Neeraj started as an executive trainee with BILT, then meandering through IEG (Institute of Economic Growth), Indian Forest Service, he is now with the Indian Revenue Service, currently posted as Principal ADG in the Investigation Wing. During his brief stay at BILT he worked as an afforestation specialist (was shocked when introduced as one, he felt the BILT team is talking about someone else!) & conceptualized a major plantation project at Nagpur, couldn’t initiate though (as in his words he fled from BILT). He then worked on a GEF project for the Institute of Economic Growth , spending a very fruitful and adventurous time at Daltonganj (Jharkhand). Subsequently to Indian Forest Service where he introduced the faculty to share trading ( after himself losing heavily in it, during his days of forced leisure when he was unemployed). Eventually coming to Indian Revenue Service . He considers himself as a libertarian policy wonk, who is ready to roll up his sleeves and get down to the nitty gritty of tax administration & international trade. Taxation of the digital space interests him these days and investigation is his specialization.
His word of encouragement for fellow IIFM’ites is to stay curious (he deliberately did not say stay foolish as he felt he can’t infringe upon the copy right of Steve jobs by copying the whole phrase)!! But on a serious note he feels curiosity will open lot of doors and above all would add to the satisfaction of doing a job well.
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Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. I belong to the first batch of IIFM when it all started. My landing at IIFM was accidental!
My father noticed the advertisement and encouraged me to apply, the course appeared very interesting and a scholarship of Rs 1500 every month was the icing on the cake! But IIFM still remained in the periphery of my thoughts, having gone through the rigour of trying to get into the well known ones, I could manage to secure a seat in Punjab University only (was wait listed but got a final offer eventually).The effort to come to Bhopal for the interview was a tumultuous affair , coming via Calcutta and Raipur, as a result of missed flights, I could reach Bhopal only two days after my scheduled interview date. Bhopal enchanted me from the moment I landed , the auto waala whom I encountered first outside the airport said , kaise hai saheb, pichhle baar aap mere he saath baithe the .. I broke into a smile and said , chalo tum bol rahe ho toh sach hi hoga , waise mai pahle baar Bhopal aaya hu We both laughed and off we went to the city . Next day with much trepidation I reached the campus , half expecting to be sent back, met Prof . Pethiya & explained the circumstances, he agreed and thus I appeared in the interview, finally securing the admission. The campus was enchanting, wind swept with a panoramic view , the song of a Dharmendras movie came to my mind ..dil kahe ruk ja re ruk ja yahi par kaahi , jo baat is jagah par hai woh Kahi par nahi .. .
We joined, few short of 30. It was bonhomie and camaraderie from the word go. The academic rigour hit us straight away , and it so traumatized me and my Roomie ( Nikhil Jain ) that we decided to quit , the feeling .. hum se nahi ho payega .. came to us! Better sense prevailed and we tied to cope and then got used to…. The facility was spanking new, despite teething problem related to mess facilities, the stay became comfortable by the day, this is when Chandu and Gang appeared and stayed there for good 🙂
We came across victims of Bhopal gas tragedy which was recent memory and were shocked at their plight. A bibliophile like me felt like being in the library all the time. The course structure was unique, it was fascinating to be exposed to such a wide spectrum of knowledge body. I was a middling student , more keen on exploring the place. We used to move around the city, fascinated by its ambience & mystique, guided by local Bhopalis in the course. I managed to hook some of my batchmates to my very peculiar hobby of train spotting and movies (not so peculiar). Visited all the theatres of Bhopal, discovered that Bhopal theatres did not have night show then, the last show ended at 8, reaching back the campus was an adventure in itself. While we enjoyed every bit of the course, OTs(now called SI & Project Work), field visits, future was an uncertain road map. I was lucky to spend my OT-1 at Bastar and could explore this vast pristine area, which now seems like a dream. The course ended, I was not happy with my placement, it was with BILT, quit within months and came face to face with the ugly fact of they being entwined in the turbulent affairs of Gadhchiroli(Maharashtra).
I came to Delhi, my base station, hopeful that I will land a job, my batchmates also helped, but it was not to be and after a year plus hiatus, I could land the job of a Research Associate with the very prestigious Institute of Economic Growth. I stayed there for more than a year, it was a wonderful and exhilarating experience. I interacted with the top names in the field of Social Sciences, they were also appreciative of learning’s I acquired at IIFM & encouraged me to do PhD. I secured an admission with the school of Tropical Forestry, Wageningen University, Netherlands. Though it was not to be, family circumstances changed my career priorities, I started looking towards IFS and Civil Services. Managed to clear both & here I am. It has been a journey with its ups and down.
Q. How has been your experience in your current Organization? What all areas are you covering here?
A. There has been many high moments in this job, I have been a part of the GST roll out team and have handled WTO related assignments, my specialization is investigations.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. While I am apparently removed from the core field of forestry/ environment, but I own to IIFM for broadening my intellectual horizon. At the forest academy me and Vishwanath Shah (IIFM batchmate and Addl PCCF, Jharkhand) were derided upon, when we introduced ourselves as alumni of IIFM, but the detractors and others quietened very soon, when they realized that as far as exposure to the field of forestry is concerned we were miles ahead. Then again peculiar circumstances made me shift to IRS. Here it was baptism by fire from the day go, dealing with an opaque environment with corrupt interests lurking at every corner was very shocking and discouraging to say the least, but I have the satisfaction of keeping my spine straight and doing what is expected from a senior Government officer.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. Mind travels to IIFM days every now and then. Two incidents comes to my mind immediately.
We had a quirky but lovable Prof in the form of Prof Jayaraman of Systems, he announced that he would be holding a open book exam, a novelty for all of us! And while crossing his chamber, I noticed a book open on his table, I quietly tip toed and saw the title of the book, I could sense that he is preparing questions for the term from this book, I went to the library located the solution book (there was only one copy), come the exam day, everyone is stunned by the quirky questions but I am gleeful as ever, I could quickly identify the solutions and without batting an eyelid went ahead and just maxed it, I was ecstatic! The result came, everyone flunked but my score was close to 100 percent. Prof got suspicious and asked me to appear again, this time no open book, with expected outcome !!
Then there was a stream down the slope on one of the edges of the IIFM hillock, the stream drained in the lake behind, once trying to retrieve a ball, I swam deep down the slope, realizing that if I don’t try to come back, I will drown , YP my batchmate could sense my dangerous predicament and was brave enough to swim towards me to rescue me, a adventure not recommended for anyone.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM?
A . The profs were all one family, and I am still in touch with Prof Biswas. The entire batch was and still is very close to each other, it’s one big family , and each one forged a unique path for themselves and are leading a professionally satisfying life.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add? Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A . My favorite past time is reading, this is how I unwind, I like to read anything and everything under the Sun, I especially like Science fiction, Asimov is my all time favorite and I have recently discovered Caixin Liu, Emily St John Mandel. My wife, Meenakshi, an ex officer with LIC is a classical vocalist associated with Benares Gharana, through her I could meet the legends of Hindustani classical music, which is like a dream come true, she is also an author, her book “ Mind & Music” has recently been published by Moti Lal Banarasi Das. I have two daughters , Vartika is working with the OECD ( Paris ) & Darshita , a Masters , pursuing her independent dreams( so many of them).
Q . What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there?
A. IIFM is a wonderful institution, it has blossomed and have an inspirational leadership & faculty at the moment . The intellectual depth it helps acquire, will hold us in good stead anywhere and everywhere. Dream big and do well !! Wishing everyone all the best !!