1. Mukesh Ambani
55, Industrialist
Grand Master
Because he has a firm grip on the petrochem, oil and gas as well as retail sectors, with his behemoth Reliance Industries Limited growing to Rs 3.71 lakh crore in revenues in fiscal 2013, compared to Rs 3.39 lakh crore in 2012, an increase of over 9 per cent.
Because he will soon extend his domination to telecom in 4G, having held out an olive branch to estranged brother Anil with a Rs 1,200-crore deal to share Reliance Communications's 1.2 lakh km fibre optic network.
Because in an environment of declining market optimism, Reliance bought back over Rs 3,900 crore worth public shares to boost price stability and confidence, and raised $800 million (Rs 4,400 crore) via a perpetual bond sale at 5.8 per cent interest to overseas investors-the first company to raise money at such a low rate. because he has enormous political clout, and is also the virtual owner of leading multi-media company TV18.
Because he sits on a pile of cashamounting to Rs 82,975 crore.
Home truth In March, Forbes rated Antilia, his 27-storey home, valued at over Rs 5,400 crore, as the world's most expensive.
Love of sports: In 2012, Forbes named Mukesh, who owns IPL team Mumbai Indians with wife Nita, as the world's richest sports owner. Loves watching cricket the most.
Film buff: Watches films on their day of release, or even before that at private screenings at home.
2.Ratan Tata75, Industrialist
Never Say Tata
Because even though he retired as chairman of the Tata Group in December 2012, he remains a business icon, an aspirational leader, and a symbol of good corporate governance, notwithstanding allegations in the 2G scam against his telecom and real estate firms.
Because with the Tata trusts in his control, he holds rights to appointing the next chairman, although current chairman of the group, Cyrus Mistry, 44, can technically continue till he is 75.
Because by virtue of his audacious international acquisitions, including Corus, Jaguar and Land Rover, he continues to give India Inc the confidence to go global.
Big buy: He brought the iconic Starbucks Coffee Company to India in October 2012, and now operates 11 stores in the country.
Speed machine: Bought a Jaguar XFR sports saloon post-retirement in January, which he said "drives brilliantly".
Retired But Not Out
- Ratan Tata is chairman of the four philanthrophic Tata trusts, and as per media reports, they are among the world's top 10 trusts in terms of generosity. In 2010,the trusts spent Rs 500 crore on causes such as education,disaster relief,health and art.
- Tata trusts will have more say in appointing/removing the chairman of Tata Sons, after its board recently tweaked norms.
- The Tata trusts control 66 per cent of the shares of Tata Sons,the holding company of the group.
- The trusts have set up prestigious institutions like Tata Memorial Hospital and National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai.
3.Anand Mahindra
56, Industrialist
Maximum Torque
Because not only does he have a charismatic presence as a vocal industry leader, but he has also made Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) into a Rs 87,450-crore conglomerate, employing more than 150,000 people in 100 countries.
Because his company is the only auto firm to consistently deliver double-digit growth in sales numbers, and reported a healthy 11 per cent sales growth in February 2013, at a time when car sales plunged over 25 per cent due to high inflation and low demand.
Because M&M overtook Tata Motors to become the third largest passenger vehicles company in India after Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai in February 2013.
Big loss: When his nephew, Kaveesh Nath, 32, was killed in March, just before he was set to join the Mahindra Group.
Major acquisition: The 70 per cent stake in South Korean SUV maker Ssangyong in November 2010. It saw record SUV sales and a 53 per cent growth in December 2012.
High point: When, in August 2012, Ratan Tata said he had "great respect" for Mahindra. Mahindra called it a "pat on the back from a big brother".
Loves to drive his own brand, Scorpio.
Tweet It Like Mahindra
- He has 7.55 lakh followers on Twitter.Shares opinion on issues of the day,from the Delhi rape to Arvind Kejriwal's fast to Maharashtra drought.
- He is among the top 10 influential Twitter personalities in India along with Narendra Modi,Kiran Bedi and Shashi Tharoor,according to 2012 study by Burson-Marsteller.
- If a fraction of resources that goes into IPL opening is invested into one other sport, we'll add variety to our lives, he recently tweeted.
- He found out about a Mahindra showroom in Sao Paolo,Brazil, when someone tweeted about it.
56, Industrialist
Maximum Torque
Because not only does he have a charismatic presence as a vocal industry leader, but he has also made Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) into a Rs 87,450-crore conglomerate, employing more than 150,000 people in 100 countries.
Because his company is the only auto firm to consistently deliver double-digit growth in sales numbers, and reported a healthy 11 per cent sales growth in February 2013, at a time when car sales plunged over 25 per cent due to high inflation and low demand.
