Passionate about travel & lifelong learning through books. Exploring the world one journey—and one page—at a time
Q. Tell us about your School and College before you came to IIFM. How was your
experience there? And how did IIFM happen?
A. Before joining IIFM, I completed my schooling in Raisen (MP), It was during school that I began developing an interest in environmental issues and social responsibility, which later shaped many of my academic choices.
For my undergraduate studies, I attended Extol College (Bhopal) and pursued BCA. IIFM happened quite organically. While researching options for higher studies, I came across IIFM and was immediately drawn to its unique blend of management education with a focus on sustainability, environmental stewardship, and development sectors. The institute’s vision resonated deeply with my own goals of contributing meaningfully to society while also building a strong professional foundation. IIFM’s reputation, curriculum, and the career paths of its alumni made it a natural choice for me.
Getting into IIFM was another huge milestone. The preparation itself taught me discipline and goal-setting. And once I got here, it was a whole new world—interacting with people from diverse backgrounds, understanding grassroots realities through fieldwork, and getting exposure to areas like natural resource management, rural development, and sustainability-driven business practices.
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A.In 2010, fresh out of campus and full of ambition, I joined ITC through campus placement. What began as the start of my professional career has turned into a remarkable 15-year journey—one that has shaped me not just as a professional, but also as a person. I am currently based out of Bhopal, leading the agribusiness segment of ITC for central and southern parts of India.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. Oh yes there has been many hard earned learnings in the journey. Handling pressure during projects or work, learning to work in teams with different personalities/colleagues, and managing my own time efficiently for both professional and personal life were big learning curves. Understanding business nuances, cost dynamics coupled with tight timelines are key to effective execution. These experiences have not only made me more adaptable but also more self-aware and empathetic
Q. How has been your experience in your current Organization? What all areas have you been working here?
A.Over the years, I’ve had the privilege to work with inspiring leaders, passionate colleagues, and teams that felt more like family. Together, we’ve navigated challenges, celebrated wins, and built solutions that made a difference. Every role, every project, and every experience has added a new layer to my growth. I am currently working in the areas of agriculture based business including commodity procurement, inventory management, cost effective supply chain and logistics in regions of MP, MH and Karnataka.
Q. What is the most satisfying part in your career?
A. To work with farmers and in the agriculture, field is something which is not only satisfying but also deeply meaningful and grounding. It gives you a sense of purpose, knowing that your efforts directly contribute to improving the lives of farmers and ensuring food security for communities.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A.Yes, my learning at IIFM has played a crucial role in shaping how I approach my professional roles. The curriculum at IIFM is uniquely designed to blend management education with an in-depth understanding of rural and natural resource contexts. This gave me not just technical knowledge, but also a holistic perspective on sustainability, community engagement, and development economics — all of which are essential in agribusiness and related interventions. What made a significant impact were the field segments and rural immersion programs. They taught me to listen actively, understand ground realities, and co-create solutions with stakeholders rather than imposing top-down ideas.
IIFM instilled a systems thinking approach — seeing agriculture not just as production, but as a web of social, environmental, and economic factors. In my current role, whether I’m helping in designing tech solutions for farmers, extending market linkages, or working with interdisciplinary teams, that foundation from IIFM helps me stay rooted, empathetic, and impact-driven.
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your careers?
A. The biggest influences and drivers in my career have been the farmers themselves and the challenges they face daily. Witnessing their resilience and hard work, yet seeing them struggle with market access, climate uncertainties, and lack of timely information, pushed me to work in a space where technology could become a real enabler. Additionally, mentors, field experiences during my time at IIFM, and exposure to grassroots-level projects have shaped my understanding and deepened my commitment to the agribusiness sector.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. Some of my favorite memories from IIFM are deeply tied to the campus life and the bonds we built there. The lush green campus, the early morning walks amidst nature, and the sheer serenity of the surroundings made every day feel special. But beyond the beauty, it was the shared experiences that truly stood out — late-night group assignments, chai breaks at the canteen, impromptu guitar sessions, and intense discussions that started with academics but somehow ended up in philosophy or politics. The fieldwork segments also hold a special place — they weren’t just learning experiences, but moments of real growth. Staying in rural areas, interacting with communities, and working on ground-level projects gave me a sense of purpose and clarity about why I chose this path. And of course, the festivals, sports tournaments, and hostel life — the laughter, the debates, the friendships — they all shaped not just my career, but who I am as a person.
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 hindsight, the biggest contribution of IIFM in shaping me—both personally and professionally—was the perfect blend of academic rigor, field exposure, and a value-driven environment. If I had to pick one major takeaway, it would be the perspective IIFM gave me—to look at development, sustainability, and business through an integrated lens. The combination of core management subjects with courses like Natural Resource Management, Livelihood Systems, and Environmental Governance helped me see the bigger picture, and prepared me to work in complex, real-world scenarios.
The faculty members were more than just teachers—they were mentors who challenged our thinking and encouraged us to explore beyond textbooks. The library became a sanctuary during those quiet, reflective hours, and it was where many ideas took shape.
But honestly, the most lasting impact came from my peers and friends. The diverse backgrounds, late-night brainstorming sessions, field trip collaborations, and just sharing life on campus taught me as much as any classroom. Those interactions helped me grow into a more empathetic, grounded, and collaborative professional.
