He likes to see Red

ICE PEOPLE: Soumya Banerjee

best "� young, vibrant and a zeal to 'crack deals'. "Besides putting bread on my dinner table, the company is a business innovator that believes in its employees," says Banerjee.

Armed with a master's degree in computer science from the University of Houston, Banerjee worked with many MNCs while adding skills like delivering advanced technology solutions at Fidelity Investments, Western Atlas and Tata Consultancy Services. And then he found his calling at Sapient Corporation in 1996.

Says the co-MD & VP, Sapient Corporation, "I joined Sapient in Cambridge and today I co-manage the India operations with Changappa Kodendera (known as CK)." In April 2000, Banerjee landed in India and set up the Indian arm. He recalls, "I was passionate about doing something in India. When I landed here, all I had was a small team and a huge business to map."

Growth has been steady ever since Banerjee and CK joined hands to co-manage the Delhi (Gurgaon) and Bangalore centres. "Today almost 1,500 people, which is 54 per cent of Sapient's employee force, is in India," he cites, adding: "there is no concept like a corporate head office for Sapient."

Completing almost a decade with Sapient, Banerjee confesses, "I like making an impact on people whom I work with. That's one reason why I have always worked on projects like wireless engineering that have revolutionised the industry." Banerjee is happ with his "great career run" at Sapient. He explains: "I have risen from a senior associate level to managing the company's operation, which I think is not too bad!"

So, what next? "It's a heady feeling being mentor to so many people. I want to continue experiencing this high," replies Banerjee.