6. AJAY BANGA, 63

President, World Bank

BANKING AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

Because he was elected to head the World Bank after the resignation of the controversial previous incumbent, David Malpass—a Trump nominee who was accused of being a ‘Climate Change denier’. Banga is expected to prioritise private sector involvement in battling climate change.

Because he is an insider with the US administration, having served on the public-private partnership for Central America with Kamala Harris, and earlier on the advisory committee for trade policy under President Barack Obama.

Because his impressive record as CEO of Mastercard from 2010-2021 saw the corporation’s market capitalisation multiply tenfold, to $300 billion.

7. L.N. MITTAL, 72

Chairman, Arcelor Mittal

FORGING AHEAD

Because he’s the largest shareholder of the world’s biggest steelmaker outside of China, with a revenue of $79.8 billion in 2022.

Because his Luxembourg-based company has been moving aggressively to grow in India since acquiring Essar Steel in 2018 and most recently being cleared to take over the bankrupt Indian Steel Corporation earlier this year.

Because he made it to the sixth spot in the Sunday Times 2022 list of the richest people in the UK with an estimated fortune of ã17 billion. He was fifth in the rich list the previous year.

8. GOPICHAND HINDUJA, 83

Co-Chairman, Hinduja Group

PATRIARCH AMONG BILLIONAIRES

Because he oversees a diverse global business empire that straddles sectors such as automotive, IT, media and entertainment, infrastructure, oil & speciality chemicals, power and real estate, and employs 200,000 people.

Because Gopichand and his family (elder brother and group patriarch Srichand Hinduja passed away on May 17) are the richest people in the UK, and some of the most influential Asians, with a wealth of ã35 billion, as per the Sunday Times rich list. Their assets include property worth millions in central London.

Because the brothers are also big donors through the Hinduja Foundation, contributing to areas such as social welfare, rural development, education, health and water.

9. BELA BAJARIA, 52

LADY WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL

Because her role makes her one of the most powerful executives in entertainment, as she decides how the streamer’s annual content budget of $17 billion is to be spent and greenlights stories that 232.5 million subscribers the world over will watch.

Because under her leadership, the diversity in Netflix’s programming has grown significantly, with popular hits like Bridgerton, Never Have I Ever, The Squid Game and Lupin.

Because in an increasingly tough environment for streaming platforms, she has guaranteed that Netflix remains ahead of its competitors by being the most prolific creator of original programming. Recent hits include Wednesday and Dahmer.

10. PRIYANKA CHOPRA-JONAS, 40

Actress-Producer

BUILDING HER OWN CITADEL

Because she is one of the few Indian immigrants to have made inroads in Hollywood. From headlining Amazon Prime’s spy series Citadel to signing a deal with the service to produce more diverse content with special emphasis on female stories, Chopra-Jonas has proved her mettle in a new industry.

Because her influence in her second home is growing. Chopra-Jonas hosted this year’s pre-Oscars bash in Los Angeles celebrating South Asian talent and interviewed US Vice-President Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Committee Women’s Leadership Forum in Washington last year.

Because she is a vocal advocate for pay parity in entertainment. After earning the same pay check as her male co-star in Citadel, Chopra-Jonas said how this remained an elusive dream for accomplished actresses in cinema back home in India.

Courtesy: India Today