Having started his career as a laboratory assistant and retiring as a director of a national institute, Shyam Singh, former director of the city-based National Research Centre for Citrus (NRCC) has had to sweat his way to the top. He calls himself a self-made and contended man having enjoyed freedom, power, name and fame as head of a national institute. But instead of preferring to relax and enjoy family life, he continues to be on his toes hopping from one city to another attending meetings related to numerous projects he is associated with being on the body of different national organizations and agencies.
A successful administrator and a workaholic, Singh wishes to work till the last day of his life. Even with 973 publications and 23 books to his credit, he still craves for more work. After taking up the job as consultant and adviser of projects like the National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture, National Horticulture Board and the Central Agricultural Research Institute, Singh wants to re-experience the joy of ideating afresh in a newer field as a scientist. He believes in the philosophy of passing on his good qualities and abilities to the next generation and creating better scientists and leaders than him and continuing to learn from others' ideas. He also believes in the dictum of listening to others when they don't listen. Singh shared his future plans with TOI in an exclusive interview.
Excerpts:
Q: You have had a successful tenure as director of NRCC. Aren't you satisfied with your achievements? Why this craze for so many positions after retirement?
A: I am very much contended with whatever I achieved. But I'm a workaholic and cannot sit idle. By God's grace my family is well settled and I have enough money to live a good life. Yes, I am taking many new assignments not for power or position but for my love for work. My family too wants me to live a retired life. But they understand my urge to work and continue to support me.
Q: But you were known to be a tough leader. Has the person in you softened?
A: No, I was never a hard man. But I always had big targets. But I saw nothing wrong in taking my staff along with me in the interest of my institution. Success of any institute or organization depends on its leader. In the process I always tried to utilise the strengths of my subordinates and ignore their weaknesses. NRCC was my family. Whenever I felt my colleagues were not happy with my views I sought their suggestions. I never denied anyone his or her right or opportunity. Now despite being on the other side of the table I enjoy every bit of the work.
Q: You fought your way to top. Didn't it whither you?
A: Not at all. Hard work makes you tough (hard at work (laughs) and not at troubling others). Since a young age, I have worked in difficult places and circumstances for almost 17 years in the north-eastern region. My son and daughter in-law are doctors working in London. My daughter too is a successful dentist. But I never forget the days when we lived in a single room amongst tribals in Andaman and Nagaland. My wife cooked on a stove. I was happier then than I am happy now. I took a defunct department of agriculture with 1100 employees to top. The smile on their faces was my motivation then and continues to be now as well.
Q: So what is the difference in the level of the job?
A: Not much. Earlier I had to think and prepare projects that would take research forward. Now, I accept, reject or guide projects. I'm merely using my experiences to enrich others. Being a research institute I had limitations. But now, I'm able to indirectly contribute by sharing my knowledge with farmers at very possible opportunity. I can now get down to their level and understand their needs better. Also, I want to continue to learn. The NICRA work being totally different is definitely going to be an exciting and learning experience.
Q: What are your suggestions to improve citrus further?
A: Since not much can be done to make quality planting material, simple enforcement of the Nursery Act can help. The simple soil sterilization process can be used to make it at least phytopthera (biggest disease) free. Only 7/8 states, including Maharashtra, are implementing it. And why citrus alone? The country needs 2000 million planting material of different fruits and spices. At present, only 30-35% need of farmers is met through 6300 nurseries.
Q: Implementation of this act has always been a big problem. Where is the problem?
A: Mainly licensing. There is no scope for building infrastructure or providing technological support. Horticulture crops being perennial, the results are visible only at the time of fruiting. By then it is too late. Hence accreditation of nurseries should be made mandatory.
Q: So work is you first and last love. You don't like to relax?
A: Definitely not. I too have other likings. I love listening to old Hindi songs. I also love eating sweets (laughs for being a diabetic). Both music and eating relax me.
Q: Do you have any regrets due to working in a government system? Any unfulfilled targets or desires?
A: Not many. Except that despite being a scientist and expert in citrus there is still reluctance from farmers of the region to use the expertise. But this reluctance is not from me as a person but is a general phenomenon. Other states have benefited more.
Q: What has been you biggest driving force? Your success at work or anything else?
A: My driving force was always my family. My wife, now a retired teacher from Mount Carmel School, my son and my daughter earlier and now their spouses too never interfered in my work. They are equally supportive. Now, my wife expects some quality time.