Because M&M overtook Tata Motors to become the third largest passenger vehicles company in India after Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai in February 2013.
Big loss: When his nephew, Kaveesh Nath, 32, was killed in March, just before he was set to join the Mahindra Group.
Major acquisition: The 70 per cent stake in South Korean SUV maker Ssangyong in November 2010. It saw record SUV sales and a 53 per cent growth in December 2012.
High point: When, in August 2012, Ratan Tata said he had "great respect" for Mahindra. Mahindra called it a "pat on the back from a big brother".
Loves to drive his own brand, Scorpio.
Tweet It Like Mahindra
- He has 7.55 lakh followers on Twitter.Shares opinion on issues of the day,from the Delhi rape to Arvind Kejriwal's fast to Maharashtra drought.
- He is among the top 10 influential Twitter personalities in India along with Narendra Modi,Kiran Bedi and Shashi Tharoor,according to 2012 study by Burson-Marsteller.
- If a fraction of resources that goes into IPL opening is invested into one other sport, we'll add variety to our lives, he recently tweeted.
- He found out about a Mahindra showroom in Sao Paolo,Brazil, when someone tweeted about it.
4.Kumar Mangalam Birla45, Industrialist
The Globetrotter
Because at a time when companies were too cautious to expand, the Aditya Birla Group made three significant buys: Canadaâs Terrace Bay pulp mill for Rs 605 crore; a majority stake in fashion retailer Pantaloon for Rs 800 crore, and a 27.5 per cent stake in INDIA TODAYâS publisher Living Media.
Because he has increased revenue from Rs 6,400 crore in 1996, when he took over, to Rs 2.2 lakh crore and has set a target of Rs 3.5 lakh crore by 2016.
Because half the groupâs turnover comes from overseas, which helps spread the risks across markets.
Operates from Worli, Mumbai.
Offices also in Kolkata, Delhi and London.
Soundtrack of his lifeSings Hindi film songs, although only in close family circles.
Loves to drive a BMW 7 series.
Brand loyalty: Louis Philippe, a clothing line from his own firm Madura Garments.
The Globetrotter
Because at a time when companies were too cautious to expand, the Aditya Birla Group made three significant buys: Canadaâs Terrace Bay pulp mill for Rs 605 crore; a majority stake in fashion retailer Pantaloon for Rs 800 crore, and a 27.5 per cent stake in INDIA TODAYâS publisher Living Media.
Because he has increased revenue from Rs 6,400 crore in 1996, when he took over, to Rs 2.2 lakh crore and has set a target of Rs 3.5 lakh crore by 2016.
Because half the groupâs turnover comes from overseas, which helps spread the risks across markets.
Operates from Worli, Mumbai.
Offices also in Kolkata, Delhi and London.
Soundtrack of his lifeSings Hindi film songs, although only in close family circles.
Loves to drive a BMW 7 series.
Brand loyalty: Louis Philippe, a clothing line from his own firm Madura Garments.
5.Anil Agarwal59, Industrialist
Mining Riches
Because his ability to acquire and turn around under-performing companies has helped Vedanta, of which he is executive chairman, become the largest contributor to the exchequer and largest employer in five states: Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh and Goa.
Because his merged entity, SesaSterlite, that awaits Madras High Court approval, will be the world's seventh largest diversified natural resource company.
Because locals affected by the closure in December of the controversial Rs 5,000 crore Vedanta aluminium refinery in Odisha have launched a signature campaign seeking its reopening.
Big buy: Cairn India, which produces 25 per cent of India's oil and gas.
Future plans: He wants to hand over the reins to a professional chief executive over the next four years.
Need for speed Has a fleet of cars including a Bentley.
Operates from Mumbai, London.
Mining Riches
Because his ability to acquire and turn around under-performing companies has helped Vedanta, of which he is executive chairman, become the largest contributor to the exchequer and largest employer in five states: Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh and Goa.
Because his merged entity, SesaSterlite, that awaits Madras High Court approval, will be the world's seventh largest diversified natural resource company.
Because locals affected by the closure in December of the controversial Rs 5,000 crore Vedanta aluminium refinery in Odisha have launched a signature campaign seeking its reopening.
Big buy: Cairn India, which produces 25 per cent of India's oil and gas.
Future plans: He wants to hand over the reins to a professional chief executive over the next four years.
Need for speed Has a fleet of cars including a Bentley.
Operates from Mumbai, London.
6.Cyrus Mistry44, Industrialist
Trusted One
Because he became the sixth chairman of the $100 billion (Rs 550,000 core) Tata Group, only the second chairman not named Tata, after Sir Nowroji Saklatvala.
Because his family has huge clout in the Tata Group, with father Pallonji Mistry the single largest shareholder in Tata Sons with 18.4 per cent.
