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| NARESH GOYAL, 60, Businessman |
Try Flier
Because he is trying to weather the storm in aviation by transitioning from the traditional orthodox revenue model to an innovative one—wet-leasing his aircraft to other international airlines.
Because his airline still leads the pack with a market share of over 25 per cent and more than eight lakh passengers are on board across 400 flights each day.
Embarrassing moment Fired 1,900 of his staff, then took them back amidst tears, calling them his ‘family’.
Looming air pocket Nearly 30 percent of an airline’s operational costs are pegged against the dollar.
Laughter therapy “CEOs are handsome, entrepreneurs are ugly”.
Big achievement Jet is cutting costs in the back-end without compromising on its renowned in-flight service.
39.
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| MAHENDRA MOHAN & SANJAY GUPTA, 69 and 46, Media Barons |
Leaders of the Pack
Because 21 million people read Dainik Jagran every day across 11 states and Jagran Prakash is a listed media company with quality market performance.
Because despite being a Rajya Sabha member, Gupta Senior’s clout extends across parties.
Different strokes Gupta Senior prefers domestic destinations for holidays, while the nephew is a globe-trotter.
Business mantra While Mahendra gives full credit to the team for making the newspaper an influential opinion-maker, Sanjay is a man of few words.
38.
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| BABA RAMDEV, 35, Yoga Guru |
Telly Yogi
Because his followers continue to grow, as he acquires the Aastha channel that gets him 20 million viewers daily, conducts international camps and takes off on yoga cruises at $1,000 ticket a head.
Because he is the richest yogi, having collected Rs 500 crore so far through his camps, and has celebrity fans ranging from Lalu Prasad Yadav to Kangna Ranaut.
His latest conquest The IIM-A, where he talked about Indian values in modern Management techniques.
Believe it or not Insists breathing exercises can regenerate destroyed cells and help the HIV-positive recover.
37.
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| LALIT MODI, 45, Businessman |
Fast and Furious
Because IPL has become bigger, bulkier and better, establishing the potent mix of big business, Bollywood and India
Because he’s forever controversial, whether it is for his proximity to politicians or his confrontationist stand against cricket’s Old Powers.
Because IPL’s success has “persuaded” otherwise reluctant nations into agreeing to a window for a T20 club event to keep their players happy.
Reality check His mentor Vasundhara Raje lost the Rajasthan Assembly elections and he was defeated in the Rajasthan Cricket Association’s elections.
Management style Micro. Is particular about who gets VIP tickets, mostly allocating them himself.
Wants IPL to become Like F1, Wimbledon , Super Bowl.
Loves to Compose what people say are the longest emails ever received from a BlackBerry.
36.
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| VENUGOPAL DHOOT, 56, Industrialist |
The Right Connect
Because despite the slowdown, he is expanding in every direction with Videocon launching its own DTH service, mobile telephony, kickstarting 10 oil-fields in Brazil with Petrobras, investing in coal mines in Indonesia and building three power projects in West Bengal, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh.
Because the price warrior of the consumer electronics business will tote up group revenues of over Rs 19,000 crore this year, with Next becoming India
electronics goods retail chain with 1,100 stores, and investments in the new big thing, energy.
Because he has a phalanx of stars at his beck and call.
Magic moment When Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called Videocon the proud face of Global India.
Hidden talent Can recite shlokas and expound on the Bhagavad Gita. Also plays the flute.
35.
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| RAMESH & SUDHIR AGARWAL, 66 and 41, Media Barons |
No Full Stops
Because the Dainik Bhaskar Group has a presence in seven states, accounting for 30 percent of the country, and continues to expand, adding a Bangalore edition to the Mumbai DNA and a Hindi business daily, Business Bhaskar.
Because the group along with DNA is slated to close the financial year with Rs 1,400 crore in revenue.
Big discovery The regional market is more valuable. Metros only account for a fraction of the population.
Recession mantra Good times are boring and it’s the tough times that spur good thinking.
Road ahead The company will focus on cutting costs and consolidating its position in their existing markets.
34.
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| VIJAY MALLYA, 54, Industrialist |
King of Bling
Because whatever he does gets talked about, whether it’s the good times or the bad times.
Because he’s still the second largest liquor baron in the world, selling nearly three million bottles a day.
Because regardless of the losses, Kingfisher has emerged as the leading player in terms of market share after the merger with Deccan .
Finds time for Personally supervising the scantily clad model shoots on the Kingfisher calendar.
Can he explain Spending Rs 8 crore on Kevin Pietersen for a team that can’t seem to win.
33.
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| RAJENDRA K. PACHAURI, 69, Environmentalist |
Global Warmer
Because global warming is still the hottest subject around the world and he remains one of its most visible proponents after being re-elected chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Because he is a key adviser to the Central Government on the issue and is equally sought after by state chief ministers.
Time off Has just completed a novel, Return to Almora.
Tough guy talk “Nothing that the world is doing today is sustainable. We are going to cause enormous hardships for all species in the planet. We need to mobilise the youth, that’s our only hope.”
Big acquisition The BlackBerry 9000.
32.
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| RAHUL BAJAJ, 71, Industrialist |
Cruise Control
Because he will always have an opinion and people who matter will always lend an ear, especially now that he has a bigger pulpit in the Rajya Sabha.
Because the Bajaj Group revenues are revving up to cross Rs 20,000 crore this year and Bajaj Auto, with over Rs 7,000 crore in cash reserves, is as good as a bank.
Because finally there is peace in Hamara Bajaj—he not only settled the Bajaj family dispute but also put in place a succession plan, with a business each for sons Rajiv and Sanjeev.
Because Bajaj Auto owns 30 per cent of Austrian performance bike maker KTM.
Uncanny knack To be at the right place at the right time. On September 16, the day after Wall Street collapsed, he was attending the NYSE advisory board meeting.
Little known fact Bajaj has been a debt-free company for 30 years.
31.
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| K.P. SINGH, 77, Businessman |
Land Lord
Because despite the economic downturn, he’s still one of the largest private landholders in the country, with 751 million square feet of real estate waiting to be built up.
Because he may have lost $27.2 billion since March, but his fortune is still valued at $7.8 billion, down from $30 billion last year.
How’s the loss affecting him? “It’s only paper,” he says.
Recession index Hasn’t bought anything new to wear in the past four years because he realised he hadn’t worn 60 per cent of the clothes in his wardrobe.
Big mantra Prosperity is the time for austerity. Don’t wait for adversity.
Favourite haunts Harry’s Bar and Groucho Club, London , and Breeze, a 52nd floor rooftop Bangkok
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