in hard work and sincere determination. Success is bound to follow those who persevere.
Ultimately, I leave it to the reader to decide where effort ends and destiny begins. For me, the answer is clear: that Grace is Allah. I remain deeply grateful to the Almighty for the path He paved for me, carrying me to meaningful levels through moments I could never have manufactured on my own.
Syed Nissar H. Gilani is a former civil servant from the administrative service and can be reached at nisargilani57748@gmail.com
