A broad word-sketch on Rupa Nandy paints a picture of one who is a quiet and level-headed leader, balancing multiple aspects of work and personal life simultaneously, while being calm, or in other words, just being ‘chillness personified’ in modern slang, says Sarada Vishnubhatla
There is no challenge that is big enough to intimidate Rupa Nandy. And she has faced one too many in her 37 years. Keeping things ‘real’ is what grounds her and helps her make a difference in her own life as well as in the society’s. And Rupa has always found that ‘grounding’ in planning and technology.
Rupa Nandy, who hails from a Bengali family based in Delhi, has always been highly inspired by her big brother, and she imbibed many ‘cool’ personality traits from him. This Master’s degree holder in Urban Planning from the prestigious School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi is highly motivated. Her MBA from Indian School of Business, Hyderabad in Strategy and Finance furthered her focus on her dream career in urban planning.
She has been part of high-profile jobs with many organizations in her career. She was part of a team at DIMTS (Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System) that designed the path-breaking vehicle tracking system. She and the team incubated and later implemented the system targeting 10,000 Delhi Transport Corporation buses. And it was well appreciated.
Her balanced attitude enables her to handle things with a calmness even when in the middle of high-stress projects or at home. Today her leadership skills, and her knack in handling finances shine through as the head of UITP India. She says: “The best part of my work is that it involves transport, and some projects also involved working with women. My work involves technology and some projects have been built from the ground up. The impact of my work is right there on the road for all to see. Once, my father was travelling by bus and I asked him if he had heard the announcement. It was fulfilling to let him know that it was us who had encoded it on the bus.”
Rupa’s ability to keep a cool head has helped her deal with a few incidents of discrimination against her gender in her career. Almost a decade back when she was looking for a change of job, she had landed an interview with a famed company that offers professional services network that involved working in transportation sector. She recalls: “The interviewing gentleman asked if I were married, when I was planning to and if I would move cities after marriage. I impressed upon him that I was capable of managing things yet nothing I said convinced him about my seriousness about my career. I was shocked at his unbending thought process.” She did not opt for the job, understandably.
She believes synergy is what makes everything harmonious – be it at work or home. With a highly supportive husband, Rupa is able to deliver her best to both her career and life goals. A mine of ideas, solutions and strategies, Rupa Nandy works diligently to make urban areas beautiful, smart, livable and traversable. And it is the same drive that makes her a humble and kind human being.