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Prashanth Pereira,Vice President-Business Solutions Group & Technology, Edelweiss Securities Ltd

TITLE: Vice President-Business Solutions Group & Technology

COMPANY: Edelweiss Securities Ltd

INDUSTRY VERTICLE: BFSI

AGE: 39

FIRST JOB: Alfa Water Purifiers Pvt Ltd

TOTAL EXPERIENCE: 18 years

BIGGEST CAREER INFLUENCE: My Parents. My father's constructive criticism helped me to push myself to exceed his expectations and my mother's belief, guidance and support helped me achieve it.

THE PERSON WHO INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST: There are two extraordinary individuals who have influenced me—M N Gopinath and S Dhamodaran, my former colleagues at ICICI Bank.

YOUR SUCCESS MANTRA: Everything is possible if you are willing to give it your best shot.

TECHNOLOGY YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT: BlackBerry, Internet and my ipod.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING THE MOST: Traveling, meeting people, cooking and dancing.

YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT: The birth of my two sons—holding them in my arms for the first time was a moment I will treasure all my life

FAVOURITE MOVIE: Life is beautiful

FAVOURITE BOOK: The Bible

YOUR OBSESSION: Seeking solutions to things which mystify or tickle my intellect

BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR: Entering in the mutual fund space and bringing about strategic changes in processes which were completely dominated at that time by R&T.

ONE THING YOU WANT TO CHANGE ABOUT YOURSELF: I would like to tone down my slightly aggressive nature.

ONE THING YOU WOULD NEVER WANT TO CHANGE ABOUT YOURSELF: My never say die spirit.

BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED AND FROM WHOM: My former colleague S Dhamodaran once said to me, "When Elephants fight, don't be the grass under their feet."

IF NOT A CIO YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN: Something completely different than my current occupation like an army man, a farmer or a chef.

MOTTO IN LIFE: I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.