Like a seed, I yearn to break through the soil and bloom…
Amit is a proactive and achievement-oriented professional with data analytics and data science roles, leveraging a background in statistical analysis, MBA, and mechanical engineering. Proficient in Statistical Methods and Analytics, complemented by practical experience in project execution and research.
He has a great experience in managing projects under governmental initiatives and NGO collaborations, focusing on poverty mitigation and women empowerment through data-driven approaches. Skillful in leveraging programming languages such as Python and R, along with proficiency in SQL for data analysis and visualization tools like Power BI and ongoing training in Tableau.
LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/amit-srijan
Website: www.safaar.in
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/safaar-online/
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/safaar_in/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/safaariin/
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. Full of adventures!
I have used the platform that IIFM provided me to venture out in sectors that were unknown to me previously.
I am from Chatra, Jharkhand. After completing my Mechanical Engineering, I was in Kolkata where I appeared for the GD-PI. OM Prakash Sir and KK Jha Sir took my interview. A few interview questions are still fresh in my mind. Some events are life-changing moments that are always imprinted in us. It was that moment for me.
I reached IIFM campus early morning, it was a rainy day. My roommate Utkarsh Agrawal reached a day earlier. We started exploring the campus together. Two years flew like a pleasant wind that created many unforgettable memories in term of friends, events, academic learnings & life learnings.
I got placed in SRIJAN, which allowed me to learn and explore the development sector. My immediate senior, Asha Rojline Kujur, helped me understand and settle at my job location. After six months, I was directly handling a plantation project (50L), Soil & Water conservation projects (1Cr), Rajasthan government Agricultural projects, and financial linkages of SGHs. There was a 1000 ltr/day capacity dairy run by women with the support of SRIJAN team where i was involved. It was an amazing learning from me starting from planning to the marketing of the dairy business. I was also the plant in charge of the Custard apple pulp extraction plant, where SHG women worked with a production of 200kg/day of pulp. One of my immediate senior from IIFM, Achin Sir (PFM 2014) was monitoring the logistics part.
I worked for one year across different locations in Rajasthan. I learned about project management, resource allocation, human management, proposal and budget preparation, and other related things. This was my first job and I got freedom and support from the organization and also lot of guidance from Asha Ma’am, Gyan and Achin Sir.
Advait Sir had told me before joining SRIJAN that I would get a chance to learn more in an organization like SRIJAN and it was true in every sense.
However between all this, making my own business was always on the back of my mind.
Story of Safaar.in
My passion for travel began in childhood, as my father, an ex-army personnel, was frequently posted to different locations. This constant movement allowed me to explore new places and cultures, shaping my love for travel. During my schooling, I traveled extensively with my family, and it continued at IIFM. Our batch had visited many eco-tourism sites during field trips and my internship with WWF at Ranthobhore Tiger Reserve & Kunu-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary (2014) gave me an even closer look at eco-tourism. I developed a deep interest in eco-tourism in my IIFM days.
After working in SRIJAN for one year, I left the job to start working on my idea. I along with my elder brother Ajay Bhagat (who graduated from BIT Sindri and did his MBA from MDI Gurgaon) and my sister-in-law Pooja Nandani (who graduated in Computer Science & did MBA from NMIMS, Mumbai) came up with a plan for a start-up that can provide completely customized travel solutions to the guests.
The decisive moment for starting Safaar came when my brother booked his honeymoon through one of the country’s top travel companies. Despite paying a hefty amount, the experience was disastrous—poor planning, subpar services, and zero customer support. Even during the trip, their calls for assistance went unanswered. This disappointing experience sparked a discussion within our family, leading to the idea of Safaar—a travel company committed to providing truly personalized trips, exceptional services, and 24×7 customer support.
I took charge of business development, market expansion strategy, partner selection, and engagement. Additionally, I handled website design and content creation. As the business gained momentum and received encouraging feedback, my family members took over the daily operations. Now, I contribute by providing insights into market trends, analytics, and strategic decisions to drive further growth.
Reasons for building Safaar Online, Current Status & Way Forward:
- Gap identification
Gaps were observed during secondary research with my friends & families. There were multiple occasions when unplanned itineraries, inadequate service quality, and pathetic after-sales support were recorded. Unfortunately people had similar experience even after taking services from India’s prominent players. Primary research and personal experiences also supported these gaps clearly. - Solution
We have reviewed identified Gaps and worked on a detailed value prop as if we are travelling or our parents are travelling. We make itineraries after detailed interaction with Guests, knowing their likenesses, and preferences. A dedicated Personalized destination expert is assigned, who will be their Point of Contact from the planning stage till the completion of the trip. We are very particular about the onboarding of Properties and transport partners. Long-term commitment and ethical transactions have given them confidence during these years. - Business viability
Indian tourism market is growing. Travel & Tourism market in India is projected to reach US$ 125 billion by FY27 from an estimated US$ 75 billion in FY20. It clearly shows huge opportunity. The right positioning will encourage business viability. Success will depend on factors like Personalized services, differentiation, operational efficiency by leveraging technology and the ability to provide a unique customer experience. - What’s unique in our initiative / why customers select us!