And finally, the alumni network—their guidance and openness played a big role in helping me understand the kind of impact one can make in this sector, and how to navigate the path forward.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. IIFM wouldn’t have been the same without the amazing people who became like family along the way. My buddies (Indranil, Vidhi, Renuka, Manasi, Vinisha, Swati, Geetanjali, Anuj and Pramendra) were my biggest support system—whether it was surviving back-to-back submissions, prepping for placements, or just sitting under the open sky talking about life at 2 am, they were always there. We laughed through the stress, celebrated the little wins, and created memories that will stay with me forever 🙂
Our seniors especially Munish Sikka, Varun, Dhaval were incredibly helpful—never too busy to guide us, whether it was choosing electives, cracking summer internships, or just sharing their experiences during chai breaks. Their stories and advice helped us navigate the IIFM journey more confidently.
As for faculty, it’s hard to name just one. Some inspired us with their deep knowledge, others with their dedication, and a few with their out-of-the-box way of teaching. CSR Sir. Amitabh Sir, and Suprava Ma’am, their classes weren’t just about academics but life lessons.
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. To all the freshers or those about to join IIFM—first off, welcome to one of the most unique and enriching journeys you’ll ever experience. These two years will fly by, but if you approach them with curiosity, openness, and intent, they’ll shape you in ways you can’t imagine right now.
Here’s my advice to make the most of it:
- Soak in the diversity – IIFM brings together people from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Learn from your peers as much as you do from books or lectures. Group discussions, hostel chats, and field visits are goldmines of learning.
- Don’t shy away from fieldwork – The rural visits, internships, and immersion segments are where classroom theories come alive. The more you engage with communities and ground realities, the clearer your purpose will become.
- Explore beyond academics – Join clubs, organize events, take part in fests like Kalpataru or Ecofest. These experiences teach you teamwork, leadership, and how to handle pressure—skills that will stay with you for life.
- Build bonds – With friends, faculty, seniors, and alumni. These relationships often turn into lifelong connections, mentors, and collaborators in your career.
- Stay open-minded – You might come in thinking you know what you want, but be open to discovering new interests. The development sector, sustainability, policy, CSR, and agri-business all have fascinating overlaps—explore them.
- Reflect and recharge – Use the peaceful campus to think, journal, walk in the woods. It’s a rare space where you can pause and find clarity amidst all the hustle.
Most importantly, enjoy the journey. It’s not just about grades or placements—it’s about discovering who you are and how you want to impact the world.
Q. What would be your advise for recent graduates who look for changing their sector after working for couple of years?
A. No harm in trying. Change is an inevitable part of life, often met with hesitation and uncertainty. Yet, within these moments of transformation, we find opportunities for growth and discovery.
Q. What was your typical day at the work? And how does it look like while you are on a break?
A. Mornings start early—often with field updates from procurement centers, checking arrival volumes, monitoring quality reports, and ensuring smooth coordination with logistics teams. A big chunk of time goes into coordinating with internal and external stakeholders. We also track market trends, updates etc that might impact market. When not in the field, I’m often working on data analysis—reviewing procurement metrics, assessing procurement targets, and preparing reports for senior management. What makes this work satisfying is seeing the direct impact on farmers—when they sell their produce at the right price, on time, and without exploitation.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add?
A. Weekends are my time to recharge and reconnect with what matters most. I try to unplug from work, especially during the wheat procurement season when the weekdays can be non-stop. Weekends are my special time to disconnect and focus on what matters most—spending quality time with my family. My wife, Priya, and our children, Ishanvi and Vivaan, are central to this. Whether it’s a day out in nature, playing games together, or simply relaxing at home, these moments help me recharge and bring a sense of balance to my life. Ishanvi and Vivaan always bring so much joy and laughter to our home, and their curiosity and energy remind me to stay grounded and appreciate the little things.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. The Bhagavad Gita and The Ramayana offer timeless lessons on duty, resilience, and righteousness. Any movie with family and with historical background will do.
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. IIFM has played a pivotal role in shaping my professional and personal journey, and I believe in giving back to the institution that helped me grow. I would love to contribute to IIFM’s alumni network by sharing my experiences and insights, especially around agribusiness, sustainability, and the evolving role of technology in the sector.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there? When was the last time you visited IIFM?
A. IIFM has certainly seen some changes since my time there, but the core values and academic focus remain the same. The curriculum has evolved to incorporate new trends in sustainable agriculture, climate change, and digital tools in agribusiness, which are becoming more relevant today. The campus facilities have improved with better infrastructure and technology integration, providing a more conducive environment for learning. However, one noticeable change that I observed during my visit was the reduction in greenery on campus, which was a bit disheartening given the institute’s strong connection to nature and sustainability.
I last visited IIFM just last week with my batchmates. While the changes were noticeable, the overall vibe and spirit of the campus felt very familiar. It was great to reconnect with old friends and see how things have progressed, though the reduction in greenery stood out as a negative shift.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. Indranil, Vidhi, Renuka, Manasi, Vinisha, Swati, Geetanjli, Anuj, Pramendra and all my batchmates.