Indian Power Pow-Wow,Wow!: Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

The most powerful indians in 2010: No. 1-10

Posted: Friday , Feb 05, 2010 at 1351 hrs Flow

1 : Rahul Gandhi, 39
Congress General Secretary

Why
He topped the power list last year. He’s at the head of the power list
this year as well because, even more than one year back, after the
Congress’s big general election win, what he says hugely influences
political discourse, and what he wants and doesn’t want will determine
how the ruling party will look in the near future. His ability to talk
straighter than most Indian politicians, including those from his
party, on subjects like money in politics and family in politics has
added to his profile. If the Congress is a viable player in UP and
sees hope in the rest of the Hindi heartland, his worst critic cannot
but credit him. He’s comfortable with talking positively about reforms
and growth, and has quiet influence on policy.

Power punch
He was instrumental in the Congress going into the 2009 elections
without Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Yadav. The strategy paid off.
He’s bringing some democracy into the Congress. His demand for a
Bundelkhand Development Authority has added a new dimension to the
politics of development.

What next
His next big test is Bihar elections. After that, his future plans.
Whatever he decides, it is likely to be the biggest decision in Indian
politics that time.

2 : Manmohan Singh, 77
Prime Minister

Why
Why does he move one position up from last year’s list? Because the
mid-2009 election victory was a mandate, among a few other things, for
Dr Singh. His authority in the party and the government is of a
different and higher order than it was in the first term. He can claim
credit for the economy having survived the Great Global Recession with
relatively lesser pain. He can claim credit for power diplomacy after
26/11, that included his refusal to bow to hawks inside and outside
the government. He stood up for the now famous Sharm-el-Sheikh joint
statement with Pakistan.

Power punch
This is Dr Singh’s government in many more ways than UPA-I was. Non-
performing ministerial assets were dropped. Pesky allies were stood
down. And radical changes were determinedly and often cleverly
implemented, for example, on climate change negotiations.

What next
His PMO team revamped, expect some out-of-the-box foreign/strategic
policy shifts. Should we also expect some economic reforms? That’s the
great big question facing the doctor’s prime ministership now.

3 : Sonia Gandhi, 63
Congress President

Why
Why has she dropped one rank? Because the No. 2 in our list this year
is stronger and she wanted it that way, and because she wants No. 1 in
our list to be more prominent. So she’s No. 3 more or less because her
bets on others have succeeded or look like they will succeed. Of
course, those who are courting the Congress know she’s the one to
appeal to. Look at Lalu Yadav, for example. She and PM have as close a
policy-political relationship as they shared in UPA-I. There’s a core
group for crucial decisions. But the most sensitive ones are often
decided by these two.

Power punch
When Congress spokespersons looked hesitant after the Sharm-el-Sheikh
controversy, she came out in the PM’s support and the party found a
voice. The BJP dared the Congress to name a PM candidate before the
May 2009 elections. She chose the manifesto release function to name
Dr Singh.

What next
The safest political prediction is that she will be reelected Congress
President next July. It will be her twelfth consecutive year in the
post. She looks good for many years. But Rahul looks like he’s
finished his apprenticeship and is ready for bigger things. How that
is going to work out is the big question.

4 : P Chidambaram 64
Union Home Minister’

Why
He jumps five ranks because he’s probably been the most consistently
big-thinking minister in this cabinet. Whether on moving the
intelligence establishment out of its comfort zone, or talking
straight and tough on Naxalites, or asking for a complete rehaul of
his own ministry, the home minister has left few in doubt about two
things. 1. He dislikes status quo. 2. He’s the boss of his big remit.
Under him, Home is once again the second most powerful office after
the PMO.

Power punch
He gave a speech last December on restructuring internal security.
Note that the new NSA doesn’t have internal security duties, which
have been restored to Home.

What next
His deadline for setting up a National Counter Terrorism Centre is
end-2010. Also

slimming down the Home Ministry.

5 : Pranab Mukherjee, 74
Union Finance Minister

Why
That his rank is the same in our power list this year is quite
appropriate for this veteran: many things change, but his huge
influence doesn’t. Recently, PM postponed a 7 p.m. meeting on price
rise at his residence for the next day because Bangladesh Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was to visit Mukherjee’s residence at 6.15
p.m., got delayed by over an hour. Though he sent word that they
should proceed without him, the PM thought it fit to reschedule the
meet.

Power punch
He is the only minister in the cabinet who commands sufficient clout
to openly admonish or disapprove of the functioning of colleagues, be
it A Raja, Shashi Tharoor, S.M. Krishna or Sushil Kumar Shinde.

What next
Controlling the deficit and starting some reforms.

6 : Mohan Rao Bhagwat, 58
RSS Sarsanghchalak

Why
He cruises up the power list this year, achieving the biggest jump,
because he’s got the RSS back as the director of BJP affairs. He
singlehandedly forced the BJP to usher in a leadership change. He has
wrenched control of the BJP back from the party leadership. Time will
tell whether this has furthered the cause of the RSS and BJP. But his
hugely increased clout has been established beyond doubt.

Power punch
He banished former Sarsanghchalak K S Sudarshan to Bhopal when he
found his predecessor was coming in the way of his effective working.
Once he turned to the BJP, he said no Delhi-based leader would do as
party chief.

What next
He has put his own credibility at stake by picking Nitin Gadkari. His
success or failure would be judged by Gadkari’s performance.

7 : Nitin Gadkari, 53
BJP president

Why
He makes his debut because he’s chief of the main Opposition party.
But he gets in so high because he has a full mandate from the RSS. He
is far more powerful than former BJP presidents like Kushabhau Thakre,
Venkaiah Naidu and K Jana Krishnamurthi, who had to work under the
shadow of Vajpayee and Advani. Given the emphasis on “new faces,” he
has the opportunity to make radical changes in the party set-up and
phase out the deadwood.

Power punch
He resolved the Rajasthan BJP crisis at a seven-hour marathon meeting
by making squabbling state party factions agree to a truce. He has put
an age ceiling of 55 for key office-bearers.

What next
He has to create a strong team. He has to tour the country and be
careful of hangers-on from his homestate who can insulate him from the
party.

8 : Mamata Banerjee, 55
Rail Minister

Why
A nearly 20-place jump in our power list from last year, she’s proof
of what being on the right side of coalition politics and the
possibility of a history-making electoral victory (in Bengal) can do
to your national profile. The second-largest UPA-II coalition partner,
she’s both a key Congress ally and a reminder to the ruling party that
though the Left is left by the wayside now, there’s plenty of Left-
like politics to reckon with. Her use of the railways remit as a power
base-enhancer in Bengal is unapologetic. Congress needs her. Congress
is wary of her.

Power punch
She gets away with not just blocking big ticket legislative changes
like land acquisition but also not attending cabinet meetings
.
What next
Can she become CM material? Will she spend more time in Delhi? How
will she deal with Maoists?

9 : Narendra Modi, 59
Chief Minister of Gujarat

Why
He comes up one slot because even with a new RSS-backed BJP chief, his
importance has increased in a party that needs morale boosting. When
Mohan Bhagwat proposed the name of Nitin Gadkari as party chief, L K
Advani reportedly proposed Narendra Modi. He remains the first among
all the BJP CMs. Not the least because Gujarat’s growth story remains
undimmed.

Power punch
The one man in the BJP now who can potentially argue confidently with
Mohan Bhagwat, with whom he was similarly positioned in the RSS
hierarchy. The RSS may not like him. But they never underestimate him.
In the new BJP, that will be a crucial element.

What next
He believes the key to his success is the improvisation quotient in
his ‘Gujarat model’. He’s concentrating on the Gujarat Swarnim
Jayanti.

10 : Ahmed Patel, 60
Political secretary to Congress President

Why
Sonia Gandhi’s trusted lieutenant moves up because he was a key
planner and executioner of the party’s electoral strategy last year.
Though not known to be get involved in government’s affairs unless
asked to, he plays an important role in decision-making at core group
meetings. His job also involves cleaning up the mess created by tricky
political decisions.

Power punch
After the PM picked 20 Cabinet ministers, he was left to address the
rest — balancing factors like caste, religion and regional
representation and addressing individual aspirations and egos. He
successfully dealt with an ambitious and assertive ally like the NCP.

What next
He’s proved his mettle and more with Sonia, but what happens as and
when Rahul comes to the fore, that’s the big question. His plus:
intense loyalty to the family.

http://www.indianexpress.com/supplement/India/798/

The most powerful indians in 2010: No. 11-20

Posted: Friday , Feb 05, 2010 at 1348 hrs

11 : Duvvuri Subbarao, 60
RBI Governor

Why
Subbarao makes it to the list this time and in the top 20 because last
time, he was still finding his feet as RBI chief while this time,
there’s no question he’s the boss. He will, in part, decide how fast
India grows in the near term. How he exits from easy monetary policy
this year may be the most crucial economic policy question for the
country.

Power punch
He hasn’t toed the government’s line in the conduct of monetary
policy, as some thought he would. Though the government preferred to
appoint him than giving Y.V. Reddy an extension, Subbarao surprised
some of his supporters once he settled in.

What next
How he views the growth-inflation trade off over the next few quarters
will be crucial.

12 : Ratan Tata, 72
Industrialist

Why
He drops a notch because he has had to face many storms. The
automobile to tea conglomerate he runs earns more than 60 per cent of
its revenues from abroad. He’s probably India’s most successful
globaliser and he coped with the global credit crunch without any
major mishaps.

Power punch
He went radical to save his high-priced global buys, Corus and JLR.
Just as he did in moving his Nano plant. He shut down some Corus units
and retrenched staff to keep the company afloat. He also went for a
financial restructuring to salvage JLR; his luxury cars are selling
more now.

What next
Corus and JLR will have to be steered to full safety this year.
Besides, Tata will have to fulfill the promises of wide and easy
availability he made while launching Nano. Plus he has to pick a
successor.

13 : S H Kapadia, 62
Chief Justice-designate

Why
He makes it to the list because he is the next Chief Justice of India.
A stickler for judicial propriety, his tenure is expected to bring the
apex court back to the old school mode of judicial code of conduct by
which a judge should only be seen or heard in court, not outside. His
opinion in the top-notch Supreme Court Collegium carries immense
weight on appointments in the higher judiciary.

Power punch
In December 2009, shortly after the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition
report came out in public, he spoke his mind at a public function that
“religion is a matter of personal belief and is better kept at home.”

What next
The apex court has already lost round one and two of the RTI battle in
the Delhi High Court. He will be key in deciding whether the court
will decide to appeal to itself.

14 : Priyanka Gandhi, 38
Daughter of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi’s sister

Why
She moves up in the power list because as her brother’s profile grows
larger, her political inputs become more crucial. When all three are
in Delhi, mother and the two children have daily sit-down discussions,
usually over lunch at 10, Janpath. That she’s becoming more political
was clear when she took charge of nursing her brother’s and mother’s
constituencies.

Power punch
“Kya main buddhi dikhti hun (Do I look old)?” was her riposte to
Narendra Modi’s jibe that the Congress is an old party. Her 10-day
campaign blitzkrieg in UP was one of the game-changers in UP for the
Congress.

What next
As the Congress prepares for Mission 2012 in UP, plans are afoot to
expand women’s self-help groups, which she started in Amethi and Rae
Bareli, all over the state.

15 : Digvijay Singh, 63
Congress General Secretary

Why
He makes the jump in this year’s list because he’s probably the only
Congress general secretary to have the ears of Rahul Gandhi. While the
Amethi MP gets the credit for the Congress’s performance in UP, the
general secretary who was in charge of the state played a big part as
well. PM was keen to have him in his cabinet. But he’s said to have
preferred the party job.

Power punch
As part of a three-member committee negotiating with SP leaders on
seat-sharing arrangements in UP in the last Lok Sabha election, Singh
came to the table knowing Rahul Gandhi was thinking of going it alone.
He drove a hard bargain. Amar Singh got mad. But Digvijay called it
right.

What next
UP needs a lot more attention from him. He has the daunting job of
picking the party’s Assembly candidates for the 2012 UP elections.

16 : Mukesh Ambani, 52
Industrialist

Why
The small drop in this year’s list has little to do with his corporate
power, which is undimmed, but new entrants in the upper reaches of the
list. For many other industry captains, an ugly fight with a sibling
and a rival might have taken the sheen off a bit. Not with him. And
that’s because he’s chairman and managing director of Reliance
Industries Ltd, the largest listed company, with a market
capitalisation of Rs 3,46,000 crore. He has entered oil and gas
exploration in a big way.

Power punch
He wants to take control of LyondellBasell, the third largest
petrochem group in the world. If he succeeds, it will bring RIL among
the top ten players in this segment globally.

What next
The takeover outcome will be known this year, as will most likely the
verdict of his litigation with Anil Ambani.

17 : Sharad Pawar, 69
Union Agriculture Minister

Why
He drops in the list because with Congress firmly in the saddle at
Centre, unlike last time when it needed more support, Pawar has lost
considerable clout. NCP’s fortunes have also taken a dip during
elections for Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly last year. His
performance as farm minister in the middle of concern over price rise
has drawn a lot of flak. He’s still a force, but a somewhat diminished
one.

Power punch
He retained the same number of portfolios during government formation
at the Centre and also did not concede crucial NCP ministries to the
Congress in Maharashtra.

What next
As president during the 2011 cricket World Cup, he will be in the hot
seat. His future in politics will be influenced by how he tackles food
price inflation. There’s also the question of succession in NCP.

18 : Sushma Swaraj, 57
Leader of BJP in Lok Sabha

Why
She makes it to the list because as the new Leader of Opposition in
Lok Sabha, she’s the party’s public face. Having already won
appreciation for handling parliamentary responsibilities, she now
aspires to be the consensus-builder. She has ensured adequate
participation of heavyweights like MM Joshi and Yashwant Sinha in
parliamentary party affairs, even as she encouraged the Young Turks in
the party to take part in parliamentary debates.

