James is currently working as the Deputy Project Director of Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) and also in the same capacity in the Centre of Excellence for NRM & Sustainable Livelihoods and is based at Shillong. MBMA is a specialized agency of the Govt. of Meghalaya, to implement various External Aided Projects (EAPs) such as the Community Led Landscape Management Project (CLLMP) funded by World Bank, Meghalaya Livelihood Access to Markets Project (M-LAMP) funded by IFAD and MegLIFE funded by JICA. In this capacity, he is leading various innovative initiatives such as the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) – the first in the country, Forest Management Plans, Seedballs dispersal initiatives – manually and drones, amongst many others.
Website: www.mbda.gov.in
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM to this role?
A. First of all, if I were to pen down my journey from IIFM till today, it would take a book to capture my learnings and experiences. However, I will try to limit my reflections. When I first joined IIFM, it was a cacophony of emotions – I was scared, excited and also happy. I was born in Shillong, and my life was centered in this small town. Though I had many friends from other communities, we hardly spoke Hindi, hence coming to IIFM, Bhopal was a culture shock and a rude awakening for me. However, as soon as I joined IIFM, I was fortunate enough that my seniors and also my batchmates comprehend my limited abilities and I was gradually coaxed into this new environment. This was the beginning of a new chapter in my life. My experiences in IIFM, both inside the classrooms and as well as outside, shaped me to be the man I am today, both professional and personal. The classroom debates we had delving on wide ranging issues from finance to societal issues, the villages’ exposure visits opened our eyes on the issues plaguing our rural communities, late night discussions and constructive heated arguments with my batchmates on pertinent issues, and also not to forget our adventurous personal trips/hikes to both near and far places, to name a few, Pachmarhi, Amarkantak, Patalkot, etc. Furthermore, IIFM had democratize many processes and had given a free hand to the students to make decisions on certain aspects as running the Mess/Canteen and also on the Placements, this actually helped me later in my life.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. The journey from IIFM was not always paved with roses, we faced many uncertainties and challenges but we took challenges head on to seek clarifications whenever we had any doubts in our minds which got us the best solution. I got campus placement as a Young Professional at CAPART and after a short orientation at Delhi, I was placed at Peoples’ Science Institute (PSI), Dehradun. As soon as I reached Dehradun, I was anxious to start my career, but also petrified at the same time, being in a new place, a language which I am not very familiar – which some of batchmates still pull my legs when I meet them, no friends or relatives, no support mechanism – but I was determined that I should see this through and complete my tenure of 2 years in the organisation. However, as soon as I joined PSI, the directors, namely, Dr. Ravi Chopra and Debashish Sen, were very accommodating and under their guidance and leadership, I was able to flourish and accomplish many tasks assigned to me. To cut the story short, I was offered an extension, but due to several personal reasons I had declined the offer.
Q. What is the most satisfying part of your current role?
A. Before IIFM, I was not so much aware of the various NRM challenges that were seriously affecting us and our future generations. However, IIFM opened my eyes to these issues and since then I have been working in some capacity or the other to improve these problems. As a Deputy Project Director of a project aimed at managing the natural resources of the state, working to conserve the Natural Resources of the State of Meghalaya is very satisfying as I know that I am contributing to conserve the Natural Resources. My education at IIFM and my professional experiences, have primed me to excel in these endeavors.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. Before MBMA, I was working in 3 other different organisations, and all were related to my education in IIFM. Needless to say, most of the knowledge that I gained at IIFM, I still deploy it today – be it human relations or technical topics such as finance, forestry, computers, research methodology, rural development etc.
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. It would be both difficult and unfair to pinpoint and name only few individuals, as it was a combination of faculties, batchmates and some seniors, who have contributed a lot to my decision making, as far as career is concerned. However, my stint at PSI, in more ways than one, propelled me to what I am today.
In today’s world and trends, we all look for immediate results and also a lucrative salary package, my advice to them is to be patient, learn and hone the skills – these will eventually prove very beneficial in the long run. Furthermore, we all make some mistakes and think that it’s the end of the world, let me reassure you that these are all part of the adventure so learn from them. Finally, do try and develop a heathy relationship with your batchmates (if not all), for there will come a day that you will need their help and guidance. Also interact and connect with your seniors and juniors as all of them complete the wonderful IIFM ecosystem.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. Wow, this is a difficult question to answer, as I have a trove of memories from my IIFM days, right from the first night I landed at IIFM. Till today, whenever I meet my batchmates, we used to recollect those wonderful memories – both in situ and ex situ of IIFM – to use parlance I learnt in IIFM. The late-night volleyball matches – sometimes as late as 11 PM, the last-minute group slogging in finance before an exam and ended up dancing through the night, the late night trips to the PCO in Nehru Nagar to avail the night discounts, Kalpataru where I performed qawwali in my first year, the unsanctioned trips and drives, Holi, amongst many many other memorable events.
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. As mentioned above, it was a combination of all these factors that shaped me to whom I am today. But I would like to add here that my inter-personal skills were refined at IIFM.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. Most of batchmates are best buddies – we still stay in close touch even after 22 years!!! However, when the opportunity presents itself, I do meet Dharmendra Chandurkar, Navin Horo, Swapnil Shekhar, Ashish Aggarwal, Nikhil Mathur, Radhika Agashe, Avinash Kumar, Rohit Magotra and Kaustav Mukhopadhyay.
Q. As an alumni, what’s your advice to freshers or those are joining IIFM to get best out of the 2 years there?
A. It will be the quickest 2 years of your life – like with a blink of an eye. So, learn to manage your time effectively. Just remember, whether it’s in the classroom or outside, it’s always a learning curve. Also, at IIFM, we all come from different ethnicity, region, class, sex so try to learn and accept others point of views.
Q. What is your typical day at the office?
A. I am quite fortunate in this respect as my work not only involves desk job, but field work as well. This, I feel is very important, as you’re in constant touch with the ground realities.
Q. And how about weekends, Hobbies, Family and anything else you want to add.
A. As I just started my family, hence most of my weekends revolves around them.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors
A. I love fiction books, and during my free time I tend to read. I have many favorite authors, currently I’m delving into books by Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series. I’m also a movie buff and would also now and then go to theatres to watch movies with my family and also during free time at home would watch web – series, both Hindi and English.
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? Your engagement with IIFM Placement or OT/SI?
A. I think now that the Alumni Association is very vibrant and would love to contribute to its success and sustainability. As far as OT/SI is concerned, there is a possibility with my organisation.
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. I have not updated myself on the various aspects of IIFM in the current context, however, I was informed that the students intake is much higher than our times, which has its own advantages and disadvantages, and also, if I’m not mistaken, the stipend now is given to only meritorious students, whereas all of us from our batch receives our monthly stipend which is of great help especially for those from economically weaker section of our society.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. I think that many of our batchmates have been covered, however, I myself would be very interested if you can profile/interview Joy Singhal and Soumik Banerjee.