My year 2012 was marked by my third project, and it was unlike any other. What set my first company apart was its focus on challenging projects that demanded more than just technical expertise. Interpersonal skills were paramount.
This project transformed me from a self-centered individual into someone adept at managing people, especially locals in remote locations like Mechuka, Along, Tezu, Pasighat, and Kimi. The biggest hurdle: traveling for three days straight in a Tata Sumo to villages governed by Village Defence Patrols (VDPs). It was a logistical nightmare amidst breathtaking natural beauty.
This project, for a hydroelectric power generation company with sites across the Northeast, involved setting up a 24/7 command center with high-definition video surveillance using satellite networks and sophisticated dome cameras. Data transmission to headquarters and monitoring construction progress were also crucial aspects.
My team included a leading supplier of cameras, video management systems (VMS), and the most advanced AV technology available in India at the time.
One vivid memory: Stepping out of the Tata Sumo in Bomdila, I was greeted by locals selling avocados and kiwis for a mere 60-80 rupees. It was the first time I'd ever seen these fruits in person. Missing the only vehicle that traversed the two-hour journey to Bishom, I spent the night in Bomdila, savoring Arunachali cuisine. The next morning, I secured a ride to the site, a place devoid of mobile network connectivity.
Imagine the difficulty of establishing a network with a command control center under such circumstances. To make matters more interesting, the vehicle I was traveling in was surrounded by VDP personnel – some even holding beers. It was a stark contrast to my carefree college days, where such a sight was commonplace during engineering parties. Yet, upon arrival, I was met with incredible hospitality from the locals.
The next challenge: transporting the heavy equipment with a labor shortage and unreliable transportation. It brought back memories of college nights when we'd carry inebriated friends back to the hostel, sometimes even needing a tractor ride back from Bathinda to Talwandi due to limited buses after 7:45 PM.
This experience taught me invaluable communication skills – how to connect with people despite language barriers (English and Hindi were useless here). I learned the art of negotiation beyond mere monetary transactions. Most importantly, I learned the true essence of getting things done in challenging environments – a crucial lesson in implementing technology during the early 2010s.
Through this project, I realized that life is a constant learning curve, and technical skills are just a fragment of the bigger picture
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