Power punch
Taking part in the parliamentary debate on Liberhan Commission Report,
she said “all of us were ready to go to jail on Liberhan”—in what was
meant to be a clear positive signal to the RSS.

What next
Plans to travel widely. She wants to engage with young MPs in the
party via programmes conceptualised by Vinay Sahasrabuddhe.

19 : Mahendra Singh Dhoni, 28
India cricket captain

Why
He moves up the list because his record keeps getting better and with
it, his standing. You can’t imagine Indian cricket without Dhoni now.
His Test record is 11 wins, no losses. He takes his captaincy very
seriously, staging dramatic press conferences, like at the 2009 world
T20 championships, if doubts are cast on the team.

Power punch
In a year when India had lost their T20 world title rather tamely,
Dhoni led from the front, scoring two centuries as the Test team beat
Sri Lanka 2-0 at home to become the top-ranked side in the world. His
older brother recently joined the BJP and spoke about his younger
brother’s ‘admiration’ for the party.

What next
The 2011 World Cup is the big target. And of course, maintaining the
top Test ranking, especially because many say the team doesn’t deserve
it.

20 : Ganpathi, 58
Maoist leader

Why
His real name is Mupalla Laxman Rao, his photo is hard to find, and he
breaks into the power list because this most-wanted Naxalite leader
commands an extremist movement which the Indian state considers to be
the biggest internal security challenge now. He is powerful because
his brand of “political” violence has caused the government to commit
enormous resources to counter his armed cadres.

Power punch
He planned the massive scaling up of Naxalite violence just when
Maoist influence appeared to be waning. The Centre offered to hold
dialogue with the Maoists if they gave up violence. Naxalites, led by
him, ignored the offer.

What next
Will he ever give up the gun and come to the negotiating table? That’s
the question.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-most-powerful-indians-in-2010-no.-1120/576095/0

The most powerful indians in 2010: No. 21-30
Posted: Friday , Feb 05, 2010 at 1344 hrs

Amazing BharatanatyamWest Bengal to Waste BengalApathetic
PoliticianThe S philosophy of vyaSa 21 : Jairam Ramesh, 55
Minister for Environment

Why
He breaks into the list, and in the top 30, because Copenhagen showed
he’s capable of negotiating domestic and global political challenges
on policy. He put pragmatism in India’s climate negotiations. For six
months ahead of the meet, Ramesh made small shifts in the government’s
position and was able to convert it into the official line despite
protests by influential members of India’s team. He has raised the
profile of the Environment Ministry.

Power punch
In his statement in Parliament after the Copenhagen meet, Ramesh said
he had gone beyond domestically comfortable commitments at the
conference. The PM was there and he was backing his minister.

What next
Bt Brinjal: to clear or not to clear. Also, can he reduce the
ministry’s discretionary powers on project grants?

22 : Fali S. Nariman, 81
Legal expert

Why
He goes up sharply in the list because, at a time when the Bar and
Bench are accused of overreach, he is their conscience-keeper. From
arguing for minority rights to being the only official to resign in
protest against the Emergency, he blends legal acumen with integrity
in a way few others can.

Power punch
When he lent his weight to the movement against Justice P.D. Dinakaran
being elevated to the SC, their lordships listened. Justice
Dinakaran’s appointment is now on hold, while his impeachment
proceedings start.

What next
With questions about judicial accountability only set to get louder,
Nariman’s mediating role remains the strongest hope of consensus
emerging over judicial appointments and punishment.

23 : Kanishka Singh, 39
Rahul Gandhi's aide

Why
The son of former diplomat, the late S.K. Singh, he makes it to the
list because as his boss becomes more important, the aide who has the
trust of the boss and can control access to the boss becomes a player.
He’s becoming to Rahul Gandhi what Ahmed Patel is to Sonia Gandhi.
He’s been with Rahul for five years and is the man for all jobs.
Though extremely polite, he can give a piece of his mind to powerful
ministers.

Power punch
Did AICC HQ know of Rahul’s tours during the last elections? No. That
information was with Kanishka Singh. He planned Rahul’s campaign
schedule.

What next
His big test will come as and when he starts dealing with party
veterans outside the secure confines of 12 Tughlaq Lane, Rahul
Gandhi’s residence and work HQ.

24 : AK Antony, 69
Defence Minister

Why
He goes up the list because he’s stronger in UPA-II. He helped the
Congress-led alliance sweep Kerala in the Lok Sabha polls. In his
first term as a “clean” defence minister, he became a confidante of
Sonia Gandhi and was asked to handle the ministry a second time. Many
in the government want a faster build-up of defence ties with the US
and Israel. He prefers gradualism. He’s got his way so far.

Power punch
When a corruption scandal broke out last year in the Ordnance Factory
Board, he banned seven defence firms from all dealings. He has also
intervened firmly in the army land scam case.

What next
He has to ensure procurements of equipment close to $ 10 billion for
the armed forces, though allegations of wrongdoing will inevitably
crop up.

25 : Sunil Mittal, 51
Industrialist

Why
He stays almost where he was despite the failure of the Bharti-MTN
merger because Bharti is getting more and more of Bharat to talk. He
heads the seventh largest telecom company in the world; India’s
largest. With the telecom sector poised to grow faster than China,
Bharti can only grow bigger. He beat a conglomerate like the Tatas in
terms of market cap at one time.

Power punch
He tried hard to push the Bharti-MTN deal through. He couldn’t succeed
but his determination showed what his ambitions are. His telecom
venture now serves 100 million-plus Indians.

What next
If his mantra of low cost and high volume succeeds in any other
emerging market outside India, he has the potential to emerge as one
of the world’s topmost telecom players.

26 : T.K.A. Nair, 69
Principal Secretary to PM

Why
His clout has increased, hence he comes up the list. As the PM takes a
firmer grip on policy, his principal secretary becomes more important.
The PM has tremendous trust in this retired IAS officer. He is a key
link between the party and the PM and his reputation as a man who can
deliver remains intact. That he got the same job as he did in UPA-I is
proof of his importance.

Power punch
When the PM set up a delivery monitoring unit in the PMO to keep track
of his pet projects as well as flagship programmes, he entrusted it to
Nair. When business tycoons want the PM’s ear, they speak to Nair. He
played a key role in the Air India bailout efforts.

What next
Only one question: How long will he have the boss’s confidence? From
present evidence, for quite some time.

27 : Kamal Nath, 63
Minister for Road, Transport and Highways

Why
He slips down the list because the change in politics post-2009 polls
has made some party colleagues move up the list; his earlier
portfolio, commerce, was more high-profile. But he’s definitely in the
top 30 because as minister for roads, he has one of the most critical
jobs in UPA-II.

Power punch
Known to push his way with the PMO, he has the PM engaged in the
highway development programme with regular updates. He has ensured
that Planning Commission’s involvement in the road sector is the bare
minimum. A big change for the commission.

What next
He plans to build 20 km of roads a day by the next fiscal and has
managed to pull up the daily average to 8 km a day since June 2009,
from 2 km a day earlier. More action is likely in awarding projects.

28 : Prithviraj Chavan, 64
Science and Technology Minister

Why
He makes it to the list this year because in UPA-II, he is far more
powerful than he was in UPA-I. He’s one of the few to have good access
to the PM and Sonia. He’s a key party-government link. In UPA-II, he
has charge over five ministries, two more than he had in UPA-I, and
that list includes the department of personnel and training, which has
administrative control over the CBI.

Power punch
Under his charge as party general secretary, the Congress retained
power in Haryana for the second time. He has been given the task of
getting the Nuclear Liability bill approved.

What next
Upward mobility is expected to continue with elevation as cabinet
minister in the near future.

29 : Nitish Kumar, 58
Bihar Chief Minister

Why
He drops down our list because although he reduced his state rivals
Lalu Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan to also-rans in the 2009 general
elections, his plans to be a key member in Delhi’s government-
formation went nowhere. But his stature as a reformist CM has grown.

Power punch
When he talks development, Delhi’s policymaking establishment listens.
That Bihar has clocked a growth of 11.03 per cent, second to one of
India’s most prosperous state Gujarat (11.05 per cent), makes the case
for his governance. Some decisions taken by his government are being
replicated by the Centre, for example, 50 per cent reservation for
women in panchayats.

What next
Bihar goes to the polls this year. The results will define his
position in every way.

30 : Shashi Tharoor, 53
Minister of state, MEA

Why
He didn’t tweet his way into the list, that too in the top 30. He’s
here despite his tweets. How many Congress ministers can carry on
after poking fun at the party’s austerity drive, dissenting with his
senior minister on new visa policies and having to deny he
interrogated Nehruvian foreign policy? The fact that Tharoor still has
his job shows he has something many party colleagues would love to
have: the ability to survive a big controversy.

Power punch
He enjoys Sonia Gandhi’s confidence and has a direct line of
communication with Rahul Gandhi. After his public critique of visa
restrictions, some modifications were implemented. Tharoor could have
tweeted, I told you so.

What next
Drumming support for India’s bid for permanent membership of the UN
Security Council. Of course, tweeting will continue.

The most powerful indians in 2010: No. 31-40
Posted: Friday , Feb 05, 2010 at 1339 hrs

31 : AR Rahman, 44
Music composer

Why
He drops down marginally in our list despite the Oscar, Golden Globe
and the BAFTA wins only because there have been new entrants in the
top 30. If he wins the two Grammys he is nominated for, this will
truly be his decade. At home his music for Delhi 6 broke records and
reinforced Rahman’s star power.

Power punch
In 2009, Time magazine named him in their top 100 list of World’s Most
Influential People. He also got an honorary fellowship from the
Trinity College, London. His collaboration with Pussycat Dolls on the
Jai Ho track is a chartbuster.

What next
Rahman’s hands are full with Rajnikanth’s Enthiran, Mani Ratnam’s
Raavana and Abbas Tyrewala’s 1-800-Love.

32 :Om Prakash Bhatt, 58
State Bank of India chief

Why
He goes up in our list because his stewardship of India’s largest bank
was critical as the banking sector came out of the crisis and walked
into a situation where credit flows weren’t picking up. With a branch
network of 10,000, a deposit base of Rs 7,70,985 crore and advances of
Rs 6,07,154 crore, he has huge influence. His bank’s size allows him
to help the government and RBI in meeting lending targets, fighting
inflation and keeping interest rates within reasonable levels.

Power punch
He launched a successful home loan scheme at 8 per cent interest (for
the first year). His aggressive moves have made SBI the leader in the
home loan segment.

What next
If Bhatt decides to keep interest rates steady, other banks will have
to follow the leader.

33 :Kapil Sibal, 61
Union Education Minister

Why
He makes it to the list because in seven months he undid almost all of
what his predecessor Arjun Singh did to education. From making Class X
boards optional to cleaning up the education sector (allowing the CBI
to act against AICTE head) to passing the Right to Education bill to
the crackdown on deemed universities, Sibal has been busy and
effective.

Power punch
He pushed through the proposal to make Class X Boards optional in all
10,000 CBSE schools. He took on all the grandees who benefited from
the deemed university racket.

What next
Topmost on his agenda are laws and rules that will allow foreign
universities into India. He wants to put traction in the proposals of
the National Knowledge Commission and the Prof Yashpal-led committee
on higher education.

34 :L K Advani, 82
BJP Parliamentary Party chairman

Why
He drops down the list for obvious reasons: an election lost, a party-
parliamentary post lost, a new leadership in the party. But he makes
it in the top 40 because his word is still important in the BJP. RSS
bosses have negotiated peace with him.

Power punch
He installed key confidantes Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley as leaders
of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively and
ensured that neither Murli Manohar Joshi nor Rajnath Singh gained from
his marginalisation. RSS-backed Nitin Gadkari became the party
president also because his name figured in Advani’s list.

What next
When senior BJP leaders refer to him as their patron, they wish to
deprive him of a hands-on role. He is not succumbing to these hints.

35 :Anil Ambani, 51
Industrialist

Why
Comes up a bit in our list although his flagship Reliance
Communications is facing profit margin pressure, like any other
telecom company. His plus is his big foray in global cinema. The third
richest Indian, after elder brother Mukesh and LN Mittal, has big
Hollywood plans. He owns a controlling stake in Steven Spielberg’s
DreamWorks studio and has struck deals with stars like Brad Pitt, Jim
Carrey, Julia Roberts and George Clooney to finance their films.

Power punch
Reliance Infrastructure bagged the Rs 11,000 crore Mumbai Metro Line
II project from Maharashtra government. He also bagged the Tilaiya
Ultra Mega Power Project in Jharkhand that involves an investment of
Rs 16,000 crore.

What next
Reliance Infratel is planning to launch a mega IPO this year.

36 :Shivshankar Menon, 60
National Security Advisor

Why
Makes the list this year because he’s the new and, as PM hopes,
improved NSA. His scheduled retirement came soon after the Sharm-el-
Sheikh controversy. But he was kept in the loop on critical foreign
policy discussions, especially on China. Menon’s Pakistan experience —
he has been High Commissioner in Islamabad and used to have direct
access to General Pervez Musharraf—will be crucial because Pakistan
will be PM’s foreign policy priority.

Power punch
When MK Narayanan was eased out as NSA, he was PM’s first and only
choice as replacement. He got Pranab Mukherjee’s support as well.

What next
Big thinking on Pakistan and China. He will also head the executive
committee of the Nuclear Command Authority.

37 :G.M. Rao, 60
Chairman of GMR Group

Why
He makes it to the list because he owns one of the biggest
infrastructure companies in the country. He is also one of the richest
Indians (13th on the 2009 Forbes list). The group started as a jute
mill in 1978 and has grown to one with interests in airports, energy,
highways and SEZs.

