Q. How has been your journey from IIFM to this role?
A. The then two-year IIFM’s PFM course was designed with a blend of classroom teachings by qualified regular and guest faculties, discussions of practical case studies, regular assignments, cross-sectoral organizational field works, and training. This provided exposure to diverse cultures and enriched experiences and also broadened my outlook towards choosing the right career thus enhanced value in professional life.
I completed Organizational Training in Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited, Gujarat (a place near to Kevadia ) and in PEDO, a community-based NGO that began its existence as the Bicchiwara Block Extension program of the Social Work and Research Centre (SWRC), Tilonia. PEDO is located in Dungarpur District, one of the most backward districts of Rajasthan. Sri Devilal Vyas, Director, PEDO was a product of The Social Work & Research Center (SWRC), Tilonia, widely known as the Barefoot College, established by Padma Shri Sunjit (Bunker) Roy.
I joined as Subject Matter Specialist in Dungarpur Integrated Wastelands Development Program, later renamed as Participatory Approach to Human & Land Resources Development Program (PAHAL) funded by the Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA) to the tune of INR 350 Crores. In a year I was promoted as Head, Lead NGO. Later for few months, I worked as Research Associate in IIM Ahmedabad for its World Bank assisted Evaluation of Elimination of Guinea worm disease, a neglected disease caused by the parasite: Dracunculus medinensis. The disease affects poor communities in remote parts of tribal areas that do not have safe water to drink. There is neither a drug treatment for Guinea worm disease nor a vaccine to prevent it. The disease is transmitted by drinking unfiltered water from ponds and other stagnant surface water sources.
After two years I joined IIFM again in the first batch of MRM in 1994-95. This gave me an opportunity to pursue studies with in-service forest officials and exposure to students from Nepal, Srilanka, and Lao PDR.
On completion, I returned to Andhra Pradesh (native state) and joined O/o Dy. Conservator of Forests steering Watershed & APRLP (Andhra Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Program) funded by DFID (Department for International Development). Besides this, I founded an NGO – DISHA (Development Institute for Sustainable Habitats) and also played the role of President, Neelgiri NGOs Network till I joined an international NGO in the capacity of Director, in training and capacity building of fishing communities in establishing Micro Enterprise Units in three states: Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu & Puducherry. Due to restructuring, I had to leave the organization.
Meanwhile, I co-founded an NGO along with my wife: Global Ability in Disability (Global AID) in 2008 operating in the remotest tribal and rural areas of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam districts of Andhra Pradesh. Our flagship program: HEALSS (Health, Education, Agroforestry, Livelihood, Solar & Sports). Global AID started elementary education centers in remotest tribal areas where there are school-aged children but no government schools to attend. So far Global AID has been instrumental in directly educating 2245 children from KG to Graduation and indirectly supporting 5500 families.
My passion for education continues. I completed Post Graduations in Psychology and also Post Graduation in Yoga & Consciousness. I received an academic award, Andhra University Gold Medal for PG in Yoga. I am still a student continuing Law at Andhra University.
After PG in Yoga, I started Health & Wellness Institute in memory of my Mother and Mother-in-Law: AVINASHH (Adiseshu Vanajakshi Institute of Natural & Alternative Systems for Health & Healing). After four years of research, I have innovated millet flour that eases making jowar, bajra, and other millet rotis. I got a prototype machine fabricated capable of making millet rotis. The flour is tested in FSSAI Accredited Laboratory and found to be gluten-free. AVINASHH has been selected, incubated, and poised to receive funding to further extend its food business.
Q. What are some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. MILESTONES-
- Returning to IIFM & completing MRM (M.Phil. in NRM) First Batch 1994-95.
- Establishment of Not for Profit organizations (DISHA, Global AID) serving the underprivileged communities living in the remotest tribal and rural areas of Andhra Pradesh.
- My marriage with a Woman with Disabilities (Polio & Gross Scoliosis) underwent 18 surgeries and a series of 52 electrical shocks that helped to regain her voice and upper body movement.
- Establishment of a for-profit organization – AVINASHH (Adiseshu Vanajakshi Institute of Natural & Alternative Systems for Health & Healing), a Health & Wellness Center in memory of Mother & Mother-in-law.
- Assuming the charge as the Founding President, AAUM Yoga ( Association of Andhra University Masters of Yoga, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh).
