Ajith Chandran (PFM 1991–93) is currently Managing Director of Development Interlinks International, a private limited company with verticals in the sector of environment, energy, education, and health. He is also on the advisory board of a few SMEs and startups. He advises NGOs and academic institutions. He is a member of the Water Working Group of the IET’s (Institute of Engineering and Technology’s) Future Tech Panel, earlier known as the Internet of Things. He also volunteers as an Executive Committee Member of the Chevening Alumni India. He has experience of working with a wide range of organizations from grassroots level institutions to funding agencies. He has worked with Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, Aga Khan Foundation, University of Edinburgh, University of British Colombia, IMA International, CIFOR, Oxfam, etc. His expertise lies in areas of community-based forest management, Indigenous and tribal development, and policy communication.
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM to the current role?
A. It’s been a long and fulfilling journey of nearly three decades. Bear with me while I go through old memory lanes. At IIFM, I had the good fortune to explore the working of various sectors like NGOs, companies, development corporations, and of course, the Forest Departments, through field works and organizational training placements. After passing out from IIFM in 1993, I joined an NGO, called Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) in Gujarat. Working with tribal communities and interfacing with the Forest Department was a key role.
It was a rare hands-on experience working with professionals in remote areas. From managing over 100 decentralized nurseries to supervising plantation activities in forests spread across 30 to 40 villages, often in the thick of torrential rain, is an unforgettable experience. My team and I wrote and initiated one of the earliest micro plans for a Joint Forest Management village. We did innumerable numbers of Participatory Rural Appraisals, and analyzed reams of data on old 386 computers, arbitrated heated village conflicts in the dead of night, planned and executed large structures like check dams and forest ponds with the community, and initiated large scale women involvement in programmes (leading to its dynamics!).
We also helped out with other programmes like biogas development, irrigation projects, marketing of farm produce, savings and credit, and a slew of other things. When I left AKRSP(I) two years later, I recounted over 120 items, big and small, that we as a team had initiated, experimented, and established. During this period, I also mastered driving the heavy Enfield Bullet through the uneven cattle paths, a challenge, considering my light build! Joining the University of Edinburgh research fellowship in 1995 was a completely different experience. My colleague (who later became my wife) and I had to establish a state research unit in Gujarat. The research allowed us to explore the tribal community and their traditions closely. As we got close to the tribal families, we were invited to innumerable ceremonies and functions. Over the next two years, we became part of traditional ceremonies and activities of such intricacy and beauty that it left us spellbound. Some of these rituals bordered on magic and mysticism! I also came close to the local forest department officials and understood their capacities and limitations, and their joys and tribulations. The research enhanced our skills and knowledge, especially since we were associated with senior forest department officers and well-accomplished professors from the UK. During this research, we traveled to several places in India for research. We explored the nuanced relationships that existed between forest and tribal communities. This understanding helped me considerably in my next job.
I joined the Aga Khan Foundation (India) (AKF-I) in 1997 as an Advisor to enhance the research, networking, and policy advocacy in forest management. I closely collaborated with state forest departments and with the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) in New Delhi. A few highlights of the period were that I was instrumental in the establishment of the first state-level Joint Forest Management Cell in Gujarat, promoted the institutionalising of Divisional Level Working Groups and supported the National Level JFM Network. During this period, I collaborated with several NGOs, institutions, bilateral and multilateral funding agencies in the area of forest and development. Later, I was invited by the MoEF to be part of many committees, including a four-member committee to draft the National JFM Scheme for the 10th Five Year Plan.
Having reached a peak within forestry, I left AKF-I in December 2001 and started consulting on a wide range of associated areas, from desert development to disaster preparedness, from food security to poverty alleviation. In 2003, I was selected for a Chevening Scholarship on Environment Management, probably the first person from IIFM for this prestigious scholarship in the UK. Later, I was also selected by the Center for International Forest Research (CIFOR) for global research on Poverty and the Environment. In 2007, I moved to the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, to do my doctoral programme on communication and governance. I was fortunate to have Prof. John Innes as my supervisor. Prof. John was part of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) team that shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore.
During my study at UBC, apart from the forest, I joined classes on entrepreneurship as well. I attended quite a few entrepreneurship lectures including from some of the famous personalities like Kevin O Leary (of Shark Tank fame). After a decade in Canada, I decided to partially relocate to India and get involved in the current development scenario. Being here, I have been part of entrepreneurship selection; identifying promising startups for an Atal Incubation Centre (Niti Ayog). In 2018, I was part of a team to identify finalists from a statewide exercise initiated by the Uttar Pradesh government to support startups. One of the main contentions that I have is that strategies and outcomes for “sustainable livelihood” vis a vis “wealth creation” are fundamentally very different. With changing opportunities in India, I am exploring how entrepreneurship can be a game-changer for rapid growth and development.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. Most of us aspire for a regular, well-paying job. There is nothing wrong in that. However, if circumstances permit and you have it in you to move away from a fixed paying job, I have found that exploring possibilities is very fulfilling and rewarding. The treasure of experience is enormous. The caveat, however, is that when you do decide to do something, do give your full effort and take it to its logical conclusion.