Power punch
His company won the bid to privatise the Indira Gandhi International
Airport, New Delhi, as well as to build and operate the country’s most
modern Rajiv Gandhi International Airport near Hyderabad. He also owns
the Delhi Daredevils team.

What next
The first phase of the Delhi airport will be commissioned in time for
the Commonwealth Games. The GMR group’s first global project is to
modernise the Istanbul airport.

38 :Arun Shourie, 68
BJP leader

Why
He makes it in this year’s list and in the top 40 because he has
publicly and severely critiqued the BJP, and the party has let him do
it. He is the intrepid crusader-intellectual who engages with the big
questions of his time, often taking on holy cows, unafraid to put
himself in the firing line for his convictions.

Power punch
In an interview with Indian Express editor-in-chief Shekhar Gupta on
NDTV 24/7, after BJP’s defeat in the May 2009 polls, he spoke about
the “great pygmyisation” of leadership and described the party as a
kati patang. He urged the RSS to swiftly take hold of the BJP. And the
RSS did.

What next
It remains to be seen if his candour and the BJP’s tolerance of it
means that the party is moving towards a resolution of the vital
questions.

39 :Aamir Khan, 44
Actor

Why
He has risen in the list this year, thanks to 3 Idiots that grossed Rs
375 crore (and still counting) in just four weeks, breaking his own
film record of Rs 200 crore for Ghajini. Aamir’s production Peepli
Live has been selected for the Sundance Festival. It will also be
competing at the 60th Berlinale Festival. He continues to be
associated with good causes that adds to his profile.

Power punch
He has signed a Rs 35 crore- endorsement deal with Etisalat mobiles—a
UAE-based cellular giant set to launch its service in India. It is the
biggest endorsement deal in Indian advertising history.

What next
Aamir, the actor, will be seen in wife Kiran Rao’s directorial debut,
Dhobi Ghaat, his producing prowess will be seen in Delhi Belly and
Peepli Live.

40 :Naveen Patnaik, 63
Orissa Chief Minister

Why
He comes up in the list because he won the Orissa elections for the
third time, this time by dumping the BJP. Probably the best
advertisement against the anti-incumbency hypothesis, this urbane
politician is a potential national politician, provided the coalition
dice falls right for him some time.

Power punch
No one questions his clout. He’s got rid of powerful rebels like
Srikant Jena. He took two minutes flat to tell central BJP emissary
Chandan Mitra ahead of the Lok Sabha and the Assembly elections that
he had decided to part company with the party.

What next
Faces the twin challenge of Maoists and Hindu fundamentalist
organisations. Orissa is still underdeveloped. The onus is on him to
take it out of its current state.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-most-powerful-indians-in-2010-no.-3140/576092/0

The most powerful indians in 2010: No. 41-50
Posted: Friday , Feb 05, 2010 at 1335 hrs

41 : Deepak Shantilal Parekh, 65
Banker

Why
The chairman of Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) has
been instrumental in taking the EMI culture to the masses. As he
relinquished the executive position in the company and became the non-
executive chairman this January, his ranking is down this year. He is
also chairman of Sebi’s Primary Market Advisory Committee.

Power punch
Parekh used his vast experience to rescue scam-hit Satyam Computer and
worked out strategies to bring a new promoter (the Mahindras). The
hard work of Parekh and other directors paid off and Satyam is now
doing well.

What next
Though he has given up an active role in HDFC, nobody expects him to
fade into oblivion. He is consulted by the government regularly. Will
he, like Nandan Nilekani, be asked to join GoI for a special project?

42 : M Veerappa Moily, 70
Union Law Minister

Why
He debuts in the list because he is the government’s prominent trouble-
shooter. He’s often consulted by both Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi
on sensitive issues. Under his watch, the law ministry has got back
the Justice Department.

Power punch
It was on his suggestion that Sonia Gandhi okayed K Rosiah over YSR’s
son, Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, as Andhra Pradesh CM after YSR’s death.
Moily has been working to bring pro and anti-Telengana Congress
leaders closer. During the case between the Ambani brothers over
supply of gas, both were seen courting Moily.

What next
He will be piloting an important legislation, Judges Standards and
Accountability Bill. He has promised to get at least two-thirds of the
2 lakh-plus undertrials out of prisons by July-end.

43 : K M Chandrasekhar, 65
62, Cabinet Secretary

Why
He goes down the list only because the PM’s advisor circle is getting
new faces. And because his term expires in June. But he may get a post-
retirement crucial job. His importance was clear from the fact that
extending his tenure in office by one more year was one of the first
administrative decisions taken by UPA-II. Not just the PM, most senior
politicians in power respect his advice.

Power punch
He got the bureaucracy to work hard and work quick on drawing up UPA-
II’s 100-day action plans. He has also put in place a new performance
rating and appraisal system for civil servants. He wants to put this
system in place before he retires.

What next
One more extension? Or a key post in PMO? Don't rule out either.

44 : MK Stalin, 56
Deputy CM, Tamil Nadu

Why
The son of M. Karunanidhi makes his entry into the list because he is
the de facto chief minister of one of the biggest states of India. His
fans say, tongue in cheek, that Rahul is the Stalin of the Nehru
family.

Power punch
His elevation as the Deputy Chief Minister, a day after his brother MK
Azhagiri took oath as a minister at the Centre eight months ago,
settled the question as to who will lead the party and government
after chief minister M Karunanidhi. He holds portfolios like industry,
general administration, district revenue offices, minority welfare,
social reforms and special initiatives, all held earlier by
Karunanidhi. The only thing he isn’t is the CM.

What next
An announcement could come as early as June at the World Classical
Tamil Meet: Stalin as CM and party president.

45 : K V Kamath, 62
Banker

Why
He became the non-executive chairman of ICICI Bank in April last year
after he retired as CEO of the country’s second largest bank. So he
slides down the list. But it’s only by one point as the man who
created the retail banking space remains an influential figure in the
banking sector.

Power punch
The last six months of his tenure as MD & CEO in 2008-09 was when the
global financial crisis hit banks across the world. ICICI was also
caught in it, but he successfully led the bank before passing the
baton to Chanda Kochhar in April 2009.

What next
He is still the guiding force for the ICICI group. His knowledge makes
him suited for a bigger role in the financial sector or the corporate
world in the future.

46 : Brijmohan Lall Munjal, 86
Industrialist

Why
The chairman of Hero Honda group makes it to our list because even in
the middle of last year’s recession, his company’s stock was on the
rise.In the ’80s, his company was the first to overtake Bajaj Auto,
then the country’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, in terms of size
and sales. He set up Hero Cycles in Ludhiana in 1954 before forging a
joint venture with Honda Motors’ motorcycle-making unit in Japan 30
years later.

Power punch
He calls the shots when it comes to all the big decisions the
government takes for promoting the auto sector and making Indian an
automobile hub.

What next
How he counters the Nano is what we will be watching. There are also
talks of Hero Honda launching a low-cost vehicle.

47 : Shah Rukh Khan, 44
Actor

Why
His one release last year Billu was tepid at the box office; he was
out of action because of surgery; he was in talks for the lead role in
3 Idiots but things didn’t work out— a bad move. That’s why SRK drops
down our list. But he remains Bollywood’s biggest brand, owns an IPL
cricket team and his My Name is Khan could change the equation.

Power punch
He had 17,400 followers within 24 hours of joining the social
networking site, Twitter. He also has the unique distinction of having
a crater on the moon named after him by the International Lunar
Geographic Society.

What next
With his next Ra.1, SRK has an ambitious plan to produce India’s
biggest sci-fi film. He will play a superhero in the film.

48 : Nandan Nilekani, 54
Chairman, Unique Identification Authority of India Co-founder, Infosys

Why
Moves down a bit in this year’s list because although his cabinet-rank
appointment was a big radical opportunity, he seemed to have found the
ways of the government more challenging than many thought he would.
But, as the handpicked man for implementing the Rs 3,000-crore
national ID card initiative, his power is obvious. Plus, there’s that
sheen that comes when someone quits a top job at a $ 2-billion company
to join public administration.

Power punch
One of the few cases in India where an intellectual idea led to a
government appointment. His debut book Imagining India talked about
unique identification numbers. The PM liked the idea. And he got the
job.

What next
This is a crucial year for the ID card project. We will find out if a
private sector success can succeed in government.

49 : Goolam E Vahanvati, 60
Attorney-General of India

Why
India’s first Muslim Attorney-General, he gives professional weight to
a job that in UPA-I was seen as being held by a particularly political
appointee. He is tasked with drawing up the roadmap for crucial and
long-delayed reforms in the judiciary.

Power punch
His is the strongest voice in the government that doesn’t want the
judiciary’s independence to be tinkered with. But, he can also caution
the judiciary against exceeding its limits while dealing with PILs.
The only AG in recent times who drafts important legislations himself.
Law Minister M Veerappa Moily doesn’t take any major decision without
consulting him.

What next
Along with Moily, he will have to negotiate with the judges on the
‘stricter’ clauses in the proposed Judges Standards and Accountability
Bill.

50 : Raj Thackeray, 41
President, MNS

Why
He makes it this time and in the top 50 because although MNS has a
presence in barely half-a-dozen pockets of the state and just 13 MLAs
in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly, his violent identity politics
has made him a key political player in the state. The Shiv Sena is
trying to emulate the MNS. The Congress, NCP and BJP don’t want to
effectively counter-attack him .

Power punch
How many votes he takes way from whom has become a key factor in state
election results. The MNS also scored a surprise in the Assembly
elections by winning 13 seats when few had given it a chance of a
double-digit tally.

What next
His target is to get the better of the Shiv Sena in the 2012 elections
to the BMC, the country’s richest civic body. He is betting that post-
Bal Thackeray, he will get more clout.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-most-powerful-indians-in-2010-no.-4150/576091/0

The most powerful indians in 2010: No. 51-60
Posted: Friday , Feb 05, 2010 at 1153 hrs

51. CHANDRASEKHAR BHASKAR BHAVE, 59
Sebi Chief

Why
This 1975 batch IAS officer comes up sharply because Sebi has been at
the forefront of reforms of late. How mutual funds can determine
customer fees so that retail customers benefit more is among his major
initiatives. He is also tough on erring intermediaries. He barred
Barclays and Societe Generale from issuing fresh participatory notes
for violation of norms.

Power punch
One reason for the souring of Bharti Airtel and MTN merger was the
Sebi rule that entities buying offshore global depository receipts and
American depository receipts with voting rights issued by an Indian
firm will have to make an open offer to buy an additional 20 per cent
shares. Bhave brought in a level-playing field in this matter.

What next
Expect changes in capital market regulations and reforms in rules
governing mutual funds.

52. SACHIN TENDULKAR, 36
Cricketer

Why
He moves marginally down only because of new entrants at the top.
Having surpassed 30,000 runs over the 2009 winter—exactly two decades
after he made his debut in international cricket—he doesn’t have to
prove anything to anyone. His 20 years in cricket was a national
event.

Power punch
Spoke his mind last year to stunning effect. “Mumbai belongs to India.
That is how I look at it. I am a Maharashtrian and I am extremely
proud of that, but I am an Indian first.” The value of that statement
in today’s Mumbai is huge.

What next
A dream of a World Cup title—the only trophy missing from his cabinet—
beckons and Tendulkar will get a shot at it in 2011, when India have
their best shot at the championship, playing at home.

53. SAMEER JAIN, 55
and Vineet Jain, 43
Media barons

Why
The promoters of India’s largest media house, Bennett, Coleman &
Company Ltd, known for their game-changing business strategies, remain
almost where they were on our list. BCCL has a significant presence in
every pure and allied media segment: TV, radio, Internet, outdoors,
event management and other new media ventures.

Power punch
The Jain brothers can teach the best of marketers a lesson or two.
Despite criticism about how they drives advertising revenues, they
manage to create a buzz around what they do. What else are the Teach
India, Lead India and Aman Ki Asha campaigns about?

What next
Maintaining its leadership position in print and radio, a larger share
of the TV audience. Digital media is likely to be one of the key focus
areas.

54. MAYAWATI, 54
Chief minister of Uttar Pradesh

Why
She drops down the list sharply because the 2009 elections reduced her
clout at the Centre, because the Congress is a player now in UP,
because her champions, the Left, are out of national reckoning,
because the number of controversies around her is beginning to
seriously affect how she’s perceived.

Power punch
She managed to thwart Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s idea
of establishing an autonomous Bundelkhand Development Authority of
underdeveloped regions carved from UP and MP. She also halted the
dipping graph of her party in the state by comprehensively winning
Assembly by-elections and legislative council elections.

What next
She has to check a resurgent Congress ahead of the 2012 Assembly
elections.

55. ARUN JAITLEY, 57
Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha

Why
A sharp slide from last year, despite getting the Leader of Opposition
post in the Rajya Sabha. This is because, in the new RSS-dominated
BJP, his urbane skills aren’t at a premium. If the BJP’s fortunes
revive, expect his to as well: a party doing well needs someone like
him to talk to the world.

Power punch
If there’s a complex policy issue, if there’s a spin to be given, if
TV needs a particularly smart BJP point of view, the party turns to
him. Plus, he’s close to Narendra Modi, and that always matters.

What next
He will spend the coming months specialising in and speaking on issues
like climate change, globalisation and terrorism, thus trying to
emerge as the party’s foremost spokesperson on “policy issues”.

56. G K PILLAI, 61
Home secretary

Why
Together with P Chidambaram, Pillai is transforming the Home Ministry.
Like his boss, this mild-mannered officer is pro-active and hands-on.
He knows how to get things done. He enjoys the confidence not just of
Chidambaram but other ministers too.

