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Vikas Kapoor
When my father once asked me to leave our home, I wept to the very depths of my being, unable to understand what had gone wrong between us. It was only later that I discovered he had suffered his first hallucination episode nearly one and a half years earlier — a silent beginning of a cruel journey we did not yet comprehend.
For twelve long years, he had fought Parkinson’s with remarkable courage and quiet dignity, until he finally laid down his brave struggle on 6th January 2026 at 4:40 PM, in the ICU of a hospital in Jammu. I consider myself profoundly blessed to have been by his side during those most trying and fragile moments of his life.
Confined to his bed, his gentle grey eyes would constantly search for me whenever I was away during the day. And the very same eyes would sparkle with pure happiness the moment he saw me return. It felt as though destiny itself was playing a tender game of hide-and-seek between us — a bittersweet dance of presence and longing, love and loss.
My father Dr D R Kapoor was born in 1947 in Battal, a historic town and union council in the Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Battal serves as the headquarters of the picturesque Konsh Valley — a region of striking natural beauty, cultural diversity, and deep historical significance.
Nestled along the ancient Silk Route, now known as the Karakoram Highway, the valley forms a vital passage leading toward Gilgit. The terrain rises dramatically from approximately 1,067 meters at Ichhrian to nearly 2,911 meters at Bahishti Sar, lending the region its breathtaking landscapes and climatic diversity. Home to more than 76,000 inhabitants, the Konsh Valley reflects a vibrant tapestry of communities, primarily comprising the Sayyed, Swati, and Gujjar tribes, with much of the land traditionally owned by the Swati tribe.
It was within this culturally rich and resilient environment that my father was born, a land shaped by endurance, heritage, and the passage of civilizations, values that quietly reflected in his own life of perseverance, scholarship, and service.
Born into a prosperous family, his early life took a dramatic turn during the Partition of 1947. Amidst widespread turmoil and hardship, the family was forced to spend whatever little wealth they had to cross over safely into India via Muzaffarabad, when he was barely one year old. Tragically, his father lost his life during the Partition, leaving his mother to single-handedly raise and support five dependent children under extremely difficult circumstances.
Much of his childhood was spent in government relief camps, including prolonged years at Rajpura in Punjab. Life in the camps was marked by scarcity and uncertainty, yet his hunger for education never diminished. Despite the odds, he pursued his studies with unwavering determination and consistently emerged as a topper in his class.
To support both his family and his own education, he took up an early government teaching job, diligently financing his higher studies — completing his Graduation, Post-Graduation, and ultimately his PhD. His perseverance and academic excellence reflected a rare strength of character and an indomitable spirit.
In 1971, at just 24 years of age, he qualified the JKAS (then KAS) examination and secured 4th rank in the written examination across the state of Jammu & Kashmir. However, as was not uncommon at the time, he was unjustly eliminated at the interview stage. Rather than allowing this setback to dishearten him, he remained resilient and continued striving for excellence.
His persistence bore fruit when he again appeared for the JKAS examination in 1979 and formally began his distinguished career in the JKAS in 1984. Around the same time, he was also selected as a Reader (equivalent to associate professor) at the University of Jammu — a remarkable academic achievement — yet he chose to serve the state through the JKAS, reflecting his commitment to public service.
His life stands as a powerful testament to courage, perseverance, intellectual integrity, and an unyielding belief in the transformative power of education.
During his bureaucratic journey, he remained in departments – Cooperatives, Food & Supplies, Khadi Village Board, & Jammu Municipal Corporation.
His academic journey was distinguished and lifelong, marked by an unwavering commitment to education and scholarship. His first independent book, “Education & National Development,” published in 1982, remains a widely referred text for M.Ed. and B.Ed. students. He lovingly dedicated this work to his late mother, who, sadly, could not witness its publication.
Over the course of his career, he authored five books, including one co-authored with the late Dr. Arun K. Gupta, Chairman, MIER, Jammu – “Teachers Effectiveness”. His final published work, “Research & Methodology for PhD Scholars,” stands as a valuable guide for research scholars and educators alike, Other books titled – Cooperative Audit Manual, Dynamics of Learning Organizations.
Even in his final days, his passion for learning and contribution to knowledge never waned. He was in the process of writing two additional books, which remain unpublished — a testament to his lifelong devotion to academic excellence and intellectual growth. “This marks the beginning of my journey to carry forward and complete his unfinished mission.”
His legacy lives on through his writings, his students, and the countless lives he inspired, several of his students visited our home after his demise, is a testimony to my claims.
Even after his official retirement at 58 years then, my father continued to serve the nation with unwavering dedication. He worked with the Government of India as a National Monitor for flagship initiatives such as the MNREGA project and Skill Development Programmes, contributing his vast administrative experience toward strengthening grassroots development and governance. In the meanwhile, he was also awarded “Rastriya Gaurav Award” at Delhi.
Simultaneously, he remained actively associated with the social organization Sehyog India as its Chairman and also served as the Research Head for a UGC-sponsored project at the MIER Group. Through these roles, he continued to guide research, mentor young scholars, and contribute meaningfully to social upliftment and academic advancement.
His post-retirement years were as purposeful and impactful as his active service — a true reflection of his lifelong commitment to service, knowledge, and nation-building.
Overall, “My father’s journey of life was profoundly accomplished and meaningful, encompassing three defining roles: a devoted and exemplary father, an ideal head of the family, and a distinguished academician and bureaucrat. In every sphere of life, he lived with purpose, integrity, and balance, fulfilling each responsibility with unwavering dedication. He truly lived life to its fullest—optimally, honorably, and with lasting impact.”
After a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease for nearly a decade, and a difficult year of declining health, he finally found eternal peace. Following 18 days in the ICU, he left this world on January 6, 2026, at a local hospital in Jammu.
Though his physical presence is gone, his memories, values, and love will forever remain in our hearts. May his soul rest in peace.
(Author is columnist and agripreneur)
