INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Rise, Lead, Inspire
The New Ethos of Women Shaping the World
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Strategic Minds, Human Hearts
The Dual Strengths of Women Leadership
Senior Executive Director | Capgemini
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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Rise, Lead, Inspire
The New Ethos of Women Shaping the World
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Strategic Minds, Human Hearts
The Dual Strengths of Women Leadership
Senior Executive Director | Capgemini
A Journey of Resilience, Leadership, and Transformation














neveryera,certainindividualsrisenotmerelybecauseofthe
pathstheychoose,butbecauseofthequietrevolutionsthatshape themlongbeforetheworldtakesnotice.SushmaKrishnappais onesuchtrailblazer—awomanwhosestorybeginsinthegentle contradictionsofTumakuru,whereheritageandprogresscoexistina harmonious,ever-evolvingdance.
Inthistownofshiftingrhythms,Sushma’sjourneybeganatasimple windowoverlookingstreetswheretraditionmettransformation.The worldoutsidewaschanging,andsowasshe—thoughshedidn’tyet knowit.Raisedinalarge,tightlyknitjointfamily,shegrewup withinanecosystemthatvalueddiscipline,education,andselfreliance.Still,likemanychildrensteadilylearningtounderstandtheir ownstrengths,shemovedthroughherearlyacademicyearswithease butwithouturgency.
Everythingchangedthedayhersisterchoseengineering.That decision,seeminglypersonalandpractical,becameasparkthat illuminatedSushma’sownpath.Inwitnessingthediscipline, commitment,andambitionrequiredofhersister,Sushmaglimpsed possibilitiesshehadn’tpreviouslyimaginedforherself.What followedwasn’tanovernighttransformationbutasteady,determined ascent—thekindthatrevealsaperson’sinnerresolvemore powerfullythananydramaticmomentevercould.
FromVidyaniketan’sclassroomstoBangaloreUniversity’s laboratories,fromeveningstudysessionstotherelentlesspursuitof clarityandpurpose,Sushmaevolvedintoascholarshapednotby circumstance,butbychoice.HerMaster’sinComputerApplications fromIndiraGandhiNationalOpenUniversitymarkedmorethan academicachievement;itrepresentedaconscioussteppingintoher potential,anembraceofthefutureshehadslowlybutsurelylearned toclaim.
Today,aswehonorherin The Elite: Trailblazer of 2025,wecelebrate notonlyheraccomplishmentsbutthejourneythatcraftedthem—a journeybuiltonquietobservation,transformativeinspiration,andan unwaveringbeliefthatonecanrisebeyondexpectations.Sushma standsasatestamenttowhatbecomespossiblewhencouragemeets opportunity,whenheritagefuelsambition,andwhenayounggirl lookingoutawindowdecidestostepconfidentlytowardtheworld sheonceonlywatched.
Herstoryremindsusthattrailblazersarenotborn—theyareshaped, refined,andultimatelydefinedbythechoicestheymake.And Sushma’schoiceshaveledherexactlywhereshewasalwaysmeant tobe:leadingwithintention,impact,andaspiritthatcontinuesto inspire.
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THE SIGNATURE STOR
A Journey of Resilience, L and Transformation
Rise, Lead, Inspire
The New Ethos of Women Shap INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
22 INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Strategic Minds, Human Hearts
The Dual Strengths of Women L







Art
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THE ELITE: TRAILBLAZER OF 2025





“Leadership is defined by how one manages risk. It's not just about having access to data and facts, though those are crucial, but also about trusting your instincts, shaped by experience.”