Because the Tata Group will invest Rs 45,000 crore in the next two years across businesses.
Big move: As MD of construction giant Shapoorji Pallonji, he diversified from construction to design and took the firm's revenues from $20 million in 1994 to almost $2.5 billion in 2012.
Did you know? He is an Irish national as his mother, Patsy Perin Dubash, is Irish. He shares his birthdate with America's Independence Day.
Trusted One
Because he became the sixth chairman of the $100 billion (Rs 550,000 core) Tata Group, only the second chairman not named Tata, after Sir Nowroji Saklatvala.
Because his family has huge clout in the Tata Group, with father Pallonji Mistry the single largest shareholder in Tata Sons with 18.4 per cent.
Because the Tata Group will invest Rs 45,000 crore in the next two years across businesses.
Big move: As MD of construction giant Shapoorji Pallonji, he diversified from construction to design and took the firm's revenues from $20 million in 1994 to almost $2.5 billion in 2012.
Did you know? He is an Irish national as his mother, Patsy Perin Dubash, is Irish. He shares his birthdate with America's Independence Day.
7.Samir and Vineet Jain58 and 46, Media barons
Times Travellers
Because they remain Indian news industry's most prolific tag team, breaking news such as the Maharashtra irrigation scam, and pioneering an internal cost rationalisation scheme which is close to saving Rs 100 crore in operating costs over a one-year period.
Because they have a presence across the news mind-space with 16 newspapers, 15 magazines, four TV channels, a radio station spread across 32 cities, an Internet portal, six marketing solutions companies, a music label, and a books division.
Because at 7.61 million, The Times of India has more daily readers than India's second, third and fourth-largest English language newspapers put together.
Echoes in the HouseIts fictional name for the Delhi gang-rape victim was adopted by Parliament in the 'Nirbhaya Act'.
Times Travellers
Because they remain Indian news industry's most prolific tag team, breaking news such as the Maharashtra irrigation scam, and pioneering an internal cost rationalisation scheme which is close to saving Rs 100 crore in operating costs over a one-year period.
Because they have a presence across the news mind-space with 16 newspapers, 15 magazines, four TV channels, a radio station spread across 32 cities, an Internet portal, six marketing solutions companies, a music label, and a books division.
Because at 7.61 million, The Times of India has more daily readers than India's second, third and fourth-largest English language newspapers put together.
Echoes in the HouseIts fictional name for the Delhi gang-rape victim was adopted by Parliament in the 'Nirbhaya Act'.
8.Sunil Bharti Mittal55, Industrialist
Across the Spectrum
Because in August 2012, Bharti Airtel crossed the 200 million customer mark in India, making it the world's fourth largest mobile operator and the largest in India.
Because he operates in 17 African countries and is the continent's second largest service provider with a subscriber base of over 61.7 million in December 2012.
Because Bharti-Walmart is billed to be the first FDI multi-brand retailer to set up shop in India.
Because Bharti has launched 4G services in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali, giving it a lead over its rivals.
Bad hair day: He was summoned to the CBI special court as an accused in the 2G spectrum case.
Sonrise: His son Kavin launched an app 'Hike', now the second most preferred free messaging app after WhatsApp. Shravin, his twin brother, is studying MBA at Harvard Business School.
Hot wheels He comes to office everyday in his favourite car, a black Mercedes S-Class.
Across the Spectrum
Because in August 2012, Bharti Airtel crossed the 200 million customer mark in India, making it the world's fourth largest mobile operator and the largest in India.
Because he operates in 17 African countries and is the continent's second largest service provider with a subscriber base of over 61.7 million in December 2012.
Because Bharti-Walmart is billed to be the first FDI multi-brand retailer to set up shop in India.
Because Bharti has launched 4G services in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali, giving it a lead over its rivals.
Bad hair day: He was summoned to the CBI special court as an accused in the 2G spectrum case.
Sonrise: His son Kavin launched an app 'Hike', now the second most preferred free messaging app after WhatsApp. Shravin, his twin brother, is studying MBA at Harvard Business School.
Hot wheels He comes to office everyday in his favourite car, a black Mercedes S-Class.
9.Azim Premji67, Industrialist
Baron Beneficent
Because he donated Rs 12,000 crore worth Wipro shares to a trust for educational initiatives in India's largestever philanthropic contribution.
Because despite globally muted economic growth, Wipro saw an 18 per cent rise in net profit for the third quarter of 2012.
Because he is one captain of industry unafraid of speaking his mind in public in the national interest, on several occasions writing to the Prime Minister to complain about policy paralysis in Government.
Power friends: Ratan Tata, N.R. Narayana Murthy and Kiran Mazumdar Shaw. In June 2012, Bill Gates discussed philanthropy with Premji and friends.
