Baramulla November 01:(KNS) The Government Degree College, Baramulla observed the enchanting celebration of “Annual Day Function-2020” on October 27, 2020 while strictly adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs) in view of COVID-19 pandemic. Annual Day constitutes an essential part of our academic and allied activities.  It is an occasion of commemoration, offering of good wishes, feast and festivity when students present their wonderful performances and receive honours for their curricular and co-curricular achievements.
Mr. Talat Parvez Rohella, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department, J & K graced the occasion as the Chief Guest with his benign presence. He was given a floral reception before he made his way to the programme venue (College Auditorium). Dr. G N. Itoo, District Development Commissioner, Baramulla and Prof. (Dr.) M. Y. Peerzada, Director Colleges, J & K embellished the moment as guests of honour. Among other dignitaries present were Prof. F. R. Baigh, Principal GDC, Women Sopore, Prof. (Dr.) Farooq Ahmad, Principal GDC, Boys, Sopore, Prof. (Dr.) Fehmida Hilal, Principal, GDC (Women), Baramulla, Mr. Aijaz Abdulla Saraf, ADDC, Baramulla, prominent members of VCAA, and members of Sikh Gurdawara Committee.
The programme embarked with the College Tarana. Prof. Mohammad Maqbool Rather, Principal of the college extended a warm welcome to the dignitaries and presented the Annual Report of the college. He read out the academic and co-curricular achievements of the college and yearned many more to follow. He added that students in GDC, Baramulla are imparted matchless knowledge besides given necessary lessons on morality and value system. Prof. A. R. Malik, Head, Department of Botany also welcomed the guests and ushered in the achievements and feats of the college in academic and allied arenas during the past few years. This was followed by mesmerizing cultural events, such as Kashmiri Rouf, Gazal(s), Skit, Dances, plays, and documentary of a variety of events that transpired during the current academic session. The presentation of these items enchanted the audiences who were all praise to the student performers and their mentors.
This was followed by some inspirational speeches from chief guest and guests of honour. Dr. G. N. Itoo highlighted the exemplary academic and co-curricular ambience of the college and acknowledged and appreciated the support and cooperation of the college administration, particularly in containing the spread of COVID-19 and providing both infrastructural and human resources for the smooth conduct of the administrative business. He assured all help and support from district administration in accomplishing the mission and vision of the college. Prof. (Dr.) M. Y. Peerzada in his address assured the college administration of support and timely redressal of pressing challenges the college is facing due to deficient ancillary staff. He also lauded the upward academic curve and achievements of the college over the years under the able and auspicious leadership of incumbent and former principals.
Talat Parvez Rohella in his mesmerising address appreciated the efforts put in by the incumbent college principal and his predecessors, teaching and non-teaching faculty, students, and other stakeholders in taking this institution to new and unprecedented horizons. He also lauded the state of art and high niche laboratory housed in the Department of Chemistry of the college and the skill-oriented courses of Saffron and Mushroom cultivation, and Vermicomposting offered by the Botany department of the college. He assured strengthening of teaching faculty in Mathematics and Psychology departments besides making some enthralling announcements – both financial and otherwise to strengthen the college further and translating it into a model and multidisciplinary institution – the most desired dream of National Policy on Education (NEP_2020). He also desired the college administration to have a college slogan as “Through Learning to Livelihood” in addition to its primary slogan – “Through Hardwork to Stars”. Rohella yearned that the college should maintain not only its set standards and benchmarks but also improve and excel in all spheres of business in the times to come. Thus, to realize this end, he emphasized that the changing spirit of times warrants modern methods and methodology for knowledge sharing between the knowledge seeker and mentor. Second, he also impressed upon learning outcome based curriculum framework (LOCF) be religiously adopted and followed to accomplish the vision of NEP_2020. Third, he desired to have frequent faculty development programmes (FDPs), refresher and orientation courses, and related activities to brush up the concepts of faculty and expose them to new vistas of knowledge and innovation. Four, he also laid stress on start-ups or innovation, incubation and research centres in colleges for linking learning with living. Last, but not least, Mr. Rohella underscored the importance of setting up career counselling and placement cells in colleges for the larger good of students.
The event also witnessed senior faculty members felicitating the chief guest, guests of honour, and other dignitaries on the occasion. Moreover, success of this event could not have been possible without commendable effort and meticulous planning of members of College Cultural Committee, faculty members, students, NSS volunteers, NCC unit, supporting staff, and others who one way or the other extended their help and support during the entire course of this mega event.
The function reasoned out with a vote of thanks offered by Dr. Navshad Ahmad Wani, Head, Department of Psychology wherein he thanked the chief-guest, guests of honour, and dignitaries for having spared their time to attend the function. He also thanked students, teachers, and the Principal of the college for organizing the function successfully.  (KNS)