Ahmadullah Affandi: A Life of Service, Scouting, Education and Inspiration

Malik Mushtaq

“For Affandi, education was never confined to textbooks. It was about building character, courage and moral strength — qualities that outlive examinations and define a lifetime.”

Ahmadullah Affandi (22 February 1922 – 18 February 2013), lovingly remembered as “Baba-e-J&K Scouting,” was far more than a teacher. He was a movement in himself. A mentor. A disciplinarian with compassion. A guide who shaped generations of young minds in Bandipora and across Jammu and Kashmir.

Born in Onagam village in Bandipora district, Affandi’s life spanned nearly ninety-one years of service, commitment and quiet leadership. At a time when educational and youth institutions were still evolving in the region, he dedicated himself to building character, confidence and courage among students. His work in scouting and education earned him deep respect and national recognition.

Early Life and the Seeds of Leadership

Affandi grew up in rural Kashmir during a period of social and political transition. Even as a young boy, he displayed qualities of leadership and physical endurance. His love for outdoor activity and discipline drew him naturally towards the scouting movement.

As a student of MP High School, Srinagar, he developed a strong attachment to the ideals of scouting — self-reliance, teamwork, moral character and service to others. Around 1939–40, he was selected for advanced scouting training in Lahore. This exposure shaped his worldview. It strengthened his belief that youth development must go beyond classroom instruction.

Scouting training introduced him to pioneering techniques, ropework, bridge-building, semaphore signalling and Morse code communication. But more importantly, it instilled in him a philosophy: service before self — the guiding spirit of the movement founded by Robert Baden-Powell.

A Teacher Who Taught Beyond Textbooks

In 1941, Affandi began his career as a government teacher. His appointment was influenced not only by academic merit but by his exceptional scouting abilities. At a time when experiential learning was rare, he brought a unique blend of physical activity, discipline and moral education into the classroom.

For him, education was not limited to textbooks and examinations. It was about shaping character. He believed that a student should be physically strong, mentally alert and morally upright. He encouraged teamwork, critical thinking and responsibility. Even nursery and pre-primary students benefited from his patient and innovative approach.

He served as a government teacher until 1980. Yet retirement did not slow him down. For more than twenty additional years, he continued teaching at Eaglet’s Public School in Bandipora. Well into his seventies and eighties, he cycled several kilometers daily to reach school. His life silently echoed a simple belief: work is worship.

A Lifelong Mission in Scouting

Affandi’s name became synonymous with scouting in Jammu and Kashmir. Long before independence, he had immersed himself in the movement. Over six decades, he worked tirelessly to expand the reach of the Bharat Scouts and Guides in the region.

He was not merely an instructor. He was a mentor who travelled extensively across towns and villages to train scouts and motivate teachers. He mastered and taught advanced techniques such as semaphore flag communication, Morse signalling and rescue-oriented pioneering skills. In the mountainous and flood-prone terrains of Kashmir, these were not symbolic exercises. They were practical tools for community assistance.

One of his most significant contributions was establishing scout troops in Bandipora and surrounding areas. During a time when scouting was an integral part of school life, he created structured units that gave students direction and discipline. Many young boys and girls trained under him later became leaders in the scouting movement across Jammu and Kashmir.

National Recognition

Affandi’s decades of service received national acknowledgment in 1999 when he was awarded the Silver Elephant Award by the Bharat Scouts and Guides — the organization’s highest national honour. The award, conferred on behalf of the President of India, recognized his exceptional contribution to youth development and scouting.

For a man who lived simply and worked quietly, this recognition symbolized not personal glory but validation of a lifelong mission.

Sportsman and Adventurer

Affandi’s life was not confined to classrooms and scout camps. He was also an accomplished sportsman. He served as goalkeeper for the Kashmir 11 hockey team and played matches in Lahore during 1948–49. His athletic discipline reinforced his belief that physical strength and mental resilience go hand in hand.

He was known as a strong swimmer who crossed both Dal Lake and Mansbal Lake — feats that reflected endurance and courage. Sports, for him, were part of character formation.

Character and Personal Discipline

Affandi was affectionately called “Kaka Lala” within his family, extended family and community. He was a devoted family man, survived by his wife, children and grandchildren. Yet his identity extended beyond family ties. Students, colleagues and villagers saw in him a symbol of humility and integrity.

Even in advanced age, he maintained a strict routine. He remained active in community events and scouting activities. His discipline was quiet but firm. His authority came from example, not position.

Lasting Legacy

When he passed away on 18 February 2013, just days before his ninety-first birthday, Bandipora mourned not just a teacher but an institution. His funeral drew large gatherings — a reflection of the lives he had touched.

His legacy continues in multiple ways. Former students remember him as a mentor who shaped their moral compass. The culture of scouting he nurtured still influences youth activities in the region. Events marking Scouts and Guides Day in Bandipora often recall his contributions with respect and gratitude.

Beyond awards and memorials, his true legacy lies in the generations he shaped — individuals who learned discipline, teamwork and service under his guidance.

Lessons from His Life

Affandi’s life offers timeless lessons. Service does not retire with age. Leadership grows from integrity. Education must build character before careers. Youth movements, when guided by dedicated mentors, can transform societies.

In an era when youth engagement faces new challenges, his example reminds us that change begins with commitment at the grassroots. One determined individual can shape an entire region’s culture of service.

Ahmadullah Affandi’s journey — from a young scout trainee to a nationally honoured scoutmaster and respected educator — stands as a beacon of dedication. His life was not marked by wealth or political power, but by service, discipline and compassion.

He transformed ordinary classrooms into training grounds for leadership. He turned scout camps into schools of courage. He lived his values daily.

In remembering Affandi, we remember the power of one life devoted entirely to uplifting others. His story continues to inspire not only Bandipora or Jammu and Kashmir, but educators, volunteers and youth across India who believe that character, service and perseverance remain the true foundations of nation-building.