Nitin Bassi is a Programme Lead for the Water Team at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). He is a Natural Resource Management Specialist with over 17 years of experience in the water sector. His focus areas include water accounting, water energy nexus, circular economy of water, and capacity building for climate action. Before joining the council, he worked with the International Water Management Institute and the Institute for Resource Analysis and Policy. At different times in his professional career, he was engaged as a specialist on specific assignments by the European Commission, World Bank, GIZ, DFID, WRG 2030/IFC, UNICEF, WWF, Department of Biotechnology, and Ministry of Jal Shakti.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-bassi-54a7594a/
Twitter: @NitinBassiN
FB: https://www.facebook.com/nitin.bassi.505
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. It has been one amazing journey full of challenges, learnings, and achievements. There were different phases in my career trajectory- performance, survival, burn out, and recovery. This cycle goes on and it is the sheer perseverance and self-belief that has got me where I am at present.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. As per my experience, timing is very important in any profession. I take pride in having played a key role in establishing the India-EU Water Partnership, a water cooperation agreement between Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India and the European Union which was signed in 2016. I was a member of the Water Quality Task Force, set up by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India in 2017. More recently, I was part of the Ministry of Jal Shakti delegation to the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group 2nd Meeting. Further, for researchers, publications hold immense value, and I am happy to have made some significant contributions to advancing the science and informing the policy making.
Q. What is the most satisfying part in your career?
A. The most satisfying part over the past 17 years is that I worked in the domain of my choice. Trust me, nothing can be more satisfying than this.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. Yes, very much. At IIFM, I could sharpen my research and management skills. We had six months of dissertation work that provided me with an opportunity to work with the globally renowned organization in water and helped me understand the nuances in research. The supervisor professor at IIFM ensured that I followed the sound approach during the research phase which shaped the way I attend or address research problems even now. In fact, my first journal publication was based on the M Phil research work I did while at the IIFM.
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. I had a hunger for success and it remains but at the same time I was never in hurry to fulfil my dreams. I would say follow your ambitions and stay true to yourself. No one will offer things on a platter, one must make their own space, choices and work hard for achieving them. Do remember, luck also favours those who are sincere towards their work. One important thing is to never get bogged down by criticism, as critique and the constructive advice makes our journey better always.
Q. How did you decide to go for higher studies post IIFM? And how was the experience?
A. I was in the MRM course at IIFM which is equivalent to an M Phil degree. 7 years down my professional journey, I decided to go for working professional PhD that did not materialise. In 2018, on the suggestion of a senior colleague, I decided to give one more attempt. I got registered with the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. However, my advice would be to complete the higher studies when one is still in the early stages of the career, otherwise it becomes challenging.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. Before IIFM, I was at FRI and developed a great liking for staying amidst nature. At IIFM, I just found myself to be in continuation of that experience. I walked through a wetland, did rapling, hiked through a dense forest, did lots of sports and many other things. I would like to make a special mention of the food that was used to be prepared at the IIFM mess, believe me it was one of the best I had experienced anywhere else. I believe the legacy continues.
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. In my assessment all of them. While the institution provided the capacity to succeed, its rich alumni base helped with the career growth. In my first job (2006), I was reporting to a colleague from a senior batch. And in my present job (2023), I report to another colleague from the senior batch. So, the connect with IIFM always remained and this is the beauty of being part of the great institutional legacy.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. I would like to share that in Nov 2021, I could accompany some of batchmates for a long outing. We were meeting after a long time, but at no time we felt so between us ?. It was so satisfying to go down the memory lane, discuss our engagements, share our experiences and of course had loads of fun.
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. My suggestions to students would be to engage a lot with the faculties to get benefitted from their rich experience, develop cordial relations with your peers, stay true to yourself, and ask as many questions as you can till you get complete clarity and satisfaction.
And please do not forget to enjoy as IIFM is a wonderful ecosystem so make the most of it.
Q. What was your typical day at the work? And how does it look like while you are on a break?
A. Busy would be an understatement but yes senior roles often bring additional responsibilities. However, this provides a chance to shape the career of young colleagues and at the same time take cognizance of the fresh and innovative ideas they bring on board.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add?
A. I try to keep weekends for the family. The mantra is simple, 5 days in a week are for professional matters and 2 days are for the family. However, it does not always happen!!
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. I like reading and watching anything that has elements of suspense. So, the list is long.
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. It will be pleasure to give back to the institution which has helped shaped my career. I am available for career counselling, taking invited lectures, and contribute to the placements.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there?
A. In my interaction with the students who were at CEEW for internships (OT/SI), I understood that IIFM has now diversified further with a new Course called Sustainable Management apart from few new development sector specific courses being introduced. Further, innovative efforts have been taken up by the IIFM fraternity to maintain contact with its rich alumni base. Regular city specific chapters are organised engaging former and current students. These all are very positive initiatives, my wish is that soon we formalize the annual alumni meet at IIFM.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. I believe it will be beneficial for the IIFM fraternity to hear the experiences of Subhendu Pratihari. He is working with International Committee of the Red Cross.