InTumakuru,atownwheretraditionwhispersthrough
templecorridorsandmodernityhumsinengineering collegeclassrooms,ayounggirloncesatatthe windowofherfamily'shome,watchingtheworldpulse withpossibility Thestreetsbelowtoldstoriesof transformation:bullockcartssharingspacewith motorbikes,oldbookshopsstandingbesidecomputer trainingcenters,atowncaughtinthebeautifultension betweenwhatitwasandwhatitwasbecoming.
SushmaKrishnappabelongedtothatsameliminalspace. Bornintoasprawlingjointfamilywhereaunts,uncles, grandparents,andsiblingsformedanecosystemofsupport andexpectation,shegrewupsurroundedbyvoicesthat championededucation,financialindependence,and resilience.YetforyoungSushma,thesevaluesremained abstract;wisdomwritteninalanguageshehadn'tyet learnedtoread.Shewas,byherownadmission,anaverage studentatVidyaniketan,movingthroughherearlyschool yearswithpleasantindifference.
Thencamethecatalyst.Hersister'sdecisiontopursue engineeringwasn'tjustafamilymilestone;itwasamirror helduptoSushma'sownpossibilities.Watchinghersister prepareforentranceexams,witnessingthefocusand determinationrequired,somethingfundamentalshifted.The transformationwasgradual-astudentfindingherstride, discoveringthatcapabilityhadbeenthereallalong,waiting forpurposetocallitforth.
SushmapursuedadegreeinSciencefromBangalore University,laterearningaMaster'sinComputer ApplicationsfromIndiraGandhiOpenUniversity.These weren'tjustdegrees;theywerekeystodoorsshecouldn't yetsee,preparationforbattlesshehadn'tyetfought.
Ifsmall-towndreamsareforgedinhope,they'retempered intheunforgivingheatofbig-cityreality.Bangalore,the cityofopportunityandruthlesscompetition,didn'trollout anywelcomematsfortheyounggraduatefromTumakuru. Therejectioncameinwaves.Interviewafterinterview, doorafterdoorclosingwiththesoftclickof"we'llgetback toyou"thateveryoneknowsmeansno.
Shecouldhavereturnedhome.Manydid.Butresilience, thatqualityherparentshadmodelledwithoutnaming,held firm.HerfirstopportunitycameatGITInfotech,followed byawalk-ininterviewatAccentureduringwhatshe describeswithcharacteristicunderstatementas"a
challengingtime."Thatwalk-inwasn'tjustajobinterview; itwasadoorcrackingopenjustwideenoughforsomeone persistentenoughtopushthrough.
WhatfollowedwasnineteenyearsatAccenture,atenure thatwouldseeherevolvefromanervousnewcomertoa seasonedleaderinFinancialServices."Iremaindeeply gratefulforthatchance,"Sushmareflects."Itallowedmeto growprofessionallyinarolealignedwithmyaspirations."
Here'swhereSushma'sstorytakesanunexpectedturn.Asa younggirl,shehadgravitatedtowardfashionwithnatural enthusiasm,selectingfabricsanddesigningclothesfor familymembers.Foratime,thedreamofbecominga fashiondesignerfeltinevitable.
Simultaneously,anotherpassionquietlytookroot.She foundherselfmanaginghouseholdbudgetswithsurprising satisfaction,overseeingmonthlyexpenses,planningsavings strategies,organizingfamilyoutingswithaneyetoward bothenjoymentandfiscalresponsibility Whileotherssaw chores,Sushmasawpatterns,systems,andtheelegantlogic offinancialplanning.
Insteadofabandoningfashionentirely,sheintegrateditasa cherishedhobby.Insteadofpursuingfinanceacademically fromthestart,shelethernaturalaptitudeguidehertoward itprofessionally Thisduality,thecreativeandthe analytical,wouldbecomeoneofhergreateststrengths.In financialservices,wheremanyseeonlynumbersand regulations,Sushmabroughtcreativitytoproblem-solving, viewingchallengesthroughmultiplelenses.
ThosenineteenyearsatAccenturebecameamasterclassin thefinancialservicesindustry.Sheworkedwithleading bankinginstitutions,accumulatingnotjusttechnical expertisebutstrategicvision-theabilitytoseepatterns acrossorganizations,toanticipatechallengesbeforethey materialized,andtoleadteamsthroughcomplexitywith clarity.
WhenshemadethepivotaldecisiontojoinCapgemini IndiaasSeniorExecutiveDirectorinFinancialServices, itwasn'tadeparturebutanevolution.Itwasanewchapter withfreshchallengesthatcontinuetofuelbothherpassion andhergrowth.