Brand loyalty: Uses Wipro's Chandrika soap and Ego laptops. speed machine Owns a Skoda Laura, but recently bought a second hand Mercedes C-Class.
Laugh out loud: At the launch of wife Yasmeen Premji's book Days of Gold and Sepia, a journalist asked him what he thought of the book. "It should be good, considering she took 20 years to write it," was his answer.
Baron Beneficent
Because he donated Rs 12,000 crore worth Wipro shares to a trust for educational initiatives in India's largestever philanthropic contribution.
Because despite globally muted economic growth, Wipro saw an 18 per cent rise in net profit for the third quarter of 2012.
Because he is one captain of industry unafraid of speaking his mind in public in the national interest, on several occasions writing to the Prime Minister to complain about policy paralysis in Government.
Power friends: Ratan Tata, N.R. Narayana Murthy and Kiran Mazumdar Shaw. In June 2012, Bill Gates discussed philanthropy with Premji and friends.
Brand loyalty: Uses Wipro's Chandrika soap and Ego laptops. speed machine Owns a Skoda Laura, but recently bought a second hand Mercedes C-Class.
Laugh out loud: At the launch of wife Yasmeen Premji's book Days of Gold and Sepia, a journalist asked him what he thought of the book. "It should be good, considering she took 20 years to write it," was his answer.
10.Gautam Adani
50, Industrialist
Power Player
Because the Adani Group has built an infrastructural powerhouse: Adani Power is the biggest private producer of power at 5,600 MW and his port handling capacity is now 100 million tonnes, the biggest for an Indian group.
Because he has emerged as India's biggest private coal miner with access to coal up to 90 million tonnes and reserves of three billion tonnes in the next 30 years.
Because he has an excellent working relationship with the man of the moment, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, displaying his loyalty by retracting sponsorship to Wharton's India Forum when Modi's invitation was withdrawn.
Show of might: Son Karan's wedding in Goa in 2012 saw the who's who in attendance, from Modi to Mukesh Ambani.
Most comfortable: In the garden of his eight-bedroom Ahmedabad home, feeding ducks in the pond.
28.Kalanidhi Maran48, Media baron
Sun of the South
Because he is the badshah of South Indian media with 21 TV channels, 41 FM radio stations and a daily newspaper, which are growing despite a ruthlessly obstructionist state government.
Because Kalanidhi, whose wealth was $2.8 billion in 2012 according to Forbes, expanded his empire from media and SpiceJet airlines to enter the world of sports by buying IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Show of might: As Air India and Kingfisher lost ground in 2012, Maran-owned SpiceJet's domestic passenger traffic grew by 26 per cent.
Adventure freak: Likes to go off on safaris to South Africa with his family in his Sun group's Rs 237-crore Bombardier jet.
Big brother: Loves catching up with his younger brother Dayanidhi Maran. They meet on a daily basis when Dayanidhi, a DMK MP, is not attending Parliament sessions.
Personal space: His palatial home on the prestigious Boat Club Road in Chennai.
50, Industrialist
Power Player
Because the Adani Group has built an infrastructural powerhouse: Adani Power is the biggest private producer of power at 5,600 MW and his port handling capacity is now 100 million tonnes, the biggest for an Indian group.
Because he has emerged as India's biggest private coal miner with access to coal up to 90 million tonnes and reserves of three billion tonnes in the next 30 years.
Because he has an excellent working relationship with the man of the moment, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, displaying his loyalty by retracting sponsorship to Wharton's India Forum when Modi's invitation was withdrawn.
Show of might: Son Karan's wedding in Goa in 2012 saw the who's who in attendance, from Modi to Mukesh Ambani.
Most comfortable: In the garden of his eight-bedroom Ahmedabad home, feeding ducks in the pond.
28.Kalanidhi Maran48, Media baron
Sun of the South
Because he is the badshah of South Indian media with 21 TV channels, 41 FM radio stations and a daily newspaper, which are growing despite a ruthlessly obstructionist state government.
Because Kalanidhi, whose wealth was $2.8 billion in 2012 according to Forbes, expanded his empire from media and SpiceJet airlines to enter the world of sports by buying IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Show of might: As Air India and Kingfisher lost ground in 2012, Maran-owned SpiceJet's domestic passenger traffic grew by 26 per cent.
Adventure freak: Likes to go off on safaris to South Africa with his family in his Sun group's Rs 237-crore Bombardier jet.
Big brother: Loves catching up with his younger brother Dayanidhi Maran. They meet on a daily basis when Dayanidhi, a DMK MP, is not attending Parliament sessions.
Personal space: His palatial home on the prestigious Boat Club Road in Chennai.