Our geographical borders are well protected thanks to our esteemed armed forces and the technologies that support them operate in extremely hostile conditions !

Amar Srivastava, our next pathbreaker, is Senior Researcher in Technical Textiles, solving problems by researching technological advancements required for upgradation of defence protective clothing.

Amar talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about how his MTech in Textiles Chemistry (IIT Delhi) led him to the field of performance textiles research that serves the needs and safeguards our military personnel through durable and protective clothing under harsh conditions !

For students, It’s not just about aiming for big goals far away in the future. Your career will eventually be shaped by smaller goals, and enjoying the journey along the way!

Amar, can you tell us about your background for the benefit of our young readers?

I grew up in Kanpur, a city in Uttar Pradesh, India, and went to Mother Teresa Mission Higher Secondary School until I finished my intermediate studies. I wasn’t a top student, so I had to work really hard in school. My family was middle-class, and my dad worked for a co-operative company owned by the government.

When I was in 9th grade, I heard about the IIT JEE exam, which is super tough and gets you into the best engineering colleges in India. From that moment on, I dreamed of going to IIT because I thought it would guarantee a great future for me. But even though I studied hard, I didn’t get into an IIT. Instead, I ended up doing my BTech at a government college in Uttar Pradesh.

But I didn’t give up on my dream. I kept working towards getting into an IIT. So, I focused on another exam called GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) and did really well, getting all India Rank 49 in GATE 2019. That opened the door for me to study for my MTech degree at IIT Delhi with a major in Textile Chemical Processing.

Through all of this, I learned something important: It’s not just about aiming for big goals far away in the future. It’s about enjoying the journey along the way. So, I learned to prepare well, stay focused on my goals, work hard, and be patient. And I found that’s the real key to growing and succeeding in life.

What did you do for graduation/post graduation?

For graduation (BTech), I prepared and cleared JEE Mains and UPTU state entrance examination for engineering admission. I did my Bachelor of Technology – BTech in Textile Chemistry from Uttar Pradesh Textile Technology Institute Kanpur.

Fzorr MTech, I prepared for GATE conducted by IITs and got admitted to IIT Delhi. I had aimed to study in IIT and wished to make a career in research and academics. 

What were some of the drivers that influenced you to pursue such an offbeat, unconventional and unusual career in Textiles?

BTech in Textiles is a very rare/unknown choice. It is a very unconventional branch unlike core branches. I was also unaware of this domain before taking it, but when I searched deep into this domain and consulted with seniors, I got to know that it also has very good career options, especially knowing the high and regular demand for textiles in our daily life and for our needs. Though, in the starting phase, this career has comparatively lower packages unlike computer science, with time and experience, you can reach much greater heights in your professional career in R&D, by working in big brands such as Trident, Vardhman, Raymonds etc.

My career in research and academics took off once I landed in IIT Delhi. There I saw professors and a research environment that blew my mind. The role of professors and the level of respect, honour and job profile increased my level of interest. Infact, I have been teaching at several educational institutions which aligns with my interests. 

The two years at IIT Delhi, the culture and environment was the main turning point for me, where I met people from diverse backgrounds, having diverse interests and highly qualified and talented individuals having a very high aim and a vision in life.

How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Or how did you make a transition to a new career? Tell us about your career path

It is a step-by-step path that has become my career today. We do not know what is best for us until we face the same or go through the journey. I worked for a year in a corporate company after my Btech, but that life didn’t suit me. The major transition happened after I got admitted to IIT Delhi for my master’s degree where I met people who shared my interests and goals. 

While at IIT Delhi, I worked at a sort of startup wherein they were trying to develop fibres and thereafter fabrics from the sugarcane/orange pulp waste (contains cellulosic materials). It was a sustainable product development work that involved extracting the waste pulp, recycling them and converting them into useable grade fibres / non-woven for product development such as fabrics, bags made up of sugarcane/orange waste.

At some point in life, the IIT tags do matter, and the alumni network is indeed very strong. 