Corporatesuccessstoriesoftenglossoverthepersonal costs.Sushma'sstoryrefusesthatsanitizednarrative.The demandswererelentless:longhours,frequenttravel,and meetingsbleedingintoweekends.
Behindeveryaccomplishedprofessional,thereoftenstands theSilentPillars—family.ForSushmaKrishnappa,her remarkablecareerspanningovertwodecadesintechnology andleadershipwasnotasoloendeavour.Itwasashared journey,strengthenedbytheunwaveringsupportofher siblings.HersisterSheemaKrishnappaandbrother ChandanKrishnappaweremorethanfamily;theywere thebackboneofstabilityandstrength.
WhileSushmanavigatedthedemandingcorporateworld, theyensuredthehomefrontremainedsteady.From managingresponsibilitiestoofferingencouragementand motivation,theirrolewaspivotalincreatingan environmentwhereambitioncouldthrivewithout compromisingfamilyharmony

Buttherewasonethingnofamilysupportcould compensatefor:herownneglectofherhealth.Theweight creptongradually-stresseating,irregularmeals,endless sitting,exerciseperpetuallypostponed.Beforeshefully realizedwhatwashappening,shehadbecomeseverely obese.
"Itriedhittingthegym,hopingtoshedtheweight,butsaw littletonoprogress,"sheadmitshonestly.Theturningpoint camethroughVijaykumarfromVFX.FIT,whooffered somethingradicalinitssimplicity:onlinephysical transformationcoachingaccessiblefromhome,focusedon sustainableresults,withconsistentfollow-ups.
Whatfollowedwasathree-yearjourneythattransformed notjustSushma'sbodybutherentirerelationshipwith herself.Sixty-fivekilogramsshedthroughconsistency, patience,anddetermination.Energyreturned.Mental sharpnessincreased.Confidencebloomed.Shenoticed immediateshiftsinherwork:enhancedproductivity,clearer communication,andcreativityflowingmorefreely

“We spend over ten hours a day working, but dedicating just one hour to our health can make a world of difference. Another hour spent with family, pursuing hobbies, or doing something we love helps us recharge and stay balanced.”

WhenCOVID-19upendedtheworld,Sushmafaced multifacetedchallenges:businessconstraintsasremote workbecamemandatory,dissolvedboundariesbetween professionalandpersonallife,andtheabsenceofface-tofaceinteraction.
Sherespondedbycreatingastructure:establishinga sustainablework-from-homesetup,physicallyseparating personalandprofessionalspaces,andschedulingmeetings withempathyandflexibility.Prioritizingemployeewellbeing,fosteringvirtualconnections,andinjectingmoments offunhelpedmaintainteamspiritandevenboosted productivity
Thenthepandemicbecamepersonal.Sushmacontracted COVIDduringthedevastatingsecondwave.Thedesperate searchforahospitalbed,thefear,theslowrecovery-these werevisceralremindersoffragility

"Thepandemicremindedusofasimpletruth:lifeisshort," shereflects."Let'skeepitsimple,stayconnected,andfind joyintheeveryday."
Overtwenty-twoyearsinfinancialservices,Sushmahas accumulatedimpressiverecognition:theLeadership ExcellenceAward,InnovationAward,Team&Delivery ExcellenceAward,andtheExecutiveAward.Yetwhen askedwhichrecognitionmeansthemost,shedoesn't hesitate:theVoiceoftheCustomerrecognition.
"Knowingthatourworkhasmadeatangibledifferencein people'slivesisthemostrewardingrecognitionofall,"she shares.
Herpersonalaccomplishment,thatsixty-five-kilogram transformation,standsalongsideprofessionalachievements asintegraltoherstory.Itrepresentsthesamequalitiesthat defineherprofessionalsuccess:resilience,consistency,and theunwaveringbeliefthatnogoalistoofar-fetchedwhen pursuedwithdedication.
Sushma'sadvicetoaspiringleaderscutsthrough conventionalwisdomwithrefreshingdirectness: "Leadershipisnotreservedforthosewithtitles;itbegins themomentyoutakeownershipofyourjourney."
Thisdemocratizationofleadershipempowersindividualsat everylevel.Leadershipmeansshowingupfully,taking responsibilitynotjustforassignedtasksbutforyourown development,andembracingchallengeswithcouragerather thanwaitingforperfectconditions.
"Seekoutmentorsandsponsorswithinyourorganizationor community,"sheadvises."Mentorsprovideguidanceand perspective,whilesponsorsadvocateforyour advancement."Thedistinctionmatters.Mentorshelpyou grow;sponsorshelpyougo.
TheThreeEs
Whenaskedabouthermantra,Sushmaarticulateswhatshe callsthe"3Es":
Energykeepsyouactiveandfocused,providingthefuel forsustainedeffort.Withoutenergy,physical,mental, emotional,eventhebeststrategiesfalter
Enthusiasmdrivespassionandpositivity,transforming workfromobligationintoopportunity.It'scontagious, inspiringteamsandinfluencingoutcomesinwaysthatpure competencecannot.
Empathybuildsmeaningful connectionsandunderstanding, acknowledgingthatwe're workingwithhumans,not resources,leadingteams composedofindividualswith theirownchallengesand aspirations.
Together,thesequalitiescreatea strongfoundationforgrowth, resilience,andsuccess.



