By: Shariq Ahmad Lone
College life marks a transformative chapter where one steps out of adolescence and into adulthood, navigating learning, friendships, and self-discovery.
My journey at HKM Government Degree College, Bandipora (2019–2022) was just that a blend of experiences that helped shape my thinking, character, and outlook on life.
When I first walked through the college gate in 2019, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness.
The lush green campus, newly constructed academic blocks, and the vibrant energy of students made me feel that something important was about to begin. Coming from a small village, adjusting to college life was both thrilling and overwhelming.
I was eager to learn not just from books but from classroom discussions, debates, and interactions with inspiring teachers. HKM GDC Bandipora became a place where I grew, not just academically but also personally.
Pandemic and UncertaintyJust as I was settling into college life, the COVID-19 pandemic struck in early 2020, altering everything. Lockdowns forced us into online classes, replacing lively classroom exchanges with video lectures and unreliable internet.
Studying became monotonous and disconnected. Yet, this period of uncertainty taught me valuable lessons especially patience, adaptability, and resilience. It reminded us how vital physical classrooms, face-to-face dialogue, and campus life truly are.
When I joined HKM Degree College, basic infrastructure was lacking no boundary wall, no sports block, no canteen, no browsing center, and an unpaved internal road. However, this began to change in 2020 when Professor Dr. Amin Malik took over as Principal of the college. Under his leadership, several long-standing issues were addressed, significantly transforming the college landscape. I would like to shed light on some of the key Developments that took place during his tenure, from May 2020 to August 2022.
One grave concern for this Institution was the construction of its 2-km long boundary wall to secure the College Land measuring 186-kunals. In the absence of any boundary wall and the controlled entry points; stray dogs, cattle, and unauthorized individuals would access from any direction of the campus to wander around buildings and onto the College grounds.
The intrusion would cause disruptions in the academic environment and pose serious security risks to the safety of students, particularly female students, as well as the staff.
The issue was in limbo for the last 17-years owing to litigations, court cases and conflicts with the neighboring villagers.
Amid full scare of Covid-19 Pandemic and Lockdowns, regular meetings were held with the neighboring villagers.
After many rounds of meetings which continued for several months, it was finally agreed with the Deputy Commissioner Bandipora and Revenue Officials of the District on table, that construction of the College fencing be allowed to start. Subsequently, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) was formulated through Executing Agency R&B and submitted to the Higher Education Deptt.
After great efforts, the project was approved @ ₹2.38 crore and funds were released accordingly. The fencing of the College which the most people in Bandipora thought shall never get underway and compared it with that of building the Great Wall of China, started in March-2021.
As on August 2022 nearly 95% work on fencing was completed. The Chain Link Fencing with a strong foundation has been a big achievement for securing the control of the College premises. After this The college’s first-ever canteen, a multipurpose hall and another one for sports department were set up in pre-fabricated structures.
The work on renovation of washrooms and face-lifting of main College building were undertaken and internal roads were macadamized. The Computer Applications Department was upgraded. Book count in the library increased from 7,000 to 15,000.
Over three dozen Lockers were added, along with access to the N-LIST journal database and RFID was processed. Water purifiers, digital meters, and generators with a secured basement were installed. The principal successfully negotiated a ₹9 lakh waiver on outstanding electricity dues of ₹31.67 lakh.
The remaining balance was settled in installments, clearing all liabilities. A dynamic college website was launched, and campus-wide internet was enhanced through routers and antennas. Four UGC-approved skill-based courses and four new academic subjects Music, IT, Geography, and Food Science & Technology were introduced. Three research projects in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the Department of Science & Technology were secured. During Covid approximately 100 academic sessions in the form of webinars were organized, which includes international lectures featuring experts from Manchester University (UK), Khalifa University (UAE), and Harvard University (USA). An NCC unit was established, with one cadet participating in the Republic Day parade at Rajpath, New Delhi.
Sports facilities such as badminton and volleyball courts were also developed. Under Community Outreach & Environment nearly 6-schools under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan were adopted and visited. Over 3,000 saplings were planted and various awareness programs were organized. On the administrative front the principal managed the posting of a full-time accountant to streamline the office work and settle down the long-standing audit issues.
And finally, the NAAC accreditation process of the College was initiated in 2020 and the accreditation of the Institution by NAAC in September 2021 with an impressive CGPA of 2.15 at B Grade in the very first cycle was indeed a great achievement for this remote College making the college eligible for UGC and RUSA grants.
Dr. Amin Malik’s dynamic leadership marked a turning point in the college’s development. His efforts significantly improved both infrastructure and academic culture, leaving a lasting legacy for students and faculty alike.
A Ph.D. in Physics with an excellent research record in reputed international journals, Dr. Malik has taught at several prestigious institutions across Kashmir.
As an accomplished writer and columnist, he wrote on science, education, technology, and societal issues in leading English dailies, and authored a book Science for a Sustainable Future.Lessons and GrowthDespite the challenges, my time at HKM GDC Bandipora helped me evolve both intellectually and emotionally.
I learned how to navigate difficulties, find creative solutions, and make the best use of available resources. The support of my teachers and friends was instrumental in shaping my journey.Looking back, college was much more than a place to earn a degree. It became a foundation where I built values, forged lifelong friendships, and learned lessons that extended beyond textbooks.
Though the college still has room for growth, it gave me cherished memories and meaningful experiences. Thanks to the unwavering efforts of Principal Professor Dr. Amin Malik, Professor Abdul Gani Kumar, and other dedicated faculty members, the institution continues to rise helping students like me dream bigger and strive harder.
(The author is a Kashmir-based freelance journalist and is currently pursuing a master’s in Mass Communication and Journalism at the Media Education and Research Centre, University of Kashmir)
