FOR A LINGUISTICS STUDENT FROM JAWAHARLAL Nehru University's class of 1975, Ghanshyam Dass, Director South Asia, NASDAQ, has come a long way. Hailing from a family of civil servants, the early inclination would have been a career in the military or the Indian Administrative Services. Almost a quarter century later, Dass ended up as the Director South Asia, for the world's premier tech index.

Dass’ hearty hail buddy well met demeanor hides a razor sharp mind for the world of international finance. And that was what brought him to NASDAQ's attention when it was looking for a person to head its South Asia operations.

“For NASDAQ’s representative in India, we wanted someone who not only had rich international experience but was also familiar with the Indian economy. Dass fits the requirement perfectly,” Patrick Sutch, NASDAQ vice president, Asia-Pacific said at the time of Dass’ appointment.

But as a youngster, Dass' heart was set on banking. “Around 1969, I was casting about for a major and the Indian Economy and Planning course offered by Delhi University looked really promising.” And thus started Dass’ baptism in Banking. “At Delhi University, I picked up the rudiments of Economic theory and analysis, Micro and Macro Economic Analysis, Project Evaluation and Input Output Analysis, Public Finance and Banking, and International Trade & Finance.” What began as an amateur's interest in the nuances of the world’s merchant banking system led him on to a career that spanned 25 years.

Dass points out some obvious parallels between banking and working the stock markets. “Both require an element of social responsibility. At the various banks I have worked at, my responsibility is towards customers who hold accounts in the banks. At NASDAQ, my job is to safeguard the interests of both retail investors as well as companies that list on our exchange.”