From civil aviation to Election Commission, a smooth takeoff

For newspaper readers and television viewers, Nasim Zaidi, who took over as the 20th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on April 19, is part of a team that has been conducting elections seamlessly across the country.

For journalists covering the Civil Aviation Ministry, he is a man who proved himself in his over a decade-long association with the aviation sector before he superannuated from government service as Secretary and moved to the EC, in 2012.

And for those who know him personally, Zaidi is a multi-faceted personality.

A 1976 batch Uttar Pradesh cadre IAS officer, Zaidi holds a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. But his passion is biochemistry, in which he holds a doctorate.

One day, when a casual conversation turned to the proliferation of the ISIS, and the word ‘amoeba’ cropped up, Zaidi became animated. “You brought back memories of student days, when you said ISIS is multiplying like the amoeba,” he quipped.

Zaidi is widely associated with conducting elections to 15 State Assemblies and the Lok Sabha in 2014. However, his key contributions have been in civil aviation.

As a Joint Secretary, he headed a task force that facilitated investments of around ₹70,000 crore in the airport sector through the PPP route. His fine hand can be seen in the complex concession agreements signed between the Centre and the private sector for the development of airports in Hyderabad and Bangalore. These formed the basis for all the other airport modernisation concessions.

Many recall Zaidi’s initiative in associating the DGCA with the Aeronautical Society of India to organise a path-breaking seminar on civil aviation safety in SAARC countries. In his 30-year stint at the DGCA, the only setback was the Air India Express crash in Mangalore in May 2010, which killed over 150 passengers.

Work, and some play For the new CEC, it is not all work. He has always found time to do what he enjoys.

According to those who have known him, in his younger days, “the Doctor Sahib” and his wife could be spotted walking to Khan Market to tuck into Chinese food. A vegetarian, Zaidi has a sweet tooth and Meerut ki gazak is among his favourites.

His most remarkable trait is his ability to not only remember you, even if you have met him just once, but also to unfailingly have a word with you. Often, he would step out of the VVIP enclosures to give you a warm handshake.

It is likely the charm and warmth will stand him in good stead as he takes over as CEC of the world’s largest — and toughest — democracy.

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