Power punch
The deftness with which he handled the Chinese business visa issue has
been praised. So has been his push on swift investigation into the
David Headley case. He has been speaking often, some say too often, on
internal security. But the home ministry seems more open as a result.

What next
His tenure will be judged on the effectiveness of anti-Naxalite
operations, restructuring internal security and setting up a counter-
terrorism mechanism.

57. OMAR ABDULLAH, 39,
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir

Why
He drops in the list because his first year as CM saw him struggling
to contain the anger at the Shopian deaths. But he has maintained a
steady focus on good governance, worked to build bridges between the
Hurriyat and New Delhi and supported a revival of engagement between
India and Pakistan. He has a good rapport with Rahul Gandhi.

Power punch
When PDP leader Muzaffar Beig accused him of being part of the
Srinagar sex scandal, he took the high moral ground and resigned. That
blunted the opposition attack.

What next
The National Conference is the only party in J&K with an appeal that
cuts across religions and regions. His leadership will be tested by
the traditionally treacherous political climate of the state.

58. AMBIKA SONI, 66
I&B Minister

Why
I&B, where she moved from Culture, which she had in UPA-I, was
supposed to have become less relevant. But I&B is becoming more
relevant, because broadcast TV’s many enthusiasms are forcing it to
look at setting guidelines. That’s why she makes it to the list. Her
light-touch approach works better than her predecessor’s. One of the
notable ministers in the cabinet.

Power punch
She’s changing the Prasar Bharati Board. She has put National Film
awards back on track; awards for 2007 and 2008 were announced within
seven months of her taking over.

What next
She is keen to bring the International Film Festival of India on a par
with global counterparts. She’s also part of a PMO-led plan to ensure
better flow of information during national emergencies.

59. RONNIE SCREWVALA, 54
CEO, UTV Software Communications Limited

Why
He rises considerably in our list after UTV’s strategic tie-ups with
Walt Disney, Fox Searchlight, Sony and Will Smith’s Overbrook
Entertainment Production. In Time’s list of 100 most influential
people in the world for 2009, he is ranked No. 78.

Power punch
In the just announced National Awards, six films produced by UTV
Motion Pictures won eight awards.

What next
The much-awaited Harishchandrachi Factory, UTV’s first Marathi
production, is about to be released soon. UTV’s Bindass channel has
grabbed eyeballs with new shows The Big Switch and Emotional
Atyachaar. Their forthcoming film No One Killed Jessica, which is
based on the Jessica Lal murder case, is also keenly awaited.

60. AZIM H PREMJI, 64
Wipro chairman

Why
He sees opportunities long before others do. He guided Wipro Ltd from
a $2 million company to a $5 billion company with interests ranging
from soaps to software. Among the early movers into green
technologies, he is also a social innovator driving extensive research
into India’s education system and coming up with significant
initiatives.

Power punch
Wipro Ltd, specifically its IT services business, rode out the
recession last year with alacrity and stayed on the positive growth
path.

What next
With the outlook for the IT and ITES business set to be positive
through 2010, Premji can be expected to acquire more companies and
expand his business. Announcements on innovations in green technology
can be expected.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-most-powerful-indians-in-2010-no.-5160/576073/0

The most powerful indians in 2010: No. 61-70
Posted: Friday , Feb 05, 2010 at 1104 hrs

61. ANIL AGARWAL, 57
Industrialist

Why
This former metal scrap dealer debuts in our list because his $10-
billion global business has a bigger presence in India and he is one
of the few in the mining business to notch up successes recently.
Today, he is the uncrowned king of the non-ferrous metal business.
Like steel tycoon L.N. Mittal, he has a knack for turning around loss-
making companies. A considerable part of the Indian metal sector’s
growth can be attributed to him.

Power punch
He has become the biggest zinc producer and the fourth largest
aluminium producer in the world. In a surprise move, he took over Sesa
Goa for a mining foray.

What next
He has plans for power generation. If things go well, Vedanta would be
firing its 10,000 MW turbine soon.

62. K CHANDRASEKHAR RAO, 56
Chief of Telangana Rashtra Samiti

Why
Rao, or KCR as he is popularly known, makes it to the power list for
single-handedly bringing the Telangana movement back on the radar. His
11-day hunger strike for a separate Telangana state also gave a fillip
to the politics of hard bargain.

Power punch
KCR was written off after the dismal performance of his TRS in the May
2009 elections. But he staged a stunning comeback with that hunger
strike, forcing the Centre to announce that it would start the process
of creating a separate Telangana state.

What next
With the creation of Telangana state running into trouble due to a
lack of consensus among political parties, and agitations and protests
continuing, KCR will stay in the limelight for a long time.

63. RAJIV BAJAJ, 43
Industrialist

Why
The elder son of Rahul Bajaj and managing director of Bajaj Auto is a
new entrant because he’s among the most exciting young faces of
corporate India. Bajaj Auto allowed Hero Honda to race ahead in the
late ’90s. But it is in a strong comeback mode under Rajiv. Apart from
running its two-wheeler operations, Rajiv is also spearheading the
small car project in partnership with Renault-Nissan.

Power punch
Despite his father Rahul’s reservations, he announced the company’s
plans to exit the scooter business as it “no longer makes sense”.

What next
He wants to put Bajaj among the top three two-wheeler makers in the
world. Expect new models this year. His small car venture will also
take a concrete shape this year.

64. LAKSHMI NIWAS MITTAL, 59
Industrialist

Why
LN Mittal moves down our list as his two planned greenfield projects
worth Rs 80,000 crore to be based in Jharkhand and Orissa have not
taken off. Not one to give up, Mittal realises the opportunity to
establish a low-cost complete value chain: from producing captive iron
ore to producing steel at a reasonable cost. Mid-sized Indian
companies like Uttam Galva have begun seeking to synergise their
operations with ArcelorMittal.

Power punch
Leaving Jharkhand and Orissa governments jittery, Mittal has set off a
wooing war between states. He is scouting for locations elsewhere and
his team has visited Karnataka.

What next
He has trained his eyes on brown field expansion—through new buys. He
is expected to gradually merge Uttam Galva Steel into his empire.

65. CHANDA KOCHHAR, 48
Banker

Why
She debuts on our list for rising from a management trainee in 1984 to
the Managing Director and CEO of ICICI Bank, the largest private
sector bank in the country. Since 2005, she has not missed her spot on
the Forbes list of the World’s Most Powerful Women in Business.

Power punch
She pipped six strong internal candidates including Shikha Sharma,
Renuka Ramnath and Sanjoy Chatterjee to emerge as the consensus
candidate for heading the bank. She has transformed ICICI into the
largest private sector bank in the country in just a decade.

What next
She is slamming the brakes now. Over the next year, she plans to let
the balance sheet remain at previous year’s levels as she brings back
investor faith after the global financial crisis.

66. KANIMOZHI, 41
Rajya Sabha MP

Why
A new entry on the list, DMK president and Chief Minister M
Karunanidhi’s daughter is said to have inherited his literary
qualities. She is her party’s answer to the woman power that arch-
rival Jayalalithaa has flaunted so far. With Maran, she is the face of
the DMK in Delhi.

Power punch
After keeping a low profile for years, Kanimozhi finally emerged from
the shadows after becoming Rajya Sabha member. She also organised the
women’s conference of the party, the first ever such initiative.

What next
A reluctant politician thus far, she is learning the ropes and is
emerging as a good public speaker over the past few years. With the
Assembly election scheduled for next year, she is expected to be more
active during the party's campaign.

67. N K SINGH, 69
Former bureaucrat, JD (U) politician

Why
In his new role as chief adviser to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar,
this former bureaucrat and now JD(U) MP continues to wield the kind of
influence that would be the envy of his peers. Known for his amazing
network, it is no surprise that he is the brain behind Nitish Kumar’s
initiatives in the state.

Power punch
He got global players to partner in the building of an international
university at Nalanda and got Amartya Sen to head the panel to oversee
the opening of the institution. Got corporate czars like Ratan Tata,
Mukesh Ambani and Sunil Mittal to talk investment in Patna.

What next
His role as adviser to CM will be put to test when the state goes to
polls this year. If JD(U) returns to power, Singh will be expected to
get some big investments to the state.

68. SHEILA DIKSHIT, 72
Chief Minister, Delhi

Why
When the Congress swept the May 2009 parliamentary elections in Delhi,
it did so riding the Sheila Dikshit wave that had brought it back to
power in the state for a third straight time. So why is she a few
notches down from last year’s power list? A Chief Minister who is
“nervous” about her state’s preparations for the Commonwealth Games
doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. Also, despite her best efforts,
she failed to get MCD under the Delhi government.

Power punch
She managed to hike water, power and electricity tariffs in quick
succession, all in her third term. There wasn’t even a whimper of
protest in a state that has no Opposition worth its name.

What next
In eight months, Delhi hosts the Commonwealth Games. Everything
depends on whether she gets that right.

69. SURESH KALMADI, 66
President, IOA

Why
He makes it to the list this year because the Commonwealth Games this
year are India’s biggest sporting responsibility. There’s little doubt
that Suresh Kalmadi, Indian Olympic Association president (a post he
has held for one-and-a-half decades already), is the most influential
man in Indian sport outside of cricket. If the Games go well, expect
his clout to go up big time.

Power punch
He came back from the drubbing he got from Commonwealth Games
Federation head Mike Fennell and in two months was being praised by
Fennell. He got his organisational act together. He got his political
act together even more. He played mediator when India’s hockey team
went on strike and got them back to the training camp.

What next
The Games obviously.

70. N. RAM, 64
Editor, The Hindu

Why
Publisher and editor-in-chief of The Hindu, N. Ram is one of India’s
most respected journalists. .The Left is out of the power equation at
the Centre. But his primary claim to being in the list remains: his
newspaper continues to be a forum for identifying and debating crucial
matters of public interest. For example, The Hindu started the debate
on “paid news” in the media.

Power punch
He hasn’t let the commercialisation of the newspaper business get the
better of him. The Hindu is the only newspaper in India to have an
internal ombudsman. The group entered the television segment in a
joint venture with NDTV last year.

What next
He’s been vociferous about the deterioration in media practices. We
may see a book by him on the function of the press and the media’s
role in the social and economic context.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-most-powerful-indians-in-2010-no.-6170/576066/0

The most powerful indians in 2010: No. 71-80
Posted: Friday , Feb 05, 2010 at 1752 hrs

71. KUMAR MANGALAM BIRLA, 42
Industrialist

Why
He goes up our list because, first, he continues to disprove the
hypothesis that young heirs often make bad corporate chiefs and,
second, because he has big plans. His group is among the top five
business conglomerates in the country. He made successful forays into
mutual funds, insurance, retail and financial services. His $ 29.2
billion Aditya Birla group is India’s largest cement-maker and the
10th largest in the world. He also controls companies of BK Birla, his
grandfather, for example, Century Textiles.

Power punch
He demerged the cement business from Grasim and merged it with
Samruddhi Cement. Analysts said it would lead to higher equity stake
for promoters but he convinced shareholders.

What next
Integrating BK Birla companies with the Aditya Birla group.

72. KALANIDHI MARAN,44
CMD, Sun TV Network
DAYANIDHI MARAN, 43
Union Textiles Minister

Why
The reclusive elder brother is one of India’s richest media barons,
the younger is a second-term minister at the Centre. They survived a
falling-out with DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi. Kalanidhi owns the
second-largest DTH service in the country, while Dayanidhi is now the
face of the DMK in Delhi — as the spectrum scam doesn’t leave A Raja
and M K Azhagiri has a language handicap.

Power punch
After the public split with the Karunanidhi household, the business
faced the threat of a government-owned cable distribution network.
Dayanidhi was expelled from the party and cabinet. But they patched
up, Daya became a central minister, and the cable network became non-
existent.

What next
The business looks set to grow. There are reports of the duo starting
an aviation company.

73. RAGHAV BAHL, 48
Founder, Network 18

Why
The founder and editor of Network 18 is the man behind leading
television channels in genres as diverse as business news (CNBC TV18),
mainstream news (CNN-IBN), Hindi general entertainment (Colors) and
teleshopping (HomeShoppe18), among others. He also owns several
magazines, a newswire service and a thriving film production and
distribution businesses.

Power punch
Colors became the number one channel in the most lucrative genre in
the television business last year. The group also launched Forbes
India and Entrepreneur magazines.

What next
He has been vocal about his desire to add a business daily to his
media empire. The plan was hit by last year’s slowdown. He may realise
that dream this year. Regional markets may be big on his agenda.

74. PRASHANT BHUSHAN, 53
Senior lawyer

Why
Last year, he was on the list with father Shanti Bhushan. This year,
he fills the slot himself. This has been a good year for Prashant, who
took on the Supreme Court twice on the issue of judges declaring their
assets and won both times.

Power punch
Appearing for RTI activist Subhash C Agarwal, he got the Delhi High
Court to declare the Chief Justice of India as a “public authority”
and bring the office of the Chief Justice of India under the Right to
Information Act. He was one of the leading Supreme Court lawyers to
question the apex court collegium on the elevation of Justice P.D.
Dinakaran to the apex court.

What next
If the Supreme Court appeals to itself against the Delhi High Court’s
decision on the CJI’s office coming under RTI, he will be at the
forefront.

75. MADHUSUDAN KELA, 41
Fund manager

Why
He debuts on our list because he has the power to set the direction of
the Indian stock markets. He heads equity investments at the country’s
largest fund house, Reliance Mutual Fund, which had average assets
under management worth Rs 1,19,981 crore last December.

Power punch
When the markets were in a trough in the aftermath of the global
crisis, Kela and his fund house never deviated from their core
message: given India’s long-term growth prospects, it makes sense to
keep investing in equities despite their short-term volatility.