FromthatwindowinTumakuruwhereayounggirl watchedtheworldtransform,totheseniorleadership officeswhereshenowshapesstrategyforCapgeminiIndia, Sushma'sjourneyembodiesaparticularkindofsuccess.It’s measurednotjustintitlesbutintransformation,resilience,
Herstoryresonatesbecauseit's honestaboutthecostsand struggles,theweightgained andlost,therejectionsfaced andovercome,therisks taken,andthelessons
Ithonoursthesupportsystemsthatmakeindividual achievementpossible-familywhoheldthingstogether, mentorswhoopeneddoors,andcoacheswhoguided transformations.
Butultimately,it'sastoryaboutownership-taking responsibilityforyourjourney,refusingtobedefinedby circumstances,choosinggrowthovercomfort,embracing riskasopportunity,andviewingsetbacksasdataratherthan defeat.
Hermessagecarriestheweightofhard-wonwisdom: "Successstemsfromcontinuousself-developmentand learning.Yourcareerisyourresponsibility;stayopento growth,investinyourself,andembracenewopportunities. Beambitious,notdesperate.Supportothers'growth,build strongconnections,andstayloyal.Balanceworkwith personalpassions.Nevergiveup.Adaptandfind alternatives."
Thesearen'temptymotivationalphrases,butprinciples testedovertwodecadesofnavigatingoneofthemost demandingindustries,survivingpersonalhealthcrises, weatheringglobalpandemics,andemergingstronger.
AsTumakurucontinuesitstransformation,asnew generationslookouttheirwindowsandwonderabout possibilities,Sushma'sjourneystandsastestamenttowhat becomespossiblewhenresiliencemeetsopportunity,when talentmeetsdedication,andwhensomeonedecidesthat theircircumstancesareastartingpoint,notadestination.
Thestoryisn'tfinished.Newchallengesawait;fresh opportunitiesbeckon.Butthefoundationissolid:energy, enthusiasm,empathy,andtheunwaveringbeliefthat growth,inallitsforms,isnotjustpossiblebutessential.In theend,perhapsthat'sthemostvaluablelesson:that transformationisn'taone-timeeventbutacontinuous process,thatsuccessisn'tadestinationbutadirection,and thatthemostimportantjourneyistheonethathelpsyou becomenotjustprofessionallyaccomplishedbutfullyand authenticallyyourself.











Afreshchapterofworldleadershipisemerging-
thistimenotcharacterizedbyhierarchy, dominanceorinflexibletradition,butratherby foresight,braveryandhumaneness.Thewordsofwomen leadershaveechoedacrosscountriesandindustries.They confirmprogressintheirownspheresandevangelizethe contagiouseffectoftheirtransformationforthewhole society Theirleadershippracticeisanewmoralvalorcourageousandtempered,tacticalandempathetic, perseveringandsensitivetohumannature.