Q. What is the most satisfying part of your current role?
A. I am constantly challenged with new areas that make me keep learning. For example, one of the companies that I advise had developed an antiviral formulation in 2019, that had undergone animal testing with positive results. It is now being marketed in India and Europe. The Covid situation has created its own set of opportunities and challenges. With the changed scenario, we are looking at online marketing and sales, something completely new. My current role is making me stay in India, connect with old networks, and make new ones. To be present in India and contributing to the developmental efforts is very satisfying.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. While the regimented campus learning at IIFM plays a role at the individual level, the brand of the institute has also been valuable outside. IIFM definitely helped ground my management skills as well as it shaped my personality. However, both these attributes need continuous honing.
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your careers? What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles.
A. Mr. Shankar Narayanan, currently at the World Bank, who selected me at the IIFM interview, has been a colleague, friend, and mentor. All professors at IIFM and the University of British Columbia who were my teachers and supervisors have been dear to me. Of them, Prof VK Bahuguna who retired as Director-General of ICFRE Dehradun, and Prof John Innes, currently Dean, Faculty of Forestry, UBC, Vancouver, has professionally been of much influence. As an event, getting the Chevening Scholarship of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), the UK was a key influence. General advice to young friends is to respect everyone. As you grow older, the networks that you have genuinely cultivated and actively belong to, are your greatest assets. For those who want to work in the environment sector where community development is involved, my advice is to immerse in the field as early as possible, make sure to reach out to others who have been there and don’t hesitate to take chances as it presents itself. To develop oneself, present at quality meetings and workshops held locally and abroad. This will allow you to improve your writing and oratory skills and connect you with your peers globally.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. All field trips, especially the trip to Goa! The occasional sighting of snakes under your feet that makes your hair stand on end, lazy impromptu late evening musicals, high spirited(!) ramble from IIFM to faculty quarters during Holi, and many others that are best left unsaid…
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution (courses, faculty, library, friends, alumni.. Anything else!!) or take away from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. Everything had its role; a few faculty and friends played critical roles at certain junctures. I also think that the IIFM brand was seen positively by the Forest Department, which helped me professionally.
Q. The best buddies/seniors/faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. To be honest, it is difficult to point out best buddies, as each person from my class was equally close. We have continued our close relationships even today. If I have to pick one person, then it has to be Suvendu Pati, who was my roommate and a thorough gentleman. Being the topper in our class, I am sure some of his academic prowess helped me sail through as well. Though I was not very involved with my seniors and juniors then, I have very fond memories of quite a lot of them. Many of them continue as great friends outside IIFM. A memorable and unforgettable incident is about a snake, a very long beautiful cobra, sighted next to our residence. This was one of the few times when half the students wanted to kill it, and the rest tried to let it go. But whenever the cobra hissed, it sent a shiver that got the crowd frenzied. It was finally killed. It has been immortalized with an article written by me in IIFM’s newsletter titled; “To kill or not to kill, that is the question.”
Q. As an alumnus, what’s your advice to freshers or those are joining IIFM to get best out of the 2 years there?
A. Nothing complicated. Just be thoroughly involved, make the best out of the two years, and remember, these years will never come back.
Q. What is your typical day at the office?
A. Currently, everything is online. Till 3.00 PM I avoid having meetings unless preplanned. Otherwise, it is very flexible. Other than a few blocked time slots for personal activities, there are no time limits. Even though I can, I rarely work out of pajamas. While working, I am fully dressed, right up to being booted, wherever I am!
Q. You would like to share about your typical weekends.. Hobbies.. Family..
A. I try to spend every Friday evening with family, reliving old stories and discussing till late at night. A new hobby that I have is to relearn Sanskrit which I had as a subject in school. I have stopped spending any time on Facebook or Twitter and have shifted to Youtube and podcasts.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors, ..
A. Apart from a variety of professional subject books, of late, I have been reading Gitaupdesh, and books related to ancient Indian history. I also listen to self-help and motivational audiobooks. Some authors are Anthony Robbins, Jim Rohn, Robert Kiyosaki. I love watching English science fiction movies. It has been ages since I watched any Indian movies.
Q. IIFM is driven by alumni’s passion and commitments towards its goal. How would you like to contribute to IIFM or IIFM alumni, students?
A. I have contributed financially and non financially (by giving guest lectures, etc.) and I will continue to do so whenever possible. In case any alumni would like to connect with me for any reason, they are welcome to do so.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there? What do you think is a positive change and what is not?
A. IIFM during my time, i.e. the fourth batch, was a close group of just PGDFM students and faculty, exploring and trying to find its place. Now IIFM is well established, with a much larger intake of students and large faculty. This year 2020 is atypical. Academic year, internships, as well as campus recruitments have probably got disrupted due to the pandemic. A new normal has to settle.
Besides this, the recent news that MoEFCC is going to disinvest (financially and administratively) from IIFM in the next three years brings additional challenges and opportunities. Hopefully, taking this as an opportunity, IIFM should harness its connections, use technologies available, and develop a futuristic model. The model should have a mix of online and off-campus resources that have strategic impact and revenue-generating potentials. Overall, I am happy to see a good number of alumni well established in the non-forest sectors. Nevertheless, I also think we need to use the affinity with the Forest Department more strategically. Maybe a bit too late with the disinvestment looming, but this situation could help identify long term strategic links and working arrangements with MoEF.
Q. Any suggestions on who from our alumni you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. Suvendu Pati (1991–93), General Manager, Reserve Bank of India, Vineet Rai (1992–94), Founder, The Aavishkaar Group