- Ease of making Jowar/Bajra (Millet Roti) through innovating Gluten Free flour and fabrication of the computerized machine to make them. Selection of M/s. AVINASHH by IIMR {Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR) of Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), New Delhi among hundreds of applicants to receive Grant-in-Aid.
- Paper presentations at International Conferences (Australia, Macau, Rwanda, Taiwan, and the USA).
- Recognition and Awards from Government (Department of AYUSH) & NGO (THARUNI MITRA).
LEARNINGS –
- Experience means not repeatedly doing the same task/activities, it is taking up new/challenging tasks or doing the same tasks differently that are never done before or never done in the manner/method before, thus adding value to the activity. In Yoga, it is defined as skill in action (“Yoga karmasu kausalam“).
- The foundation for sustainable development and its success depends on effective public-private and civil society partnerships.
- Believe in exploration. It is the foundation for innovation/creativity.
Q. What is the most satisfying part of your current role?
A. Providing education to 2450 children of school-going age in remotest tribal and rural areas of Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts of Andhra Pradesh where there are no government schools. Hence, we not only establish ‘Elementary Education Centers‘ but also created pedagogy using ‘Activity Based Learning‘. After one or two years Government converts these centers into schools by appointing teachers. However, Global AID staff continues to work there. Most of the children have completed graduation too. Eighty percent of them are girls whose parents have died or under the supervision of single mothers. This paved way for stopping early marriages.
Designing and implementing flagship program: HEALSS (Health, Education, Agroforestry, Livelihoods, Solar and Para-sports).
Business promotion of innovated food products – Millet flours, Plant-based Detox Drinks.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. Yes. It instilled confidence to articulate my ideas. The time spent in the IIFM Library with books, FAO Journals, World Bank Reports, UNDP Reports, Peer-reviewed articles international magazines has enhanced my knowledge base.
Regular assignments have increased written skills. Classroom presentations using OHP (overhead projector) has driven away stage fear. These have shaped me and have helped to a large extent in performing professional roles.
The Weekend field works and OTs (organisational training) at IIFM did give an opportunity to understand the problems communities face in real life.
Q. 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.
i) Career Drivers –
• Serving the most vulnerable communities around us
• Health, Education & Employment sectors
ii) Advice –
Choosing the right sector is very crucial in life. Post decision, stick to it. Remain in the organization for at least 3 years (1000 working days). The least priority factor in decision making should be remuneration. Job satisfaction should be the top priority.
Take the initiative to be a problem solver.
Q. What are your favorite memories of IIFM days?
A. There are many –
- Solitary exploration of nature on campus
- Glimpses of Hyena while going to Mess to have breakfast, the long snake with a frog in its mouth
- Holi celebrations
- Kalpataru (Annual Day)
- Contributing to Canopy magazine
- Spending time with pet Dogs before the mess
- Waiting for my turn to play table tennis
- Having meals in Bapu ki Kutia when the mess was closed
- Gluttons Club
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. Books, magazines, journals, World Bank & UN Reports in the library, field works, organizational training, and assignments all played a critical role in shaping me as a professional.
Q. The best buddies/seniors/faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. Nothing specific. Since the group was small in number, the interaction was more.
Honey Bee chase near the library, also staffs of hostel & mess were very helpful.
Q. As an alumnus, what’s your advice to freshers or those who are joining IIFM to get the best out of the 2 years there?
A. Make the best use of the books, magazines, journals, reports in the library. Develop your signature style of writing. This will enhance your articulation skills.
Also, explore the city and tourist places in and around Bhopal.
Q. What is your typical day at the office?
A. Communicating with staff and getting updates from the field staff, Thinking about innovative programs, and writing proposals, Being at the forefront in troubleshooting, Attending to donors, Innovating business systems processes.
Q. And how about weekends, Hobbies, Family, and anything else you want to add?
A. Hobbies: Cycling, Photography, learning new languages, and painting.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. Books: Related to Development, Yoga, and Cooking.
Movies: History Channel, National Geographic, Animal World, etc.
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. In my capacity, I would like to mentor interested students.
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. There are many things which have got changed over the two decades –
- The number of students’ intake has increased.
- The infrastructure of the campus has improved.
- There are more Clubs/ Committees/ Cell now.
- Recruitment of industry-related and guest faculty from foreign universities is the need of the hour.
- Sector-specific student exchange program with different academic institutes
- Not a satisfactory Website. (Updating???)
- I did PFM and M.Phil. But updating the details capturing both is not provided on the website.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. Batch wise profiling in a sequence starting from the first batch would add value.