Be dedicated to your work, be natural, keep smiling even in the toughest times seek constant feedback from your colleagues (senior or junior), and most importantly, do not hesitate to take risks and keep evaluating the work.
Tell us about your background, journey, and upbringing
I was born and brought up in New Delhi. My father worked in the hospitality industry at Hotel Ashoka New Delhi and my mother used to work for a private firm. I have one elder sister who is a teacher by profession. Coming from a middle-class family of teachers and professors, there was always a burden to perform well in studies.
Up to eight standards, I did my schooling at DAV School and completed the rest from a Delhi government school. Going to this government school was the turning point of my life. My best friends are from that school. This is the school where I got exposure to extra-curricular activities such as sports, eco-club, and the National Service Scheme.
Up to eight standards, I did my schooling at DAV School and completed the rest from a Delhi government school. Going to this government school was the turning point of my life. My best friends are from that school. This is the school where I got exposure to extra-curricular activities such as sports, eco-club, and the National Service Scheme.
These are the schools that made me what I am today. Always an athlete, I was a part of the school’s volleyball team and went on to lead the teams at inter-college
level. I have been a very average student scoring between 60-65 percent throughout my life. I later completed my graduation in Social work from Delhi University, Master of Social Work and LLB.
level. I have been a very average student scoring between 60-65 percent throughout my life. I later completed my graduation in Social work from Delhi University, Master of Social Work and LLB.
When and how did you get clarity on what you wanted to do?
I still remember that lazy winter afternoon of the year 2000; I was in 11th standard and a chit was circulated in the class and the teacher announced “ Anybody willing to volunteer for The Pulse Polio vaccination program”. I was least interested till I heard that the volunteers will be paid Rs. 25 per day and refreshment.
Honestly, Rs. 25 was my motivation to volunteer for the camp, without having any idea of what I would be required to do. But it is said, sometimes things are planned for you from above. We were briefed that we would need to go door to door and administer polio drops to children who have not received them.
I still remember that lazy winter afternoon of the year 2000; I was in 11th standard and a chit was circulated in the class and the teacher announced “ Anybody willing to volunteer for The Pulse Polio vaccination program”. I was least interested till I heard that the volunteers will be paid Rs. 25 per day and refreshment.
Honestly, Rs. 25 was my motivation to volunteer for the camp, without having any idea of what I would be required to do. But it is said, sometimes things are planned for you from above. We were briefed that we would need to go door to door and administer polio drops to children who have not received them.
I was made the team leader and my team was given a target to visit around 300 houses in seven days. However, my team finished the entire exercise in just 5 days. Our team was rewarded by the Chief Medical Officer for the exemplary work.
That was the day I knew what I am cut out for to make a difference to society.
Although, I still did not have an idea how will I make that difference. But I continued to work in the school’s eco-club programs; go for tree-plantation drives across Delhi.
Although, I still did not have an idea how will I make that difference. But I continued to work in the school’s eco-club programs; go for tree-plantation drives across Delhi.
When I passed 12th, my father being from the hospitality industry, wanted me to do a course in Hotel Management. I appeared in the exam; passed it but did not join because I had already applied to a newly started undergraduate program at Delhi University.
The course was called Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). I passed the entrance exam
and took admission to the course only to realize that I was one of the only 5 boys in a class of 30 students. This is when I questioned myself ‘Have if taken the right decision?
and took admission to the course only to realize that I was one of the only 5 boys in a class of 30 students. This is when I questioned myself ‘Have if taken the right decision?
This course seems to be one which only girls do’. But I continued and realized
that there were many men out there making a difference in the lives of the underprivileged. One such man, I met during the last year of my college was Dr. Rajendra Prasad, famously known as ‘Paani Waale Baba’. (The Waterman).
that there were many men out there making a difference in the lives of the underprivileged. One such man, I met during the last year of my college was Dr. Rajendra Prasad, famously known as ‘Paani Waale Baba’. (The Waterman).
I had the privilege to visit his organization ‘Tarun Bharat Sangh’ in Rajasthan’s Alwar district. I was most amazed to see how he converted a water-deficient district to a water surplus district. My resolve got stronger that I wanted to work for the most underprivileged section of society.
While I was doing my PG from Indore, one Sunday I saw many dogs who used to roam around in our campus were found dead of suspected poisoning. I ran pillar to post to complain about it but no one took it seriously.