Q: Anything special about you that can help others grow?
A: Convince others when you want your way and do not hesitate to get convinced or accept others ideas and views when you are at the other end.
A successful administrator and a workaholic, Singh wishes to work till the last day of his life. Even with 973 publications and 23 books to his credit, he still craves for more work. After taking up the job as consultant and adviser of projects like the National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture, National Horticulture Board and the Central Agricultural Research Institute, Singh wants to re-experience the joy of ideating afresh in a newer field as a scientist. He believes in the philosophy of passing on his good qualities and abilities to the next generation and creating better scientists and leaders than him and continuing to learn from others' ideas. He also believes in the dictum of listening to others when they don't listen. Singh shared his future plans with TOI in an exclusive interview.
Excerpts:
Q: You have had a successful tenure as director of NRCC. Aren't you satisfied with your achievements? Why this craze for so many positions after retirement?
A: I am very much contended with whatever I achieved. But I'm a workaholic and cannot sit idle. By God's grace my family is well settled and I have enough money to live a good life. Yes, I am taking many new assignments not for power or position but for my love for work. My family too wants me to live a retired life. But they understand my urge to work and continue to support me.
Q: But you were known to be a tough leader. Has the person in you softened?
A: No, I was never a hard man. But I always had big targets. But I saw nothing wrong in taking my staff along with me in the interest of my institution. Success of any institute or organization depends on its leader. In the process I always tried to utilise the strengths of my subordinates and ignore their weaknesses. NRCC was my family. Whenever I felt my colleagues were not happy with my views I sought their suggestions. I never denied anyone his or her right or opportunity. Now despite being on the other side of the table I enjoy every bit of the work.
Q: You fought your way to top. Didn't it whither you?
A: Not at all. Hard work makes you tough (hard at work (laughs) and not at troubling others). Since a young age, I have worked in difficult places and circumstances for almost 17 years in the north-eastern region. My son and daughter in-law are doctors working in London. My daughter too is a successful dentist. But I never forget the days when we lived in a single room amongst tribals in Andaman and Nagaland. My wife cooked on a stove. I was happier then than I am happy now. I took a defunct department of agriculture with 1100 employees to top. The smile on their faces was my motivation then and continues to be now as well.
Q: So what is the difference in the level of the job?
A: Not much. Earlier I had to think and prepare projects that would take research forward. Now, I accept, reject or guide projects. I'm merely using my experiences to enrich others. Being a research institute I had limitations. But now, I'm able to indirectly contribute by sharing my knowledge with farmers at very possible opportunity. I can now get down to their level and understand their needs better. Also, I want to continue to learn. The NICRA work being totally different is definitely going to be an exciting and learning experience.
Q: What are your suggestions to improve citrus further?
A: Since not much can be done to make quality planting material, simple enforcement of the Nursery Act can help. The simple soil sterilization process can be used to make it at least phytopthera (biggest disease) free. Only 7/8 states, including Maharashtra, are implementing it. And why citrus alone? The country needs 2000 million planting material of different fruits and spices. At present, only 30-35% need of farmers is met through 6300 nurseries.
Q: Implementation of this act has always been a big problem. Where is the problem?
A: Mainly licensing. There is no scope for building infrastructure or providing technological support. Horticulture crops being perennial, the results are visible only at the time of fruiting. By then it is too late. Hence accreditation of nurseries should be made mandatory.
Q: So work is you first and last love. You don't like to relax?
A: Definitely not. I too have other likings. I love listening to old Hindi songs. I also love eating sweets (laughs for being a diabetic). Both music and eating relax me.
Q: Do you have any regrets due to working in a government system? Any unfulfilled targets or desires?
A: Not many. Except that despite being a scientist and expert in citrus there is still reluctance from farmers of the region to use the expertise. But this reluctance is not from me as a person but is a general phenomenon. Other states have benefited more.
Q: What has been you biggest driving force? Your success at work or anything else?
A: My driving force was always my family. My wife, now a retired teacher from Mount Carmel School, my son and my daughter earlier and now their spouses too never interfered in my work. They are equally supportive. Now, my wife expects some quality time.
Q: Anything special about you that can help others grow?
A: Convince others when you want your way and do not hesitate to get convinced or accept others ideas and views when you are at the other end.
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