Big B, Aish among 50 most influential Indians

NEW YOR: As India prepares to celebrate 60 years of independence, US-based magazine feels IT is no longer the lone global face of the country, evident from its compilation of 50 powerful Indians leading change in politics, the economy and the society.

The list put together by the survey names industry tycoons Ratan Tata, Mukesh Ambani, Sunil Mittal, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, Aviation Minister Praful Patel, UP Chief Minister Mayawati, Delhi Metro chief E Sreedharan, film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Rajnikant, Shahrukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, sportspersons Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar as new leaders of India.

While acknowledging the role of IT wizards, Infosys' N R Narayana Murthy, Wipro's Azim Premji, and Tata Consultancy Services' (TCS) S Ramadorai, the magazine said, "There's more to India than just outsourcing."

Other business leaders who have made it to the list are Anand Mahindra and Anil Aggarwal, bankers K V Kamath and Deepak Parekh, Tata Steel Managing Director B Muthuraman and L&T Chairman A M Naik.

Politicians still carry the most clout with government controlling a major part of the economy, but in India's 60th year of independence, the names on the list are representative of changing times, the magazine noted.

"There are politicians who actually work, corporates who think globally, athletes who aim high, and designers who ensure India is in season. And Bollywood is now teaming up with Hollywood for a whole new script," the publication said.

"Tech leaders used to dominate the show. But a booming economy has thrown up new sectors, new heroes, and new businesses. Telecom, financial services, retail, and many more industries are thriving," the magazine said.