Theissueofwomeninleadershippositionsisnolongerthe soleconcernofthenumberofwomenleaders.Itmeans quiteanotherthing-athoroughredefinitionofleadership itself.Inmanycases,femaleleadersarepresentedwithnew rolesandalargersphereofinfluence.Theirattitudesare suffusedwithstrongmotivation,theyarenotattractedby gainingmorepowerthough.Whatpullsonthemisthe prospectofmakingarealdifference.Womendonotascend theladdertomimic,butrathertoredesignitwithmore openness,fairnessandmoralprinciples.
Suchariseisactivatedbyonetraitaboveall—courage. Thesearetheattitudesthatdaretodefyantiquated standards,toseizeaspotatthetablewheretheirviewshave neverbeenheardbeforeandtoestablishatrackwhereit hasnotbeen.Thestatementmadebytheircomingisaloud one-thattheworldleadershipismostpowerfulwhenitis diverseanddynamicinthesamewayastheworlditserves.
Theyleaddifferently,thesetopfemaleexecutivesof today—notoutofnecessity,butratheroutoftheirfreewill. Theirleadershipattributesareamixofbrainandgut feeling,hardworkandkindness,andforesightandmoral
principles.Whattheydoistoacertainextenttofollowa genuinepathwhichstronglyresonatesinaworldthatis desperatefortransparencyandtrust.
Withouttheuseofdominance,theyderivetheirpowerfrom beingabletobringthosebesidethemuptotheirlevel. Theseladiesleadbyhearing,comprehendingandgiving powertotheothers.Theyprefercollaborationto competition,useofpurposeratherthanego,andprogress ratherthanperfection.Thankstosuchbehavior,they contributetotheformationofworkenvironmentsandlocal communities,wherepeoplefeelrespectedandaccepted, and,hence,motivatedtobringthebestofthemselves.
Thissincereapproachtomanagementisnotonly changeable—quitetheopposite,itisinfectiousaswell.It promoteschangesinmanagementstylefromstrictlytopdowntomorehuman-orientedapproach,whereleadership isconsideredbeingaservicenotashowofcontrol.



Thenewethoscannotdowithoutoneofitscore components—inspiration.Tobeinspiredbywomenleaders doesnotmeanadmiringonlytheresultsoftheirefforts,but also—perhaps,mainly—theprocesses.Theirresilience, theirvisionandtheirabsolutecommitmenttomakingthis worldabetterplacearetheaspectswhichimpressmostof all.Theleadersaremakinganewsetofpossibilitiesby beingtheverythingsthatarerequired:clarityofaim, courageofdeed,andcompassionindirecting.
Theirreach,however,isnotlimitedbyneitherthebusiness northepoliticalsphere.Theybringaboutthechangesin education,entrepreneurship,healthcare,science,art,social justiceandtechnologysectors.Theyencouragetheyouthto dreamnotonlydifferently,butalsomoredaringly They motivatecommunitiestochallengestereotypes,totear downbiases,andtoadvancetowardsajustfuture
Itisinleadingandcallingotherstolead,inconfronting establishedviews,anddaringtodream,thatthepeoplefind notonlytheimpetusbutalsothepermission,fromtheir narratives.Women'sbecominganelementinthesystemis theprovisionforotherstoascend.
Oneofthemostsignificant,powerful,andlong-lasting effectsofwomenleaderstodayistheheritagetheyare sewingforthetimestocome.Theirendeavorsmakeit possibleforthecominggenerationsofgirlsandwomento befearlessinsteppingforward,totakeleadershiproles,not apologizing,andtoseeaworldwheregenderdoesnot hinderonefromachievinggreatthings.
Theydonotinfluencefutureleadersthroughbeingflawless, butthroughtheavenuesthatareopen.Theydemonstrate thatleadershipisalearningjourneythatneverstops—one thatisinfluencedbystamina,beingtruetooneself,and havingagoal.




Leadershiptodayisnolongercharacterizedbystrict
hierarchiesorbyauthoritybasedonthetraditional ideasofpower.Itischaracterizedbytheskillsto interact,tocreateavision,andtosupportotherswhile dealingwiththecomplicatedsituationwithconfidence.

Womenleadersareperformingremarkablebycombining theirstrongpointsinaneffectivemannerthatischanging theveryconceptofleadershipacrosssectorsandin differentpartsoftheworld.
Theyusetheirbrainsforthingslikeplanninganddecisionmaking,andleadbydevelopingqualitieslikeloveand empathyinthepeopletheymanage-abalancethatnotonly increasesthetotalofthecompanybutalsocreatesthekind ofcultureswherebothpeopleandthegoalofthecompany flourish.
Women'sleadershiptodayisalandmarkonthewaytoa differentfuture.Itisabletoemploystrategywithoutlosing empathy.Italsosupportstheideaofprogresswithout givingupontheprinciples.Themostoutstandingfeatureof womenleadersistheperfectunionofbrainandheart,logic andfeeling,andthisisthereasonwhytheyarerecognized asthemajorplayerswhoinfluencetheupcomingchanges.
Femaleexecutivesareoftentheclearestthinkerswhenit comestoplayingoutastrategy Theyusuallycharacterize theirapproachtostrategyasmulti-layeredwhichresults fromtheircapacitytolookataprobleminaholisticway,
notonlytheyvisualizethedirecteffectsbutalsotheindirect onesandtheytakeintoaccountperspectivesthatare perhapsignored.Suchthoroughthinkingactuallybringsnot onlyeffectivenessbutalsolongevitytotheirstrategies.
Moreover,theirstrategicpowerisequallyattributableto theirflexibility Womenleadersareextremelyagilein handlingnewsituationsandareequallyquicktotakeinthe newreality,tomakeadjustmentstotheirplanswithfull considerationandtoadvisetheirstaffonthewayoutofthe darkperiodwithbothfirmnessandcharm.Ononehand, theyworkouteverythingindetailandontheotherhand, theystillwanttobefreetoevolvewhichiswhytheyextend thereachoftheirstrategieswhilestillbeingabletomove forward.
Themostprominentfeatureoftheirstrategicworkisthatit isbasedontheprincipleofopenness.Tomakeastrategya secretofonlyahandfulofpeopleissomethingwomen leaderswouldneverthinkofinsteadtheyarewideningthe decision-makingprocesstogetinputfromthediverse voices.Thegroupintelligencethatcomesfromthisisthe majorreasonforthestrategiesbeingnotonlyricher,more resilientbutalsobecomingmoreandmorevaliddaybyday astheworldkeepschangingatafastpace.



Whilethestrategycanbelikenedtoamap,theheartisthe onethatprovidesthelink.Womenleadersareadeptat recognizingandtakingcareofleadershipaspectswhichare human,i.e.thefeelings,thedrivingforces,andthedreams ofpeoplewhichinturnbringoutthebestinthem.Besides, theseleadersusetheirinfluencetocreatenotonlythe accomplishedgoalsbutalsotofostertogetherness,trust, andcommonpurpose.
Empathyisthemostcharacteristicfeatureoftheirleading. Itprovidesthemwiththeabilitytolistenattentively,tohelp sincerely,andatthesametime,togeneratesituationswhere peoplearewillingtooffertheirservices,toshowtheir doubts,andtodevelopthemselves.Beingableto communicatewithpeopleattheirlevelcontributesalotto loyaltyandatthesametime,ithelpsformdifferentwaysof cooperationinsteadofrivalry.
Usingtheheartwhenleadingdoesnotmeanbeingsoft; ratheritmeanshavingpower.Thispowerimpliestheability tounderstandbeforeevaluating,toraiseratherthanto controlandtoconsiderpeoplefirstevenwhenthingsget difficult.Thisapproachthatiscenteredaroundthehuman
being,isasourceofenergyforthecallforparticipationand itisalsothereasonwhytheteamsgetinspiredtonotonly givetheireffortsbutalsotoshowtheirdedication.
Oneelementofthewomenleadershiplegacyisnotonlythe greatthingsthattheydo,butalsotheopportunitiesbrought aboutbythem.Theirleadershipfirstofall,givesthepower totheotherstocomeupwiththeirownstrengths,it definitelyhelpstheculturetochangeanditalsocreates leadingpathsforthenextgenerations.Moreimportantly, theyhavereducedtheorganizationstothebeingmore human,morefuturistic,andmoreinharmonywiththe worldthatisintellectuallyandcompassionatelyinclined.
Sharpintellectualabilities.Caringandempathetic.Thisis thedoublepowerthatcharacterizeswomenleadershipthese daysandnotasararephenomenonbutratheran indispensabledrivingforce.Aleadershipthatseesnotonly thewholebutalsothedeepercalling,thatgoesontomake thenextstepsbutatthesametime,italsolooksafterthe people,thatdaretobedifferentbutstillhavethesenseto listeniswhatwomenleadershipisallabout.





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