We differentiate from others by focusing on customer delight by providing personalized engagements, best services and true value for money. We have a large section of repeat customers that shows our Quality and Trust. Our 24/7 customer support adds lot of confidence to it. Our core strength is being well-qualified and passionate destination experts. - Current target area
We are targeting more on lead generations and maximizing conversion, corporate engagements, onboarding more Properties, transport partners and Team expansion. Special attention is on digitalization, branding and deep marketing. - Plan of expansion
Yes, we have a robust plan of expansion this year on the following fronts – Service Diversification by introducing Cultural and Rural Tourism, Start of Loyalty Program, Technology Integration, Geographical Expansion through strategic partnership & alliances, Marketing & Branding. - Work in progress (current work)
Currently, we are working on lead generation through Branding, Digital Marketing, Team Building and Service Diversification. - Achievement
Maximizing Customer retention, satisfaction and delights are our key achievements. We proudly say that there is no difference between commitment and delivery. - Scope of improvement
Increasing new customer Acquisition through Branding, Digital Marketing & referral would be the areas where we need special focus for improvement. It is crucial for further growth and business expansion. Scaling up by keeping our core as a Personalized service will be focus areas.
Kick of Business & Approach
From 2015 to 2022, We gave our time to get to know the tourism industry better. Our team visited new places and stayed in different properties, trying to understand business from the perspective of property owners, transporters, customers, along other related stakeholders. In these years, we developed our team, made a website; www.safaar.in, made multiple collaborations with properties and transporters across India, and started taking bookings and expanding business based on our market research aligning value propositions.
As per our business model, our destination expert explains every single detail to customers and guide them to the different options of itinerary along with stay alternatives with actual photographs based on their preferences and choices. After getting confirmation from our guest, we book everything and plan nicely. Every progress is being tracked by the destination expert for better execution for a great experience.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. My environment of upbringing played a very important role in my observer attitude, which gradually inculcate exploring new places, meeting new people and testing different cuisines.
Joining IIFM helped me to channelize random thoughts, I believe it was my first milestone, systematic learning and understanding of business fundamentals which I gathered by distinguished Professors has paved the way for my second milestone, Safaar Online. Building a business in 6-7 years was an interesting roller-costa ride. Family support was unparalleled. We made effective and very efficient team, expanded pan India and to major foreign countries. When we achieved economy of scale and operational excellence, I looked for the next big learning as Statistical Analytics and Machine Learning which is essential for any business now a day. I explored different study options and chose the best in the class – ISI – Indian Statistical Institute where the entrance exam was really challenging. This “Institute of National Importance” taught me every possible concept of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. I consider this as the third milestone. After completion, I got an opportunity to join team of Data Scientists for JK Paper.
Q. How has been your experience in your current Organization? What all areas have you been working here?
A. As a Data Scientist at JK Paper, prime focus is on optimizing paper manufacturing processes. With a background in Mechanical Engineering, It is easy to understand how plant machinery works, and my knowledge of Forestry Management helps me approach raw material sourcing and sustainability. Combining this with my data science skills, I use machine-generated data to build machine-learning models. These models help improve production efficiency, predict yields, and maintain consistent product quality. By applying data-driven solutions, my role is to boost efficiency and reduce costs and waste. Since I am based at the plant I can modify and retune the model according to its requirements and take feedback from users easily. I am getting a huge opportunity to learn and experiment.
Q. What is the most satisfying part in your career?
A. Making and building a business; Safaar Online, is the most interesting and satisfying part of my journey.
It is so heartening to see a guest completing a trip with us and sending his feedback as it is reflection on all our hard work.
There is just one feedback I would like to include here as it is from an IIFM’ite.
Feedback From – Parvej Sir (PFM 13)
As the year-end approached with a heavy workload, I struggled to finalize our holiday plans. Just when I thought it might not happen, Safaar came to the rescue. Long drives are something my wife, daughters, and I cherish, so I reached out to Amit for suggestions and bookings, especially since prices were skyrocketing at the time.Safaar went above and beyond, organizing a seamless 10-day road trip for us from Mumbai to Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. This turned out to be one of the most memorable trips of my life. Every hotel and resort was thoughtfully booked, keeping in mind the comfort and needs of my two little ones, which made the journey even more enjoyable.
A special thanks to Arpit from the team, who ensured we proudly flaunted our beautiful hoodies during the trip.
This was the second time I availed Safaar’s services, and once again, they exceeded expectations. Each experience reinforces my belief that Safaar is destined for great success. My heartfelt gratitude to Amit and the entire Safaar team for making our trip so unforgettable. Wishing you all the best as you continue to reach greater heights!
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. My teachers at IIFM was my biggest influencers and mentors in my career. I will always remember the time management lesson of CSR Sir. My Business understanding and showing path of Entrepreneurship goes to Manmohan Sir. Marketing mantra that I used in my business taught by Jaysree Ma’am and many more.