What next
Maintaining his fund house’s pace of growth in times of regulatory
flux; reducing reliance on corporate and bank money and focussing more
on retail business will be a key challenge.

76. SHOBHANA BHARTIA, 52
Media baron

Why
Chairperson and editorial director of one of the country’s oldest
media houses, the Hindustan Times group, she has been credited with
its successful transformation into a diversified listed media
powerhouse.

Power punch
She is the driving force behind making the flagship daily, Hindustan
Times, more youthful. The newspaper went for a makeover in 2009 and
tied up with The Washington Post for content sharing. The Hindi daily
Hindustan is also in expansion mode.

What next
Higher growth for the existing business and chalking out new alliances
look like the way forward for the group. Talks are underway to display
Hindustan Times and Mint content on internet giant Yahoo India’s home
page.

77. M M GUPTA, 69
Dainik Jagran CMD
and SANJAY GUPTA, 47
CEO and Editor

Why
Their flagship daily, Dainik Jagran, remains the country’s largest
read newspaper despite the mad expansion by competitors and new
launches we have seen in the recent past. The paper has 37 editions
across 11 states, a rare feat for any publication across the world.

Power punch
Their group was one of the very few media groups not to be affected by
the economic downturn. Their experiment with a bilingual daily (Hindi
and English), Inext, and their partnership with Yahoo! for co-branded
Hindi news was successful.

What next
Diversifying into new markets, consolidating the position on the top
and pushing up ad revenues may be big on the agenda for the company.

78. AMITABH BACHCHAN, 67
Actor

Why
He pulled off an award-winning performance in Paa but the most
recognised face of Indian cinema slides down our list because one of
his two releases last year, Aladin, was commercially and critically a
turkey. Aladin II is now in the cold storage.

Power punch
His blog, which is now 644 days old, continues to maintain its
relevance for his fans. He hasn’t missed a single day of blogging.
Everything Bachchan blogs about becomes a story. His recent overture
towards Gujarat CM Narendra Modi was much talked about.

What next
Bachchan gets to match his histrionic skills with Ben Kingsley in Teen
Patti and will also be seen in Rann, Shoebite and Chenab Gandhi.
Important announcements are expected from his banner, AB Corp.

79. AVEEK SARKAR, 65
Editor-in-chief, ABP

Why
He moves down a few notches as his media empire is not booming as well
as the rest in the business. But Sarkar has steered the ABP Group of
Publications from the regional arena to the national playfield. It is
a force to reckon with in the Bengal market.

Power punch
He continues to strike partnerships with foreign media houses. Has a
majority stake in Star News, the Hindi news channel launched by Rupert
Murdoch’s Star India Network. Sealed a deal with Time Warner Group to
launch an Indian edition of Fortune, and is also set to launch the
Indian edition of The Spectator. Was instrumental in setting up
Penguin India under a partnership with Penguin UK.

What next
A formal launch of Fortune followed by that of The Spectator.

80. SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN, 50
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister

Why
For someone who got the job by sheer political accident, Shivraj Singh
Chouhan is slowly asserting himself. His daringly independent views on
compulsory voting and on politicians’ role in sports’ bodies show he
is positioning himself as a leader who is different from his
flamboyant Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi.

Power punch
When he differed with Modi on compulsory voting. “Kai baar garibon ke
liye vote se zyada mahatvapurna roti hoti hai," he said in response to
Modi's idea of compulsory voting in Gujarat. Earlier, in response to
the ban on Jaswant Singh's book in Gujarat, he ruled out any such move
in MP.

What next
Like most BJP leaders, he is fond of road shows. His latest ‘Madhya
Pradesh Banao Yatra’ will keep him on the road for two days a week.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-most-powerful-indians-in-2010-no.-7180/575703/0

The most powerful indians in 2010:

No. 81-90

Posted: Friday , Feb 05, 2010 at 1650 hrs

81. UDAY KOTAK, 50
Banker

Why
He debuts in the list as he’s considered India’s top investment
banker. The MD of Kotak Mahindra Bank is involved in leading fund-
raising activities like IPOs, bond issues and overseas fund
mobilisation. He’s also known for innovative financing options and
structured deals. His asset management, investment banking, securities
and insurance businesses are doing well.

Power punch
When he broke his ties with US banking giant Goldman Sachs three years
ago, many thought his days as a businessman were over. The opposite
has happened: his companies have gone from strength to strength.

What next
He will consolidate his position in investment banking, securities,
insurance and commercial banking. With a buoyant capital market, he’s
raring to go this year.

82. BARLJA DUTT, 38
TV journalist

Why
As Group Editor and the face of one of India’s largest English news TV
channel NDTV 24x7, Dutt is among the most influential media persons in
the country. The journey to this position has been full of hard work,
grit, determination and passion.

Power punch
Very few women journalists in Indian television have managed to
achieve the position that she has. She established herself with her
reporting of the Kargil war and has never looked back. When 26/11 TV
coverage was criticised, her standing ensured she became the
personification of TV news for both sides of the debate.

What next
Television news engendered enough questions post-26/11 for there to be
an attempt to regulate it better. She will be in prime focus as
stakeholders assess how TV journalism changes post-new rules.

83. G JANARDHANA REDDY, 43
G KARUNAKARA REDDY, 47, and G SOMASHEKHAR REDDY, 42
Businessmen and ministers in the Karnataka govt

Why
The Reddy brothers from tiny Bellary are on our list because of their
powerful combination of wealth and political clout. They are among the
richest businessmen in Karnataka and hold three key ministerial
portfolios in the state government. G Janardhana Reddy is the real
force of the trio. Much of their wealth comes from the mining
companies he owns.

Power punch
In November 2009, they brought the BJP government in the state to its
knees by engineering a rebellion of MLAs against Chief Minister B S
Yeddyurappa. That forced the BJP to undermine Yeddyurappa and give in
to their demands.

What next
They are crucial to the continuance of the 19-month-old state
government. A CBI probe into allegations of illegal mining is
pending.

84. HARISH SALVE, 59
Advocate

Why
He drops down the list because his sure touch failed him in the Bombay
High Court while arguing in favour of Mukesh Ambani in the Godavari
basin gas dispute case. He was also at the receiving end of the SC
when he argued in favour of CM Mayawati’s right to erect statutes and
memorials in Uttar Pradesh.

Power punch
His successful fight for the Uphaar theatre victims took him from
trial courts to the high court. As amicus curiae in Supreme Court
forest bench, he has helped the court regulate an area that the
political class is afraid to touch.

What next
The next big SC decision, he thinks, will be on goods and services
tax, and the allocations of taxation powers between the Centre and
state governments. No prizes for guessing who is likely to argue the
matter.

85. DR DEVI SHETTY, 56
Cardiac surgeon

Why
Dr Devi Shetty brings Japanese-style process innovation to the
healthcare sector. With a business model that focusses on large
volumes and differential pricing for the rich and the poor, his
Narayana Hospitals are creating as many as 30,000 hospital beds in
cities in India.

Power punch
Dr Shetty inaugurated the first of his health city projects in
Bangalore in December 2009—the complex has a heart hospital, an
emergency and trauma care facility, an eye hospital, the Mazumdar-Shaw
Cancer Centre, a nephrology unit and a neurosciences facility. Similar
projects are on in other cities.

What next
Scheduled to sign an agreement to build a heart hospital in Cayman
Islands that will later be expanded into a 1,000-bed health city. It’s
expected to serve as an affordable, near shore health destination.

86. E SREEDHARAN, 77
Managing Director, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation

Why
The ‘Metro Man’ is credited with changing the face of public transport
in the Capital. Of the 135 Metros in the world, the Delhi Metro Rail
Corporation (DMRC) is one of the five in the world that are making
operational profits.

Power punch
In the year of the Commonwealth Games, the Delhi Metro will change the
city’s skyline and Sreedharan is the face of that transformation. So
when he took moral responsibility for a mishap at a Metro construction
site in July 2009 and resigned, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit asked
him to stay back.

What next
By the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the Capital, the Delhi Metro will
cover 189 km. He has hinted at a possible retirement soon, so it will
be interesting to see who replaces him.

87. NR NARAYANA MURTHY, 63
Entrepreneur

Why
Murthy’s gradual loosening of ties with Infosys sees him slip down the
list. But he is still someone everyone listens to—and that’s not just
at Infosys. He displayed his un-sapping energy for entrepreneurship by
creating a new venture capital fund, Catamaran, that will help young
Indian entrepreneurs.

Power punch
Convinced Nandan Nilekani to give up his top job at Infosys to head
the Unique Identity Authority. Got Sonia Gandhi to inaugurate a
corporate education centre in Mysore. Gave science talent a boost by
instituting the Infosys Prize.

What next
Murthy’s Catamaran will invest primarily in India and in the social
sector.

88. VIJAY MALLYA, 54
Industrialist

Why
He drops 20-plus places in the power list because some of this former
Rajya Sabha MP’s businesses and pleasures— airlines and owning a T-20
cricket and motor racing teams—were doing better earlier than now. His
attempt to frighten the government, by getting private airlines to
announce a strike to extract concessions, bombed. But a man whose
liquor company, United Breweries, is the third biggest in the world,
is always someone to reckon with in business.

Power punch
His businessmen’s trade union tactic failed but he did get the
airlines together to present a common argument. And he got back to the
country what the government couldn’t—some of Mahatma’s belongings.

What next
If aviation picks up, he will have new plans soon. Has plans to bring
Formula One to India.

89. DR ZAKIR NAIK, 44
Televangelist

Why
The evangelist, who wears suits and ties and preaches Islam in
English, is a powerful orator. His sermons on Peace TV-English boast
of a viewership of 100 million. The channel is aired in more than 125
countries and was launched in North America last year. Last year, he
launched Peace TV Urdu, which has 50 million viewers. In the last 14
years, Naik has given 1,300 public talks, including 100 in 2009.

Power punch
Naik’s 10-day “peace conference” last November in Mumbai was attended
by a million people. His lecture at the same conference was attended
by around 2 lakh, including former Malaysian deputy prime minister
Anwar Ibrahim.

What next
He plans to launch Peace TV-Bangla by December and a news channel by
2012 or 2013.

90. ANAND MAHINDRA, 54
Industrialist

Why
The vice-chairman and MD of top utility vehicle maker Mahindra &
Mahindra and co-promoter of Kotak Mahindra Bank, makes it to the list
this year because he took a brave bet on bidding for and acquiring
Satyam. Also, he took group company Mahindra Holidays public last
year. Another reason: he’s stepping up his presence in defence-related
production.

Power punch
The takeover of Satyam Computer, the most important corporate
development last year, was a milestone. He assessed the troubled tech
company and valued it accordingly, surprising many in the corporate
world.

What next
The performance of Mahindra Satyam will be keenly watched. Mahindra's
joint venture with Renault to make Logan is under strain.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-most-powerful-indians-in-2010-no.-8190/575690/0

The most powerful indians in 2010:

No. 91-100

Posted: Friday , Feb 05, 2010 at 1603 hrs

91. LALIT MODI, 46
IPL chief

Why
He rises in the list because IPL is as big as ever and he has survived
controversies without too many scars. But his clout has taken some
knocks. He lost the Rajasthan Cricket Board elections twice in a year.
His powers in the IPL board are clipped, with BCCI slowly but surely
looking to take control of the tournament.

Power punch
In September ’09, BCCI terminated IPL’s contract with the
International Management Group, event managers for the first two
editions of the tournament. But Modi stopped this attempt by BCCI to
take over.

What next
With the third IPL returning to India after a year, everything depends
on how the season turns out. Also, he will have to deal with a more
assertive BCCI, which wants to run IPL.

92. AMARTYA SEN,76
Economist

Why
India’s best known intellectual comes down the list because although
his book on the philosophical underpinnings of justice was a great
work of scholarship, it has been some time a Sen idea has caught the
imagination in public policy discourse. But of course, the corpus of
his ideas and the fact that an intervention by him will get instant
and wide attention keeps him in the power list.

Power punch
He critiqued the CPM for what he called its “blind anti-Americanism”.

What next
He’s keen to work out viable ways to provide quality primary education
in India. That’s the primary focus of his India visits.

93. SOLI SORABJEE,79
Legal expert

Why
The former attorney-general is respected as much for his jurisprudence
(he is the architect of the court’s pronouncements on Article 356), as
he is for being an outstanding member of the Bar. He slides down our
list as the 79-year-old has slowed down on the daily run of Supreme
Court litigation with age. But this lawyer can hold his own among the
current generation and still has the clout to be on any power list.

Power punch
His presence in the court in favour of jailed Chhattisgarh doctor
Binayak Sen resulted in instant bail— something that he was denied for
two years.

What next
The multi-faceted Soli is perhaps the only senior lawyer best placed
to explain the law and judiciary to a younger generation of citizens.
But the demands of litigation might make book tours, articles and
teaching difficult.

94. JAGGI VASUDEV, 52
Spiritual guru

Why
He had a relatively quiet year, slipping down a few notches on our
list. He is one of the new generation sadhus who doesn’t carry the
baggage of religion. His non-religious, not-for-profit, public service
organisation’s work in afforestation is commendable. It has been
successful in planting hundreds of thousands of saplings so far.

Power punch
Initiated by Isha Foundation, Project GreenHands, which aims to plant
a total of 114 million saplings, remains the biggest such organised
effort in India.

What next
His foundation plans to start a computer-based education initiative to
be established in 206 village schools in rural southern India by
2014.

95. PRIYANKA CHOPRA, 27
Actor

Why
She makes it to this year’s list thanks to the success of Fashion,
Dostana and Kaminey. Though her last film Pyaar Impossible flopped, it
hasn’t affected her popularity. According to TAM AdEx that monitors
press and TV brands, Priyanka, with multiple brand endorsements to her
name, has inched out the Bachchans and Shah Rukh Khan and is rated as
the top celebrity endorser.

Power punch
She got the National Award for Fashion. Also, with 1,49,751 (and
counting) followers on Twitter, she is currently leading the Bollywood
twitter pack.

What next
She will play a con artiste with seven get-ups in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Ek
Bataa Saat. She’s also paired as Ranbir Kapoor’s romantic interest in
Anjaana Anjaani.

96. RAJNIKANTH, 60
Actor

Why
The superstar of Tamil film industry stays put in our list because his
fan following hasn’t shrunk even the tiniest bit even after the rather
average box office performance of his last film Kuselan. In an
industry obsessed with appearances, he is the only actor who refuses
to use make-up when not facing the camera.

Power punch
He hasn’t cashed in on his political quotient. But whenever he takes
up an issue, from video piracy to portrayal of film stars in the
media, the authorities take notice and act promptly. He is a recluse
who no one wants to rub the wrong way.

What next
Enthiran,the most expensive Indian film with him as an android and
Aishwarya Rai as his love interest, is an eagerly awaited Tamil film.

97. PRATHAP REDDY, 79
Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group

Why
He showed us that private medical care can be an affordable and viable
business. He makes it to the power list this year because even though
he has been in private medical care for over two decades (he set up
the first Apollo Hospital in Chennai in 1983), it is his idea of
providing healthcare at the cost of Re 1 a day that has revolutionised
healthcare.

Power punch
His vast knowledge of healthcare means he’s a part of crucial
consultative groups set up by the government. Given the UPA’s focus on
affordable healthcare, he's very much in demand.

What next
His ideas may have traction in the developed world, too. He has
business interests abroad. The West is looking for options on
affordable healthcare.

98. MONTEK SINGH AHLUWALIA, 66
Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission

Why
Plunges on the list this time, because with Pranab Mukherjee at the
helm in North Block, the Planning Commission’s wings have been
clipped. He is trying his best to make the panel an independent think-
tank.

Power punch
Though the Finance Ministry harped on returning to the path of fiscal
consolidation, he made it clear that the time wasn’t ripe to withdraw
the stimuli given to various sectors.

What next
He has asked Arun Maira, a member in the Plan panel, to prepare a
report on what the commission must be doing in the coming years.

99. BABA RAMDEV, 45
Spiritual guru

Why
The yoga guru drops sharply in our list because of the noise he made
on several issues: from claiming a cure to homosexuality to shouting
out about bringing back black money to India. But he didn’t cut ice
with middle India. His asanas, though, continue to sell.

Power punch
He filed a petition in the SC challenging the Delhi High Court
judgment decriminalising sexual relationships between two consenting
adults (of the same sex) in private.

What next
He has tried to move into politics but is yet to take the plunge.

100. SRI SRI RAVISHANKAR, 53
Spiritual guru

Why
His Sudarshan Kriya breathing technique has a global following with,
over 15,000 executives across 230 organisations practising it. In
2009, his Art of Living Foundation formed the “Parliament of World
Religions”. He was ranked 5th in Forbes India’s list of the seven most
powerful people in India in 2009.

Power punch
He met clerics from Darul Uloom in Deoband to convince them to reverse
their fatwa prohibiting Muslims to sing Vande Mataram.

What next
He is focussing on including youth in conflict resolution programs.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-most-powerful-indians-in-2010-no.-91100/575671/0

Holy Hindu Cow! What Now?...

...and I am Sid harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

India: A billion aspirations
Perspectives on South Asian politics

Forbes ‘most powerful’ list and the Indian connection
Nov 13, 2009 07:22 EST

Forbes | Lakshmi Mittal | manmohan singh | mukesh ambani | Ratan Tata
| World's Most Powerful People

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is among four Indians who share space
with U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao on
the Forbes 2009 list of the World’s Most Powerful People.

Those who dominate the list were chosen based on the number of people
they influence, their ability to project power beyond their immediate
sphere of influence and their control of financial resources.

For Singh, a self-effacing economist who led a resurgent Congress
Party to a landslide victory in the general election this year, the
accolade is a reflection of how far he has come since his name was
proposed as an obvious choice for the post of Prime Minister.

The Congress’ showing in the recent assembly elections in Maharashtra,
Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh had set the trend for its performance in
subsequent by-elections where it won 10 of the 31 seats contested.

The message was clear. Independent of the shackles of its communist
allies, the party led by Singh (placed 36th on the Forbes list) is now
free to aggressively push much-needed reforms.

Under Singh, the Indian economy grew at the rate of 6.7 percent in
2008/09 despite inadequate monsoons and a global slowdown.

Singh assured investors at the World Economic Forum of a seven percent
growth next year and a medium term objective of achieving a growth
rate of 9 percent per annum as the economic downturn shows signs of
reversing.

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani is placed 44th on the Forbes list followed
by steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal at 55th and Tata Group chairman Ratan
Tata at the 59th spots.

With a net worth pegged at $19.5 billion by Forbes magazine earlier
this year, Ambani is thought to be Asia’s richest man.

Forbes says the “ranking is intended to be the beginning of a
conversation, not the final word,” but interestingly, some of the
names on its power list have strong India connections in their own
unusual ways.

Dawood Ibrahim, wanted in connection with the 1993 Mumbai serial
blasts, ranks 50th on the list and is described as “boss of Mumbai-
based organised crime syndicate D-Company.”

Tibetan spiritual leader in exile and Nobel laureate the Dalai Lama
(39) fled Tibet to India in 1959 after an abortive uprising against
Chinese rule.

Powerful and influential Indians have often made the Forbes lists.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has appeared on its 100 most powerful
women’s list.

From autocrats to multi-billionaires, Forbes judges power based on its
own varied criteria. It throws open the question of who has missed its
list and deserved to be there.

Is a militant more powerful than the Pope?

But does the common man care beyond his three daily meals?
How much bearing does it have on their lives?

Nov 13, 2009 7:09 pm EST

Well, at the very least there are 2 Indians in the Top 10 of Global
Billionaires. They should be greatful to M. Singh’s reforms that
allowed them to pursue their riches.Its still a pity that despite
Mumbai also being a billionaire city we are going to be slow at
eradicating poverty in India. Such as shame that the govt has to spend
more in defending our borders.

Posted by bulletfish
Nov 16, 2009 3:36 pm EST

Indian population is still growing and shall surpass that of China in
6 to 8 years’ time, whilst China is stuck with 1.3 billion people for
the past 10 years. So it is not surprising Indian PM shall be the most
powerful man in terms of the number of people he influences over the
next decade.

Posted by Joyce
Nov 16, 2009 5:24 pm EST

Am a bit surprised Sonia Gandhi is not on the list. And why have a
separate ‘most powerful women’ list anyway?

Posted by Toe Knee
Nov 17, 2009 10:23 am EST

well Sonia Gandhi is not in the list, and they were forced to have a
separate list of “most powerful women” because that was the only way
to get her to 100th in the list, by the way there are only 30 ladies
in the list.

Posted by naren
Nov 18, 2009 6:35 pm EST

The real surprise was definitely Dawood in that list. Especially ahead
Ratan Tata and Mittal. The Mumbai underworld has layed low for the
past few years. The impact and power has definitely reduced from a few
years back.Was Dawood there in any previous list? Coz he is probably
at his least powerful position now, atleast taking the last 5-10 years
into account.

Posted by Alan
Nov 18, 2009 10:00 pm EST

Clear victory of congress in the last general election is a welcome
surprise, in case you believed the psephologist, but it can barely be
called a landslide. Mr Singh certainly deserves the credit for the
running a smooth government against all challenges, without tireless
campaign of Sonia and Rahul not sure he could alone lead the party to
a majority. Manmohan sticks to his domain expertise (and excels) and
may be thats why he is still behind so many leaders in this list in
spite of being PM of second most populous country with second fastest
GDP growth rate among big countries.Is he more infulential than Osama
Bin Laden ?Forbes ‘most powerful’ list has a few surprises. Mr
Berlusconi’s position in number 12 can be debated. Granted his country
houses Ferrari and Lamborgini, but he has been in news for all the
wrong reasons. Is he more powerful than Angela Merkel or Warren
Buffet ?Kim Jong Il is in 24th position. Is Gaddafi losing power as he
became more benevolent dictator ?

Posted by Rex
Nov 19, 2009 6:23 pm EST

Rituparna,You are right in stating that the common man is not
concerned whether there are 2 or more billionaires in Forbes list , he
is more concerned in getting his 3 square meals and security to his
life and property. In India, whether we achieve 6% growth, or more,
children are still begging on the street, illegal employment of
children in India is rampant, this is national shame . The presence of
so many criminals as politicians and bureaucrats in New delhi, has
already made delhi as a crime capital of the country, of late the
crime is affecting the common man. Successive govts in India have
failed to solve various issues concerning common man , as such for him
it is not at all important whether Mukesh Ambani or anybody else or
the great PM ,Man Mohan Singh now find place in the most powerful
people of the world.

Posted by Manish

Nov 20, 200912:39 pm EST

After this result we should not speak India is a poor country because
we have so many billionaire in our country.There is problem with our
country a person who is poor is becoming more poorer and richer become
more richer. There is inequality between person to person. We can
remove poverty from our country very easily but one should step
forward for this and a common can’t do this we can expect from these
listed billionaires only.

Posted by Priya

Nov 21, 2009 12:52 am EST

India has its fair share of enterprising, self-made entrepreneurs and
astute well-meaning politicians, some of whom are billionaires in
their own right. Most of them have blazed a trail and continue to show
amazing talents. In a country with widespread disparity between the
rich and the poor, these individuals have become role models with so
much to offer in terms of experience, wealth and benevolence. India is
growing from strength to strength but the very poor need to evolve as
well.

Posted by Pancha Chandra

http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2009/11/13/forbes-most-powerful-list-and-the-indian-connection/

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

Special Report

The World's Most Powerful People
Michael Noer and Nicole Perlroth, 11.11.09, 06:00 PM EST

The 67 heads of state, criminals, financiers and philanthropists who
really run the world.

"I love power. But it is as an artist that I love it. I love it as a
musician loves his violin, to draw out its sounds and chords and
harmonies." --Napoleon Bonaparte

Power has been called many things. The ultimate aphrodisiac. An
absolute corrupter. A mistress. A violin. But its true nature remains
elusive. After all, a head of state wields a very different sort of
power than a religious figure. Can one really compare the influence of
a journalist to that of a terrorist? And is power unexercised power at
all?

In compiling our first ranking of the World's Most Powerful People we
wrestled with these questions--and many more--before deciding to
define power in four dimensions. First, we asked, does the person have
influence over lots of other people? Pope Benedict XVI, ranked 11th on
our list, is the spiritual leader of more than a billion souls, or
about one-sixth of the world's population, while Wal-Mart ( WMT - news
- people ) CEO Mike Duke (No. 8) is the largest private-sector
employer in the United States.

In Pictures: The World's Most Powerful People

Then we assessed the financial resources controlled by these
individuals. Are they relatively large compared with their peers? For
heads of state we used GDP, while for CEOs, we looked at a composite
ranking of market capitalization, profits, assets and revenues as
reflected on our annual ranking of the World's 2000 Largest Companies.
In certain instances, like New York Times Executive Editor Bill Keller
(No. 51), we judged the resources at his disposal compared with others
in the industry. For billionaires, like Bill Gates (No. 10), net worth
was also a factor.

Next we determined if they are powerful in multiple spheres. There are
only 67 slots on our list--one for every 100 million people on the
planet--so being powerful in just one area is not enough to guarantee
a spot. Our picks project their influence in myriad ways. Take Italy's
colorful prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi (No. 12) who is a
politician, a media monopolist and owner of soccer powerhouse A.C.
Milan, or Oprah Winfrey (No. 45) who can manufacture a best-seller and
an American President.

The World's Most Powerful People

Reader Comments

President Obama,s No 1 position in the world is not a surprise to
anyone who has truth in him/herself.I'm very glad to see Hilary
Clinton there.Where is Sarah Palin of the Republican women? No where

Read All Comments (18)Post a CommentLastly, we insisted that our
choices actively use their power. Ingvar Kamprad, the 83-year-old
entrepreneur behind Ikea and the richest man in Europe, was an early
candidate for this list, but was excluded because he doesn't exercise
his power. On the other hand, Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin (No. 3)
scored points because he likes to throw his weight around by jailing
oligarchs, invading neighboring countries and periodically cutting off
Western Europe's supply of natural gas.

To calculate the final rankings, five Forbes senior editors ranked all
of our candidates in each of these four dimensions of power. Those
individual rankings were averaged into a composite score, which
determined who placed above (or below) whom.

U.S. President Barack Obama emerged, unanimously, as the world's most
powerful person, and by a wide margin. But there were a number of
surprises. Former President George W. Bush didn't come close to making
the final cut, while his predecessor in the Oval Office, Bill Clinton,
ranks 31st, ahead of a number of sitting heads of government. Apple's
( AAPL - news - people ) Steve Jobs easily made the list, while Arnold
Schwarzenegger, the movie star governor of California (which alone has
an economy larger than Canada's) did not.

This ranking is intended to be the beginning of a conversation, not
the final word. Is the Dalai Lama (No. 39) really more powerful than
the president of France (No. 56)? Do despicable criminals like
billionaire Mexican drug lord Joaquín Guzmán (No. 41) belong on this
list at all? Who did we overlook? What did we get wrong? Join the
conversation by commenting now.

1--Barack Obama
2--Hu Jintao
3--Vladimir Putin
4--Ben S. Bernanke
5--Sergey Brin and Larry Page
6--Carlos Slim Helu
7--Rupert Murdoch
8--Michael T. Duke
9--Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al Saud
10--William Gates III
11--Pope Benedict XVI
12--Silvio Berlusconi
13--Jeffrey R. Immelt
14--Warren Buffett
15--Angela Merkel
16--Laurence D. Fink
17--Hillary Clinton
18--Lloyd C. Blankfein
19--Li Changchun
20--Michael Bloomberg
21--Timothy Geithner
22--Rex W. Tillerson
23--Li Ka-shing
24--Kim Jong Il
25--Jean-Claude Trichet
26--Masaaki Shirakawa
27--Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed al Nahyan
28--Akio Toyoda
29--Gordon Brown
30--James S. Dimon
31--Bill Clinton
32--William H. Gross
33--Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
34--Lou Jiwei
35--Yukio Hatoyama
36--Manmohan Singh
37--Osama bin Laden
38--Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani
39--Tenzin Gyatso
40--Ali Hoseini-Khamenei
41--Joaquin Guzman
42--Igor Sechin
43--Dmitry Medvedev
44--Mukesh Ambani
45--Oprah Winfrey
46--Benjamin Netanyahu
47--Dominique Strauss-Kahn
48--Zhou Xiaochuan
49--John Roberts Jr.
50--Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar
51--William Keller
52--Bernard Arnault
53--Joseph S. Blatter
54--Wadah Khanfar
55--Lakshmi Mittal
56--Nicolas Sarkozy
57--Steve Jobs
58--Fujio Mitarai
60--Ratan Tata
61--Jacques Rogge
62--Li Rongrong
63--Blairo Maggi
64--Robert B. Zoellick
65--Antonio Guterres
66--Mark John Thompson
67--Klaus Schwab
68--Hugo Chavez

With the world's population nearing seven billion, experts pick seven
in their field who matter most.

Philanthropists
Eli Broad

Warriors
Wesley Clark

Liberals
Howard Dean

Conservatives
Karl Rove

Hollywood
Harvey Weinstein

Energy
T. Boone Pickens

Finance
Meredith Whitney

History
Henry Kissinger

Technology
Kevin Rose

Imperialists
Paul Maidment

Russia
Maxim Kashulinsky

India
Indrajit Gupta

Thinkers
Shirley M. Tilghman

China
Hu Shuli

Teachers
Deepak Chopra

Media
Katie Couric

Criminals
Interpol

Sports
Lance Armstrong

Medicine
Elias Zerhouni

Most Powerful

Reader Picks

Innovators: A Special Feature
Michael Cima

India's Most Wanted
Misha Glenny, 11.13.09, 10:40 AM EST
The boss of Mumbai-based organized crime syndicate D-Company is a real-
life Bond villain.

It has been over half a decade since the last reliable public sighting
of Dawood Ibrahim, the closest we have in the world to a real-life
Ernst Blofeld, James Bond's fictional nemesis. But despite this
vanishing act, Mr. Ibrahim's myriad commercial enterprises continue to
flourish. It is a testament both to his business acumen and the
loyalty he generates that he still controls the largest criminal
operation in India, despite having not set foot there a quarter of a
century.

Ibrahim, a Muslim raised in Bombay, was forced to flee his hometown on
murder charges in 1984. He spent the next the two decades living the
high life in Dubai. But in 2003, the dramatic assassination of one of
his associates in the lobby of Dubai's swanky India Club proved the
last straw for Emirati authorities. Already under international
pressure to do something about a top criminal with links to terrorism,
Dubai discreetly suggested to Mr. Ibrahim that it was time to end his
luxury exile in the Gulf.

And since then, nothing. Ibrahim was not even spotted when Dubai's
Hyatt hotel hosted the reception for his daughter's marriage to the
son of Javed Miandan, the legendary former captain of the Pakistani
national cricket team. This was the celebrity event of the decade for
high society from all around the Arabian Sea. But despite dozens of
paparazzi, covert journalists and a coachload of international
intelligence agents, Ibrahim was nowhere to be seen (in fact, he
watched the event via a video-conferencing facility).

His reluctance to appear in public is explained less by his criminal
activities and more by complex judicial and geo-political
circumstances. Good relations with the U.S. and India were a crucial
part of Dubai's efforts to transform itself into the new regional
financial hub. And while the Emirate refused to go so far as to hand
over Ibrahim to either Delhi or Washington, his presence threatened
its ballooning business ties with India and its political friendship
with the U.S.

Ibrahim's forced departure from the Emirates did not, however, impinge
on his ability to do business. His organization, the D-Company, still
controls vast swathes of Mumbai's underworld from its headquarters in
the central district of Dongri. Its influence stretches north through
Gujurat and into Delhi, and covers large swathes of Nepal, Bangladesh,
Pakistan and beyond.

The CBI (India's special police force) and the RAW (the country's
intelligence agency) frequently stumble across major industries that
are backed by Ibrahim: his traditional organized criminal sectors such
as the smuggling of drugs and arms, the more recent manufacture of
counterfeit currency in India, Nepal and Bangladesh, and in legitimate
businesses like construction and financing Bollywood movies.

The World's Most Powerful People

History
Finance
Energy
Hollywood
Conservatives
Liberals
Warriors
Philanthropists

Featured One In A Billion Rate This Story

Although unseen, Ibrahim's whereabouts are no great mystery. If you
ask a Karachi taxi driver to show you the highlights of his city, he
will happily drive you past "the White House" in the fashionable
district of Clifton, where "the Don of Bombay" lives. In its latest
Most Wanted posting on Ibrahim, Interpol even gave this as his
address.

Unsurprisingly, Interpol's notice provoked outrage from Pakistani
authorities, who vehemently deny that they host the man once described
as the most dangerous in the world. Ibrahim is a major player in the
criminal-terrorist business network that has deep roots in Pakistan,
but despite his financial clout and D-Company's long reach, he is
personally dependent on the goodwill of Pakistan's government. There
are few other countries in the world where he would be safe.

Even here, things have recently proved increasingly difficult for the
Bombay Don, and he has had to abandon The White House in Karachi. The
U.S.'s influence in Pakistan has increased steadily in the past five
years, and agents of India's RAW swarm all over the country. Roughly
18 months ago, the Pakistani government moved him first to the
turbulent province of Baluchistan, and then allowed him to settle in
the Blue District of the capital, Islamabad. As a precautionary
measure, Ibrahim has toned down his direct involvement in overtly
criminal enterprises such as the transit of heroin: Drugs, arms
trafficking and the production of counterfeit money invariably attract
greater interest from U.S. security agencies.

By contrast, Ibrahim's businesses in the legitimate world are
flourishing, helped chiefly by a continuing boom in parts of India's
construction industry, where he holds significant interests through a
series of front men and front companies. Several of the vast shopping
malls and multiplex cinemas that follow Indian boom towns have been
financed and built by businesses with covert links to D-Company,
according to Indian and foreign intelligence services. Ibrahim's role
in financing Bollywood movies, a particular passion of his second-in-
command, Chota Shakheel, has also been ramped up in recent years.

Dawood Ibrahim was born in 1955 and brought up in Dongri, a dirt poor
area of Central Bombay with a large but not exclusively Muslim
population. His father was a police inspector, but this didn't deter
young Ibrahim from becoming involved in petty street crime. With his
friends and brothers, he would go down to the bustling Crawford Market
and scam gullible bargain hunters. "His first trick was to offer a
customer an expensive foreign watch," recalled a member of his
youthful gang. "After taking the money, he would vanish, while the
customer would be discovering that Dawood had switched the watch for a
stone or some such worthless object during the wrapping."

A natural leader, by his late teens Ibrahim had created D-Company. He
was charged with murder as a result of his audacious bid to destroy
the near monopoly enjoyed in the underworld by the competing Lala
clan. D-Company emerged victorious after an intense period of blood-
letting, but Ibrahim was forced to flee his beloved Bombay, and by all
accounts he has never overcome his melancholy at leaving.

Yet his affection for Bombay did not prevent Ibrahim from becoming
involved in a terrorist attack that struck the city in March 1993.
Indian authorities say Ibrahim used his network to smuggle a huge
amount of explosives and other weapons into the city for a series of
deadly bomb and grenade attacks, which resulted in 257 deaths and
almost 1,500 injured. According to Indian authorities, Ibrahim agreed
to participate in retaliation for a series of anti-Muslim riots and
atrocities in Bombay and other parts of the country.

The bombings led to the splintering of not just D-Company, but most of
the Bombay underworld. Chota Rajan, previously Ibrahim's key
lieutenant, entered into a deadly feud with his former boss. But so
stretched are law enforcement resources in India and so propitious the
economic boom for underground activities, that all the major gangs in
Bombay, Delhi and elsewhere continue to expand at a breathtaking rate.

Today, Ibrahim's empire stretches across South Asia into Africa, and
it has outlets in several European capitals. In many respects, his
business interests differ little today from those of the great
oligarchs of Russia, South Africa, China and India. The origins of the
business, however, lie explicitly in large-scale transnational
criminal activities.

Meanwhile, there's no end in sight to Ibrahim's exile. He may once
have had the opportunity to negotiate a deal with the Indian
authorities, and even engaged in backdoor talks about possible
amnesty. But his involvement in the Bombay bombings and his support
for Pakistani-based militant groups closed that door.

For now, Ibrahim must remain in hiding--and the D-Company is likely to
remain one of the world's most impressive business and commercial
networks.

Misha Glenny is the author of McMafia: A Journey Through the Global
Criminal Underworld, published by Vintage.

http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/11/worlds-most-powerful-leadership-power-09-people_land.html

[Sid Harth]

PROFILE
India's Baba Ramdev is guru, TV star and source of controversy

By Rama Lakshmi
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 24, 2009

HARIDWAR, INDIA -- At the crack of dawn, 4,000 people sitting on yoga
mats silently watched the renowned guru Baba Ramdev on stage. After
his introduction as the one who will dispel the darkness of ignorance,
the orange-robed Ramdev chanted "Om" into a microphone. The audience
followed with a reverential hum.

PROFILE: A guru with huge ratings
Baba Ramdev

"Eat this every morning to prevent cancer," he said, holding up four
holy basil leaves.

"No blood pressure and asthma problem if you do this daily. Be free
from medicines!" he exclaimed after performing a few yoga postures and
demonstrating six breathing techniques. The crowd cheered.

Ramdev's daily two-hour session has been the most-watched show in
India since 2003, drawing an average of 26 million viewers and beating
news programs, soap operas, movies and reality shows. Thousands of
people travel to the New Age tele-guru's ashram every day to catch a
glimpse of him or to touch his feet.

His mission is to promote yoga and rid people of their dependence on
expensive modern medicines. Through controlled breathing, he says,
people can increase their intake of oxygen 10 times, making their
bodies "pure as fire" and immune to illnesses.

But his concerns include both the body and the body politic.

"Yoga is my battle against untruth, injustice and sin. I want to clean
the nation of its corrupt and poisonous ways," Ramdev said in an
interview at his four-acre ashram, called Patanjali Yogpeeth.

The center, in northern India, includes a yoga school, a hospital, and
a factory that manufactures herbal medicine based on ancient Indian
texts. Now, he wants to create a cadre of about 600,000 people who
will abide by his austere ways, remain unmarried and teach yoga in
every village in India. "It will be the biggest platform to unite
Indians and restore national pride," he said.

Ramdev was born into a family of farmers. He is a vegetarian, ties his
long hair in a bun, wears wooden footwear, does not take pills and
sleeps on the floor. But an armed bodyguard accompanies him
everywhere, a sign of VIP status in India. He hobnobs with
politicians, businessmen and Bollywood stars. And he expresses his
opinion on almost everything.

He likens homosexuality to drug addiction and claims yoga can "cure"
it. He calls Pepsi and Coke "toilet cleaners." He supports throwing
foreign companies out of India. He says that Western civilization is
going downhill and that India will rule the world with yoga.

The clamor around Ramdev represents Indians' endless search for gurus
and holy men they can revere, finding an escape from worldly tensions
and pains. His diatribes against corruption, multinational companies,
changing lifestyles and urban stress resonate with the social
anxieties accompanying the awkward but rapid transition of an ancient
land into a 21st-century economic powerhouse.

"What Baba Ramdev preaches is simple: If you control your body, you
can control the world," said Shiv Viswanathan, a social anthropologist
with the Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication
Technology in Ahmedabad. "His message is 'Breathe well, eat well and
live well,' whether you have a digestive block or an impending
divorce."

Ramdev is not without critics. The Indian medical community, in
particular, does not approve of him. When the swine flu panic gripped
India this year, Ramdev said yoga and breathing exercises could
prevent infection.

"Under Indian law, nobody can make tall claims about curing diseases.
Yoga is good, but Ramdev should not say he can cure this and that,"
said Anil Bansal, the joint secretary of the Indian Medical
Association. "But he is a very powerful man, and many politicians are
his followers. Nobody can say anything against him."

During his daily television performances, he pontificates on
terrorism, water contamination, colonialism, tax laws, black money and
cow protection, while instructing people to raise their legs, tie
their hands behind their backs and breathe deep.

He even launched a political manifesto this year.

"I will not fight elections, but I will endorse and offer good, honest
candidates to political parties," he said.

In response to a recent ban on yoga by Islamic clerics in Malaysia,
Ramdev told Muslims that they can do the exercises chanting Allah's
name instead of "Om." He demonstrated health benefits of breathing
techniques and yoga postures at a gathering of 500,000 Muslims last
month at one of India's oldest Islamic seminaries.

He has held public meetings in Washington, Chicago and Los Angeles and
runs 15 yoga and herbal medicine centers in the United States. A
gleaming ashram is under construction in Houston. In September, his
followers bought him a remote Scottish island called Little Cumbrae,
near Glasgow, to set up a center for yoga.

Sampoornam Palaniswamy, 59, is overweight and has knee pain. She
cannot understand Hindi, the language that Ramdev speaks. But she
watches him on television and traveled from southern India to the
ashram in the north.

"He teaches very simple exercises aimed at specific ailments. It is
easy to follow and is not time-consuming," she said.

Another patient came from Britain.

"I want to learn the correct breathing exercises for diabetes," said
Eric Ross, 64, a management consultant from Manchester. "I have
escaped from the medical mafia at home."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/23/AR2009122302978.html

Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev and Weight Loss Controversy

Subodh Gupta, Corporate yoga trainer based in London has challenged
Baba Ramdev for giving misleading statement or remaining silent on
misleading news regarding weight loss achieved through his yoga.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PR Log (Press Release) – Aug 04, 2007 – London 2th August:

Whenever any media statement does not goes in favour of famous Yoga
Guru Swami Ramdev Ji, he quickly strike back at media saying that
media is misinterpreting him (as he claimed has happened in reference
to Shri Mahatma Gandhi Ji), however he himself has been making
misleading statement or remain silent on misleading news which serve
his interest.

Recently Swami Ramdev Ji organised yoga camps in US (July 2007) and UK
(July 2007).

According to news published on Rediff News on 17th July with title
'Yoga has nothing to do with religion. It is not Hinduism' Raj Kumar
says “I lost 6 kg after attending two sessions of yoga with Baba
Ramdev in New Jersey last week”.

Another news published on NEWSPOST India 1st July 2007 title “Ramdev's
Yoga Brand Launched In America” says people lose weight up to 5 pound
of weight just after one session and Swami Ji maintains that effect of
yoga are demonstrable and immediate.

Subodh Gupta, Corporate yoga trainer based in London has challenged
Baba Ramdev for giving misleading statement or remaining silent on
misleading news regarding weight loss achieved through his yoga.

According to Subodh, It is impossible that anybody can lose 5 pound
body fat just after one yoga session or 6 kg body weight
(approximately 13 pound) with in 2 yoga session.

Mr Subodh Gupta who had worked in the field of Yoga and Weight loss
for many years said “with due respect I personally challenge Swami
Ramdev Ji knowledge on weight loss to the extent that I would abandon
my whole profession of Yoga practice forever and would become his
blind follower if Swami Ramdev can test this on him and he is ready to
volunteer himself for Swami Ramdev one yoga session”.

Subodh Gupta further explained that why people cannot lose 5 pound
weight by attending 1 yoga session of respected Swami Ramdev ji.

“We lose weight when we burn more calories than we eat. One pound of
body fat equal to approximately 3500 calories. So if you have a
calorie deficit of 3500 calories you would lose approximately one
pound.

Now for loosing 5 pound weight (as maintains by respected Swami Ji in
one yoga session) means that you need deficit of approximately 5 x
3500 = 17500 calories.

A yoga session normally can lose maximum up to 250 calories in one
session. How can somebody lose 17500 calories in one session of Swami
Ramdev ji???”

He explained further : “If you eat higher quantity of salt in your
food, then there is tendency of body to retain water in our body and
any little weight loss if at all experience in your yoga session, it
is purely water loss and not the fat loss but Swami ji never explained
this to people”.

“Another reason body weight also fluctuates over the period of day.
Your weight in the morning when you wake up would be different than
that after few hours. Weight may reduce naturally and not because of
yoga session and you can check it for yourself”. Hope Swami Ramdev ji
would reply to this.

Subodh said, “No doubt regular practice of yoga along with healthy
food helps in balancing the body weight over a period of time, but
never in one yoga session 5 pound weight loss and it is matter of
shame that respected Swami Ramdev Ji needs to use misleading news
about weight loss to attract western audience in his yoga camp as
weight loss program are big business in western countries”.

Issued in public interest by Subodh Gupta Corporate Yoga Trainer based
in London.

http://www.prlog.org/10026039-yoga-guru-swami-ramdev-and-weight-loss-controversy.html

[bademiyansubhanallah]

Shadow cabinets and consensus

It is time for reponsible postures on policy
Business Standard / New Delhi February 07, 2010, 0:40 IST

Bharatiya Janata Party president Nitin Gadkari’s initiative to create
an organisational framework for reflecting on policy matters,
involving chief ministers of party run state governments, is a good
idea. India’s opposition political parties have for long lived the
life of Dr Jekyll, while in government, and Mr Hyde, while in
opposition. As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh once famously commented
on political doublespeak: don’t judge politicians by what they say
when in opposition, but by what they do when in government! To an
extent it is understandable that an opposition political party needs a
slogan to campaign against the government to turn the tide of public
opinion towards itself and against the ruling political party.
However, with governments increasingly having revolving doors it is
not always easy to figure out who is in opposition and who is in
office. The statements of Congress party spokespersons on policy
issues often give the impression that they are in opposition, rather
than a ruling, political party!

Be that as it may, the time has come for some element of responsible
posturing on policy by all political parties that consider themselves
as potential government forming parties, either at the centre or in
the states. As a national party, and that too a party of government,
the BJP can ill-afford the hypocrisy of the Left Front parties that
have over the years done one thing sitting in office in Kolkata and
said another, at the same time, sitting in opposition in New Delhi.
The only honourable exception to this used to be West Bengal chief
minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya, in his early days in office, when he
opted for a cooperative stance on the fight against extremism and
terrorism even with a BJP home minister like Mr L K Advani.

On many governance issues governments at the centre and in the states
have to work together. With different political parties in power in
the centre and the states, it is often the case that ruling and
opposition parties will have to work together on policy initiatives.
Mr Gadkari's initiative to create a development forum that would
enable the party’s national leadership to interact with and guide its’
state units and governments should be the first step to the creation
of a shadow union cabinet that would enable the party's top leaders to
think about concrete policy options and articulate them in a
consistent manner. This would not only encourage greater
responsibility among opposition politicians, who would be required to
offer alternative proposals whenever they criticise the government,
but would also impart en element of predictability and stability to
policy and policymaking. The BJP could also benefit from the creation
of a shadow cabinet since it would help the party project itself once
again as a party of government, and not as the permanent opposition!
This idea may flounder on the issue of who will be named shadow PM!
For the time being the BJP could work with a national development
council of its own, that would include party CMs and key national
leaders, and focus more purposefully on important national and state
level policy issues.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/shadow-cabinetsconsensus/384817/

'We are still a party with a difference'

Q&A: Nitin Gadkari, BJP President
Sanjay Jog / Mumbai January 03, 2010, 0:44 IST

I would like to discourage sycophancy in every way, new Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Gadkari tells SANJAY JOG

The BJP is passing through a difficult phase with two successive
defeats in Lok Sabha elections. What’s the future of the party?

I do not have the slightest doubt about the BJP’s future. It is bright
and we will try to make it brighter. Electoral defeats are part of the
game and every party has to take these reverses in its stride. Even
the Congress had faced two consecutive defeats. My conviction is: We
shall overcome.

The party recently saw many ups and downs. A veteran leader, Jaswant
Singh, was expelled for his book on Jinnah, while there has been
groupism and largescale rebellion in the party. How are you going to
put the party on track while addressing these issues?

Happily for me, all our leaders are aware of the challenges and
everybody in the party has supported my resolve to bring discipline
and strengthen mutual trust and respect. I have also appealed to
everyone in the party to shun the practice of rushing to the media or
speaking ‘off-the-record’. I believe things will improve, slowly but
certainly.

The BJP has lost its identity as a ‘party with a difference’ due to
these developments. What do you plan to do to regain the party’s lost
glory?

Let me underscore that we are still a party with a difference.
Although there are things that have crept into our culture which we
need to do away with as fast as possible, the BJP has no parallel on
several counts. Out of more than 1,000 political parties registered
with the Election Commission, the BJP is the only serious national
party that is not run on the basis of family rule. We are a genuinely
democratic party and therefore our problems are bound to be different.
Galvanising the party structure, enforcing discipline, cultivating
mutual trust and evolving an internal performance audit mechanism are
my priorities.

It seems there has been a rapid Congressisation of the BJP considering
the tendency to use party discipline to check individual interest.
What’s your message to the party cadre?

We are different from other parties in several ways. A grassroot
worker like me who used to paint walls and put up posters during
elections can become the party’s national president. For that you do
not have to take birth in a particular family. First and foremost, I
would like to discourage sycophancy. I have asked the party rank and
file to touch the feet of only those who are elder to them and for
whom they have genuine respect. I have also asked cadres to take up at
least one development project.

Your appointment comes at a time when the era of party veterans like
Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi is over. The
Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) has played a key role in your
appointment. There is also criticism that RSS’ interference in the BJP
has increased. Former MP Kharbala Swain has even left the party over
this.

Although I am relatively junior to many, seniors have blessed me and
extended their support. Let me make it clear that my name was proposed
by Advaniji and Rajnathji and later by others. The RSS has never
interfered. Its role is limited to giving us guidance when we approach
it. I am talking to those who are disillusioned with the party and
finding solutions.

Recently, severe differences have surfaced in the RSS family. Is
coordination among the members of the parivar possible?

Most certainly. I will try and make deep inroads into the minds of all
the members of our ideological movement and build new bridges with the
help of dialogue.

A section of the party feels that you lack mass appeal as you have
never been elected directly. How confident are you about fulfilling
your new responsibility?
I am hundred and one per cent confident.

Has Ram and Hindutva lost their importance? How will you revive the
BJP to make it a pan-Indian party? In the wake of the Liberhan
Commission report, what’s your view on the reconstruction of the Ram
temple at Ayodhya?

Hindutva and Ram temple continue to be part of our conviction and
therefore our agenda. The party has a new president but that need not
mean that our convictions will undergo any basic change. The BJP is
already a pan-Indian party. We are ruling in nine states. We are the
main opposition party in three states. We have active units even in
the North-East.

The BJP was always at the forefront of the movement against
criminalisation of politics. How can you justify your party’s move to
support Shibu Soren in Jharkhand?

We continue to be against criminalisation of politics. It was the
Congress that made the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) members fall in a
trap. By joining hands with the JMM, we have prevented the Congress
from backseat driving through the President’s rule.

The BJP has been a strong proponent of smaller states. What are your
views on Telangana, Vidarbha and the demand for new states?

Our positions on both these issues are known to all. We would like the
UPA government to follow what the NDA did while creating three new
states in 2000.

What do you plan to do to revive the NDA and bring back the BJP’s
former allies?

This is high on our agenda. With the JMM, we have now added to our
allies. We will do everything to strengthen the NDA.

Currently, relations between the BJP and the Shiv Sena are not so
cordial. Is the BJP in a mood to dump the Sena and become cosy with
the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena ahead of the next general elections?
Our relations continue to be cordial. I met Balasaheb recently and he
gave me his blessings and support. About the Maharashtra Navnirman
Sena, it has fought elections against us and so there is no question
of joining hands with it.

You and the newly-appointed deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Gopinath
Munde, are engaged in one upmanship. Does it affect your party's
position in Maharashtra?

There is absolutely no question of one-upmanship. We are working in
Maharashtra in a united manner.

Are you going to resign from the Maharashtra Legislative Council? Do
you have any plans to get yourself elected to the Rajya Sabha?

I will take a decision on my membership of the legislative council in
due course. I have decided not to contest for the Rajya Sabha as that
will give me the moral authority to ask others not to hanker for
elective positions.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news//westillpartya-difference//381479/

RSS call to see US 'design'

R Krishna Das / Kolkata/ Raipur January 21, 2010, 0:54 IST

Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Mohan Bhagwat
today said that India should not hold any illusion that America could
control Pakistan in checking insurgency in the country. “America
preaches for India while it is powering Pakistan to fulfill its design
of a showdown with China and impose its agenda (in South Asia),”
Bhagwat said while addressing a mammoth gathering of RSS volunteers
here this evening.

The RSS chief said America cannot control Pakistan as it wanted to
take on China through Kashmir, where the neighbouring country had been
flaring up insurgency.

Bhagwat said that Bangladesh was plotting a plan to extend its
territory and capture vast land in Assam. “The vision document of
Bangladesh speaks that the country lacks fertile land and hence it has
to extend its boundary to Assam,” he added.

Talking on economic issues, he said that the welfare of the person
standing in the last row of the society should be created as the
parameter for development. “The soaring stock market should not be the
criteria to judge the economic growth in the country,” he added.

Referring to the industrial policy, the RSS chief said that 60 per
cent farmers in the country were small and hence the government should
consider protecting their interests while formulating the industrial
policy.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/rss-call-to-see-us-/design//383166/

...AND i AM sID hARTH

[chhotemianinshallah]

South African lender faces lawsuits on Mittal deal
STAFF WRITER 16:8 HRS IST

Johannesburg, Feb 7 (PTI) South Africa's Industrial Development
Corporation, a government-owned lender, is facing lawsuits worth 7.5
billion rand (over USD 697 million) in connection with a deal that saw
Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal acquiring a steel firm Iscor here,
media report says.

According to a South African online news service provider Fin24.com,
Industrial Development Corp (IDC) is facing two lawsuits from a
Johannesburg businessman, Joe Modibane, who is demanding 7.2 billion
rand and 277 million rand from the lender.

Modibane has sued IDC for 7.2 billion rand for allegedly reneging on a
deal to sell him 35.3 million shares it held in steel producer Iscor
in 2002.

In an interview last week, Modibane had said that he was shocked to
learn that the Iscor shares, which were initially earmarked for black
investors, were sold to the global steelmaker LNM Holdings, a company
founded by Mittal.

http://www.ptinews.com/news/505434_South-African-lender-faces-lawsuits-on-Mittal-deal