I am a college contractual of Kashmir valley. I am working on a meager salary of Rs. 8000/- per month from last couple of years. Some of my brothers have been working for last 7 or 8 years and have gone overage. Some are so honest, hardworking and dedicated that their sense of responsibility didn’t let them go out to carry out any research work though they were selected many times. College didn’t let them think about their own career.
 I am treated like a slave. Injustice is done with me. My innocence is taken an undue advantage of. I am a so-called professor, so must not be treated like. There should be difference between me and a higher secondary contractual. Especially in case of pay scale. Higher secondary contractual teaches two classes and takes Rs 7000/- salary monthly whereas I teach six classes and am given only one thousand extra. I am worse than a public school teacher. I feel frustrated.
 I am everywhere the same. Whether I work in Baramulla, Bandipora, Sopore, Anatnag, Pulwama or in Srinagar. I am everywhere treated step motherly. I can be ordered to join Sogam, Kupwara or Uri College. What then I reside in far flung district like Pulwama, Anantnag, Budgam, etc. Doesn’t matter, even if I’ve to spend a hundred or two a day. I, sometimes, visit my parents after months. No problem. My salary is disbursed after 8 or 9 months. No problem. I am developed. Even bank people do not facilitate me with any kind of loan. They treat me like a beggar. I turn to be a shameless person because like other working people of the society. I am not able to give my parents pay after every month. Students in the campus want me each day to be taught. They praise me because I teach them the best and that too regularly. If my lectures be weighed than even Rs. 25000/- pay will not equal the balance pans. I am supposed to join the duty even during hartal days because my single leave not only makes me a shirker and brings disgrace but it also creates a pandemonium besides an explanation that peon always comes with. And if due to some unavoidable circumstances I could not report my duty for 2 or 3 days then it is sure I will be sent back to the pavilion (Amar Singh College).
 I am a human being. Have done M. Phil and PhD still I am humiliated. I will tell you a secret, if you won’t tell it to others. No girl is ready to marry with me because I am a poor employee. Whom society has rejected. An ReT teacher doesn’t allow me to sit or speak before him because he takes Rs. 18000/- as salary and I still Rs. 8000/-. How fools I am! I’ve ruined my life after college. Government job has gone off my hands because college has rendered me good for nothing.
 To whom can I narrate my painful story? When I go to the door of  CM, I am not even treated well by a chaprasi. I am frisked like a thief. Still I think there is a silver living in the clouds. My rank is higher than my meager pay-scale. Since 2008, my grievance of pay hike is kept suspended. I have been praised by sugar coated words, many times over. But at grassroots level, happens nothing.
 Now, with my head lowered to the ground and eyes brimmed with tears, I request you that our pay scale may be hiked. Sir, there is no one left to us, except you. You posses power. Our life has been destroyed. Now, if your Excellency is benevolent, we hope ours demands will be fulfilled. Omar Sahab, you are sympathetic and kind personality. Whose door can we go to except yours? Years passed, and we still wait in a hope that it will end.

Manzoor Akash teaches English at Govt. Degree College, Kupwara. Feedback at manzurakash@yahoo.co.in)

Lastupdate on : Mon, 20 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 20 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST