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| RAMACHANDRA GUHA, 52, Historian |
The Write Stuff
Because he makes academics look cool, writing with as much ease on Verrier Elwin as on cricket.
Because he’s not afraid of taking an unpopular stand—even if it is urging Arundhati Roy to stick to writing for backing the Narmada Bachao Andolan.
Writing style Disciplined. Every day from 9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.
Next move A prequel to India After Gandhi about the first half of the 20th century.
49.
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| N.K. SINGH, 69, MP |
The Sophisticate
Because he is much sought-after for his eclectic intellect and has the ability to bring together at dinner, whether at his Vasant Vihar home
or at Davos, billionaires, international leaders, think-tank types and
multi-lateral agency chiefs.
Because in 2009 he was finally elected to the Rajya Sabha, thanks to Nitish Kumar.
Cool buddies George Yeo to Nicholas Stern, L.N. Mittal to Mukesh Ambani,
Sunil Mittal to Anand Mahindra.
Pet project Preparing a blueprint for the revival of Nalanda University.
His music Listening to Kishori Amonkar on his Bang & Olufsen system.
48.
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| DEVI SHETTY, 57, Doctor |
Medicine Man
Because he has taken to heart the provision of affordable health
Because he has taken to heart the provision of affordable health
care by creating large health cities in seven cities.
Because he conceptualised the world’s cheapest health insurance
programme, Yeshaswini Micro Health Insurance, that covers three
million beneficiaries in Karnataka alone, at Rs 5 a month each.
Big fight Practices a martial art known as Budokan Karate.
Big number He has performed more than 10,000 heart operations with one of the highest success rates worldwide.
47.
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| VISWANATHAN ANAND, 40, Chess Grandmaster |
Champion of the Board
Because he is world champion and one-man revolution all rolled into
Because he is world champion and one-man revolution all rolled into
one, and is India’s highest-paid sportsperson, with the appearance fees
rumored to be $250,000 depending on who wants him to play.
Because he is the face of the NIIT Mind Champions Academy that has taken
chess e-learning in schools from 1,605 clubs in 2003 to 6,551 clubs and 7.4
lakh members in 2008.
Power move Winning his third world chess championship in Germany.
Little known fact His passion for rock music—from the Rolling Stones to U2.
46.
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| RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR, 46, Entrepreneur |
Straight Talker
Because he has built access across the political spectrum with a mix of
Because he has built access across the political spectrum with a mix of
business, politics and media interests.
Because he sits pretty both in Parliament and atop Rs 2,500 crore in his
venture fund.
Because he, along with Star TV, controls the second largest television
network in the South.
Because he takes on the Government over economic and security issues.
The drive His fleet has Ferraris, BMWs and India’s largest collection of Land Rovers. His favourite is a red Lamborghini.
The digital statement He asked his Facebook friends if he should join a
political party. The most practical advice
came from Omar Abdullah.
45.
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| PARMESHWAR GODREJ, 64, Social Arbiter |
Haute Hostess
Because she’s the original style icon who organises charity events
Because she’s the original style icon who organises charity events
with as much panache as she does black-tie dos for the Moet set.
Because neither Bollywood’s best nor Hollywood’s hautest refuse to
support her Heroes Project for AIDS awareness.
Because she’s one of the few people on intimate terms with both the
Little known fact That she is deeply spiritual and visits a temple in Patiala
with the family every birthday.
The big acquisition Her son’s return to India, after many years, with
her daughter-in-law Karla.44.
 |
| JAGGI VASUDEV, 53, Guru |
Motorcycle Guru
Because he’s the latest in a long line of Indian mystics capturing the imagination of the West with 100 yoga centres around the world.
Because he spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos three years in a row. Because he makes a combination of yoga, green activism and spiritual therapy seem as elevating as it is hip.
Style statement Green. Has initiated Project Green Hands, a move to increase the green cover of Tamil Nadu by 33 per cent in the next 15 years.
Power point Endorsed by M. Karunanidhi, his followers range from Nandita Das and Prahlad Kakkar to Microsoft’s Ravi Venkatesh.
Likes to Go for long rides on his BMW and Harley Davidson bikes, gifted by devotees.
43.
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| PRATHAP C. REDDY, 77, Doctor |
Health Effect
Because he is the largest private health care provider in India and plans to ramp up infrastructure to 3,000 hospital beds, with 1,400 beds in Mumbai alone.
Because Apollo has fetched a record five global JCI accreditations for developing world class hospitals with top patient safety standards.
Unusual hobby Wandering in the mango gardens in his native village, Aragonda, 150 km from Chennai.
Kinship factor Though none is a doctor, all his four daughters—Preetha, Sunitha, Shobana, Sangeeta—two adult grandsons and two adult granddaughters are involved in managing the Apollo Group.
Because he is the largest private health care provider in India and plans to ramp up infrastructure to 3,000 hospital beds, with 1,400 beds in Mumbai alone.
Because Apollo has fetched a record five global JCI accreditations for developing world class hospitals with top patient safety standards.
Unusual hobby Wandering in the mango gardens in his native village, Aragonda, 150 km from Chennai.
Kinship factor Though none is a doctor, all his four daughters—Preetha, Sunitha, Shobana, Sangeeta—two adult grandsons and two adult granddaughters are involved in managing the Apollo Group.
42.
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| PRANNOY & RADHIKA ROY, 60, Media Barons |
Brand Width
Because despite its rapidly slipping ratings, NDTV 24X7 remains a strong news brand and he is still its most credible anchor.
Because he’s a great media survivor in spite of a consolidated loss of Rs 120 crore last year in his entertainment and news business.
Show of force Threatening legal action against a blogger for his comments on how star editor Barkha Dutt covered the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai.
Moment of truth Letter to staffers admitting the organisation has “substantial flab” and “too many floaters”.
What they need According to the letter to their staff, more ideas on how to cut costs.
41.
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| UDAY KOTAK, 50, Banker |
Mr. Prudence
Because he is poised for a shot at the leadership of the financial sector as the titans ride into the sunset, with Kotak Bank being the fourth largest bank after HDFC, ICICI and Axis, making it the largest promoter-owned bank.
Because despite the global recession, his bank boasts of a capital adequacy ratio of 21 percent and in the shortest time, he has straddled every slice of the financial sector to emerge as a conglomerate with 18,000 employees and assets of over Rs 40,000 crore.
Started life By walking around Mumbai’s financial district, helping traders discount bills.
New obsession Applying the ‘black swan’ theory on current events.
Little known fact He is a professionally trained sitar player.
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