Sridhar holds the unique record of being the first student from the first batch of IIFM who reached campus on 16th June, 1988. He was all set to join IRMA but was destined to be an IIFMíte 😊.
Sridhar is a specialist in agriculture, forestry and rural development with special focus on rural infrastructure development. He has hands on experience in taking up plantations and extension work along with management expertise in vetting and appraisal of projects related to drinking water, roads, schools, Irrigation and more in rural areas.
He has also worked on watershed development projects in Orissa and has handled major project on Agri extension and farmers income enhancement spread over 2500 villages in a district.
He is also involved in FPO policy making apart from training, design and implementation.
Linkedin: Sridhar bhallamudi
Twitter: nabardsridhar
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. I choose an exciting yet stable career path in my long journey. I was with Straw products Ltd which was raw materials wing of JK Paper Mills where Dharmendra Daukia is still there. They offered me great opportunity to learn how to establish a new division of plantation along with plantation research. I joined as Officer and went up to Manager quickly into two years. (1990 May to Sept 1992).
During this period the clonal propagation of Eucalyptus and Casuarina started there along with field level demos and farmers plantations. The division is still very active and doing a wonderful job.
NABARD is only job I ever applied outside campus and got selected in 1992 along with Kundan Kumar my batchmate and Rathore (3rd batch). They have since left.
Over the years I worked in different capacities in Guwahati, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Lucknow and Mumbai. Presently at Jammu heading NABARD Office for both union territories.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. If you are part of big agencies, you will get varied roles. You must be prepared for it. Use domain knowledge everyday. You need to be an all-rounder.
Q. What is the most satisfying part in your career?
A. Everyday gives a new challenge and opportunity to enjoy and relish.
Starting from area development schemes on forestry at Hyderabad to providing loans to Govt of Tamil Nadu for watershed development, drinking water projects in parched areas of TN, tribal development projects in Odisha, project for income augmentation for 33000 farmers in Balasore or teaching FPO’s at Lucknow. Everything gave a reason for rejoicing.
We also had a huge project for computerization of 63000 PACs where we got cabinet approval. I was the one who designed and got it through layers of decision making.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. Every subject taught at IIFM was important. IIFM taught many things inside as well as outside the classrooms along with importance of working in groups and adhering to deadlines which are sacrosanct.
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 still believe Professor Pethia Ji had played great role as the first PFM coordinator.
Then of course Prof. PK Biswas and Rekha Singhal and her gestalt.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. Tensions during final stages about placement was terrible. But the way each of us supported one another was great. Sad part was only one was not placed and we lost total touch with him.
Best was me and Lakshmi not denying when some were addressing us as couple during field visit in Udaipur. Devil and deep sea situation as we had to stay together and if we deny then think of it….
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. Friends and faculty play a crucial role in our life.
Alumni’s are active only post WhatsApp era so now they are helpful.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. I will say everyone from both the batches when we were in campus were great friends.
Animesh was great as roomie.
Prof. Pethia stood by me in toughest part of life.
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. Make each moment a learning opportunity. Fight with friends on silly issues but do not make enemies.
You will know their value after leaving campus.
Q. What was your typical day at the work? And how does it look like while you are on a break?
A. At HOD level, it is all about ego soothing of stake holders and ego boosting of our staff. They deliver the moon for you when you give opportunity.
I hardly took breaks. Work took me to all states except Mizoram and Himachal in our country!
I also remember one of my holiday trip where I had an LTC and visited every dam in Coimbatore area in deep forest with family!
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add?
A. Books and scrabble on Internet Scrabble Club (ISC). I had a ranking at 1900 plus in ISC.
Do not laugh: I am at 5000 level in candy crush!!
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. I love auto biographies so any will do.
In movies, Three idiots and Munna bhai series can be watched any number of times in multiple languages.
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. Think of me. I am there for you all so connect and discuss.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there?
A. Better infra all over the campus, more crowd and someone to look up to.
Pioneer batch had all vacuum.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. Viswanath Shah
Neeraj Prasad
For that matter any one in my batch!