That is when I realized that animals needed a voice. After years of voluntary work, I decided that I would be the voice of the voiceless and started my first job with PETA India in 2007.
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What does your typical workday look like?
I start my workday at 7 am with a big glass of vegan almond milk smoothie. I start my day by reviewing my emails and messages. I devote about two hours every day checking my inbox and ensuring that I have not missed any important emails.
It is my personal policy to respond to all emails/messages within 24 working hours. Before the lockdown or COVID-19 situation, I used to have several meetings with my team inside the office and some outside the office.
But now that everything has gone virtual, I meet with my teams on a regular basis to ensure that we are on track. Besides, I meet with my colleagues in other parts of the world to discuss strategies and brainstorming on a regular basis.
I normally end my day by 9 pm every day depending on evening meetings. But when I finish early, I like to play Monopoly with my two young daughters (7 and 4 Yr old) in the evenings.
Several global companies have come out and thrown their support behind not needing a formal education. What is your opinion about this?
I am not an expert in this area so would like to abstain from commenting on this. However, if you ask me personally, after seeing my daughters not going to formal
school since COVID has hit, I feel that it is important for children to spend some time of the day going to school; meeting their teachers face to face, and most importantly develop the feeling of belongingness and teamwork with their classmates.
How do you handle someone who has lied on their resume?
That has always been a cause of concern for me, especially, if someone has lied about the work experience. By work experience, I do not mean that someone had 4 years of experience and he/she mentioned 5 years.
That has always been a cause of concern for me, especially, if someone has lied about the work experience. By work experience, I do not mean that someone had 4 years of experience and he/she mentioned 5 years.
Frankly, I do not worry too much about it. I get concerned with applicants who have faked the work they have done in the past years. It is very easy to find someone lying about work experience when the candidate gives a series of
vague and unconvincing responses to detailed questions about their previous work experience.
vague and unconvincing responses to detailed questions about their previous work experience.
If I feel that the person has faked about the skills and past experience, I give it a serious thought.
What are some of your typical challenges and how have they evolved over time?
I see hiring good candidates is always a challenge. In a sector like ours where there is no A+B=C formula for getting success in your campaigns, it is very important for us to find people who are open to learning and dedicated to the cause of animal welfare.
I see hiring good candidates is always a challenge. In a sector like ours where there is no A+B=C formula for getting success in your campaigns, it is very important for us to find people who are open to learning and dedicated to the cause of animal welfare.
I am a strong believer in on-the-job training so I do believe that if the person has the right attitude and dedication to the cause, he/she could succeed. To overcome this challenge, we have ample on-the-job learning opportunities for the staff and a very good feedback mechanism to follow through.
What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs or those eyeing the top job?
Be dedicated to your work, be natural, keep smiling even in the toughest times seek constant feedback from your colleagues (senior or junior), and most importantly, do not hesitate to take risks and keep evaluating the work.
Build a strong culture of faith and fearlessness among team members where no one is scared or hesitant to come up and talk to you or discuss an issue. Keep telling your colleagues that you are available for them no matter what time of the day it is and that you would do your best to help them professionally and personally.
Be dedicated to your work, be natural, keep smiling even in the toughest times seek constant feedback from your colleagues (senior or junior), and most importantly, do not hesitate to take risks and keep evaluating the work.
Build a strong culture of faith and fearlessness among team members where no one is scared or hesitant to come up and talk to you or discuss an issue. Keep telling your colleagues that you are available for them no matter what time of the day it is and that you would do your best to help them professionally and personally.
Always remember that your team follows you and aspire to be like you. The example you set for them, they will set for their team members.
Which is your favorite book and why?
I recently finished reading ‘No Rules Rules: Netflix and the culture of reinvention’ by Reed Hastings, Co-founder, and CEO of Netflix. I love the book because it talks about how Netflix takes feedback seriously from their employees and uses it constructively to further their mission.
In today’s digital world, I feel it is most important to give and receive feedback not just from your seniors but also from your juniors and fellow colleagues. I believe that taking feedback and working on it makes you a better leader and helps the organization grow.
In today’s digital world, I feel it is most important to give and receive feedback not just from your seniors but also from your juniors and fellow colleagues. I believe that taking feedback and working on it makes you a better leader and helps the organization grow.
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