I have come across various individuals during my life that have influenced me in different ways. However, there are three persons that have made a significant, long-term, and lasting impact upon me. They have changed me in many subtle and not-so-subtle ways, making me who I am today.
These persons are my father, my mother, and my wife.
My father, Venkatasubbaiah, was a Finance and Accounting professional in a large organization. Having lost his father at an early age, he took care of his mother, three sisters, and five younger brothers. He worked multiple jobs to enable his siblings to got to school. He taught to kids, balanced the books for merchants, worked at retail stores, and studied by night. He went on to complete his Graduate degree in Accounting. He remained loyal and supported his family and his siblings, though this was not correspondingly reciprocated. From him I learned the value of perseverance, of valuing relationships. I learned to appreciate the long term view, and of strategic thinking. I appreciated his attention to detail, and became a strong proponent of "Get it right the first time, and every time after".
My mother, Vishalakshi, was a homemaker. She did not study beyond high school, but she continued to informally learn. She was a reservoir of knowledge, and a strong supporter of education. She encouraged me, in her own way, to think, to look for ways to improve myself, so I would become a better person. She challenged me to set my sights higher, and supported me with her love and caring. Her faith in me was sufficient to propel me to many accomplishments. I understood from her the meaning of dedication, of thought leadership, of questioning myself, and staying true to my values.
My wife, Jyothi, was an engineer by profession. She voluntarily gave up her career a few years after marriage in order to focus on raising two wonderful kids. She was always there for them and me, and supported us in all our endeavors, even if it meant she would be unable to accomplish much for herself. She has immense confidence in my knowledge and by ability to accomplish anything I set my sights on. She has always encouraged me to follow my heart, and not get stuck in counter-productive situations. From her, I learnt the meaning of sacrifice, the value of relationships, and of pride in oneself and the family. She really brought home the meaning of love in many more ways.
My younger daughter inspired me to look at myself differently, demonstrating that I could be highly creative. However, that is a topic for another day.