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. Since my graduation, I’ve tried many new things and faced several challenges, with the support of my family and the people around me, I kept trying. IIFM was one such experiment. All faculty, interactions with alumni, courses, and field trips have been instrumental in shaping my career. At IIFM, A.K. Dharni Sir recommended the Coursera course “Learning How to Learn,” which also influenced my approach to learning. I’m grateful for the people I can turn to for guidance and support—whether it’s my family, friends, or alumni network.
Recently, my interactions with Paul Basil Sir, Ravi Sir, Amar Saxena Sir, our AA president Sandeep Sir, Rishi Sir, Kallol Sir, Alok Ranjan Sir, and many others have been incredibly helpful. They’ve guided me, supported me emotionally and professionally, and given me a strong sense of belonging. To IIFM graduates, I encourage you to believe in yourselves. Take risks, follow your passions, and don’t let others or society decide your future. Try, experiment, fail, learn, and grow. The future is full of possibilities, and you’ll only discover them by accepting new challenges.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. One of the most important lessons I learned at IIFM is to believe in myself and trust that I can find a way forward. We may not always know everything or have all the answers, but if we focus on using the knowledge and resources we have, we can figure out how to approach and solve any problem. This mindset has been invaluable in helping me face challenges with confidence.
Q. How did you decide to go for higher studies post IIFM? And how was the experience?
A. Data science and analytics play a crucial role in any business. At IIFM, I had the opportunity to learn advanced data analysis under the guidance of CVRS Sir, which is the foundation of my understanding of the field. I truly appreciate the well-designed syllabus at IIFM, which I consider a futuristic curriculum. It not only aligns with current market needs but also provides a strong foundation for exploring advanced topics in the future.
For my business and to understand the customer’s favourite destination and other related queries I have to depend on a third party who not only charge high fees but also state many things that I could not understand. For that, I started looking for sustainable solutions to educate myself on these concepts. I got to know about many courses in data science at the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata. I appeared in its entrance exam and after clearing the interview I got a chance to learn from one of the pioneer and world-famous Institute known for statistics, research and study.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. When I look back, every moment feels special, bringing a natural smile on my face as I remember those events. Climbing India Gate, rooftop parties, late-night programs, watching movies at SANGAM, exploring the core area of Van Vihar, visiting the Rawatbhata Nuclear Power Plant, one late-night raid by Dharni Sir at the Nilgiri Hostel rooftop, countless field trips, my internship with WWF at Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, birthday celebrations, the Kerwa Dam visit, Table tennis, late-night badminton with Saurabh Maity and Utkarsh, lawn tennis with Nagendra, and long conversations with Sarvana about wildlife and other topics—each moment was memorable. Each class at IIFM holds a special place in my heart, even though my scores were just enough to pass the subjects.
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution or take away from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. In Machine Learning, there’s a concept called PCA (Principal Component Analysis), where we identify the key factors and their contributions to the final outcome. However, when it comes to IIFM, there isn’t a single factor driving success. Instead, it’s the entire ecosystem, where every component plays a role in shaping and developing new students.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. I met many amazing and lifelong friends at IIFM. Every faculty member at IIFM is always available to guide us, and each one is truly special. The classes are filled with knowledge, learning, and experience-sharing, which strengthens our minds and enhances our thinking abilities.
I have many stories, but one unique characteristic of my roommate, Utkarsh Agarwal, stands out—he’s always ready for everything. He completes assignments quickly and finishes exams in half the allocated time—not just once or twice, but consistently throughout the course!
On the other hand, I would use the entire exam time, trying to recall anything and everything related to the questions to pass my exams. After the exam, his first question to me would always be, “What were you doing so long in the exam hall?” My standard reply was about the number of questions I managed to solve. Then we’d head to the badminton court to unwind, and after a few games, we’d start preparing for the next day’s exam 🙂
Q. What was your typical day at the work? And how does it look like while you are on a break?
A. My office starts at 8 AM, where I update the model’s running status during meetings. If retuning is needed, I work on algorithms. My tasks include studying current models, analyzing accuracy, and communicating with end users to improve model usage. Data extraction, model training, validation, and deployment are my next priorities.
Since I recently joined, I’m currently in the training phase. My morning routine includes exercising, playing badminton, and getting ready for work.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add?
A. On weekends, I enjoy playing cricket, exploring new places, nearby mountains for tracking, trying local cuisines and learning Telugu.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. Books are best guides, last month, I finished Mindset by Carol Dweck, and I’m currently reading The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel.
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 am always up and available for anything for my almamater. I can engage and guide the interested IIFM’ites in AI & Data Science. I am very positive and looking forward to visit campus for placement drive in coming years.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there? When was the last time you visited IIFM?
A. We were at a golden time of IIFM. Things have changed with time as the batch size becomes bigger and bigger.
I was at IIFM in 2015 for our Convocation…time to plan a trip soon.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. Utkarsh Agrawal.