Retirement day of my uncle who served in Govt department for more than 30 years.

Yesterday, the 31st of March, witnessed the end of service for many employees who had served in the government of Jammu and Kashmir for their respective terms. Among them was my maternal uncle, who had joined government service back in 1989. He served in the Rural Development Department, dedicating his life to the welfare of the rural population.

My uncle has always been generous, kind, and considerate towards people, especially those who lack resources and depend on government schemes for support. He not only performed his duties with sincerity but also with compassion and kindness. Now that I am also a part of the same department, I may not have much experience yet, but I understand the hardships employees face while dealing with the public. It is natural that not everything is always possible, and there are pressures from different sides, yet my uncle managed to do good for almost everyone. He is that kind of person—someone who would never even think of harming others and always prioritized honesty and efficiency in his work.

At the time of his retirement, it was quite emotional. He was given a farewell by his colleagues at the beautiful tourist destination of Yousmarg. I accompanied him to the event and drove him there. Everyone present spoke highly of him and counted his achievements over the years. However, when he was invited to speak, he couldn’t utter a single word as he was overwhelmed with emotion. Having been attached to the department for more than 30 years, it was a deeply emotional moment for him. I could feel it even during our journey, as he wasn’t able to speak much.

The entire gathering turned emotional, as they bid farewell to one of the most humorous, generous, kind, and compassionate individuals they had ever worked with. The weather added to the uniqueness of the moment—thick fog had covered the entire area, and at one point, even a person standing at arm’s length was barely visible. It made the event even more memorable.

My uncle was presented with mementos and gifts by his colleagues, and a lunch was arranged for everyone. The meal included traditional and delicious Kashmiri Wazwan, which was appreciated by all for its rich taste and excellent preparation.

In the end, it was all about the memories shared and the photographs taken with my uncle—moments that will now remain part of their memories and galleries. After all, whoever leaves does not come back.