I got two options after my MTech, a very high paying job in a corporate company as an assistant manager and a research position at a government organization. Though the first job was high paying, I opted for the second one due to my interest and passion for research. Today, I am happy and satisfied with my decision. I also enrolled for my doctorate degree which is related to defence technical textiles in a research domain. Soon, my alignment and passion in this area became strong. I attended many national and international conferences where I met people with the same passion and working in the same area across the globe. The networks, the quality of work, your contacts all will help to reach your goal .

How did you get your first break?

I got my first big chance by working hard, staying determined, and keeping an eye out for opportunities. After studying and learning as much as I could, I got the opportunity to work with the defence through my All-India Rank in GATE and interview for research positions. It was a great start to my career and opened doors for more opportunities in the future wherein I developed interest in teaching and research.

DRDO does not come to campus. To join DRDO, you need to qualify the GATE examination conducted by IITs. Selection is based on your GATE rank, score, and subsequently, an interview. You should regularly check their website and employment news for updates on vacancies and job opportunities.

What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?

The main challenges I faced were limited resources, lack of perfect guidance ( as nobody was there to guide me for my career) and time management as I could not manage important tasks and hence ended up wasting my time at unproductive tasks. I did not take these as challenges, instead I worked hard on improving as much as I could for managing myself and aligned myself with my goal and vision. If your aims are high, everything else will become void. This helped me a lot and with time, and I became good at managing things. Iam still improving and learning a lot at every step of life.

Where do you work now? 

I work as a Senior Researcher at the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) wherein I solve problems faced by army personnel by researching technological advancements required for upgradation of defence protective clothing.

I cleared the GATE examination conducted by IIT with an All India Rank of 49 through which I got admission at IIT Delhi for my MTech and the same also helped for the job in research domain. 

What’s your typical day like?

My day typically starts at 5 am in the morning with 2 hours for myself (exercise, walk and reading). My work life starts at 9 am and ends late in the evening. I love my research work as it gives me freedom to choose and try to translate my ideas into reality by experimentation and prototype developments. Moreover, my work is directly used by lakhs of army personnel thereby contributing to the nation. 

How does your work benefit society? 

My work in the research and development of defense protective clothing directly benefits society by contributing to the safety and security of our nation. As I focus on enhancing the protective gear used by the Indian Defense Forces, my efforts translate into tangible advancements that safeguard the lives of our army personnel.

The impact of this work extends beyond the laboratory, reaching the frontline where our soldiers bravely defend our country. By improving the effectiveness and durability of protective clothing, we equip our armed forces with the tools they need to confront threats and challenges with greater confidence and resilience.

Knowing that my contributions play a role in ensuring the well-being of those who serve our nation fills me with a profound sense of pride and purpose. Each advancement in defense protective clothing brings us closer to our shared goal of safeguarding our homeland and protecting the lives of those who selflessly dedicate themselves to its defense. It’s a privilege to channel my skills and expertise towards a cause that directly impacts the safety and security of our nation India (a feeling of pride).

Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!

One special thing I did was teaching students who couldn’t afford expensive schooling and coaching but had big dreams. Every weekend, I spent time with them, helping them learn and grow. It was amazing to see their eagerness to learn, even though they faced tough challenges.

These students had so much potential, and I wanted to help them reach for the stars. Seeing them progress and get excited about their futures was incredibly rewarding. 

Even though it was just a small effort, it meant a lot to me. It showed me how even a little help can make a big difference in someone’s life. And it reminded me of the importance of giving back and helping others whenever we can. Teaching them also made me feel like a child again, reminding me of the dreams I once had. 

Your advice to students based on your experience?

My advice to students is to focus on 1-2 years ahead of you, work hard on that goal instead of planning 10 years down the line. Your career will eventually be shaped by these smaller goals, and you will know what is the best fit for you.

Future Plans?

My future plan is to give back to society whatever I have gained in terms of my knowledge, education and experiences. I would like to teach students and would like my career to be in this domain. After I reach my set level of financial goals with utmost hard work in the coming years of my life, I would then devote my time in social cause and family. I think you would only be remembered by the good works only not by how much money you make. So, in future my plan is to spend most of the time with family, do the work I love and engage in social work that will make my innerself happy and satisfied.