The most powerful Indians in 2011: No. 41-50

Why

Though he gave up executive responsibilities at HDFC,Parekh remains a formidable force in the Indian industry,especially in the financial sector. Minces no words while drawing the attention of the government and regulators on lacunae in the system. Like Ratan Tata,Parekh also spoke out against the deteriorating investment climate in India. He retains his 41st ranking.

Power Punch

Unlike many Indian CEOs,Parekh quit all executive positions at HDFC and became non-executive chairman last year.

What next

He is among 14 citizens who wrote an open letter to the government about governance deficit and corruption. He is likely to take a keen interest in these issues and look forward to resolving them.

By the way

He is an avid bridge player.

42. Mohan Bhagwat,60

RSS Sarsanghchalak

WHY

His slide down the list is thanks to the RSS being squarely in focus as the police investigate “saffron terror”. The Sangh hasn’t been quite able to counter sharp Congress attacks. And the BJP,while making the right noises,seems rather disinclined to give the kind of support it could have. That the BJP didn’t change its positive stand on the Ayodhya verdict even after the RSS did is a sign of his and his organisation’s diminished clout.

POWER PUNCH

He ordered Sangh activists and leaders to make no provocative statements in the lead-up to the Ayodhya verdict. They obeyed him.

WHAT NEXT

Has to manage arguably the worst crisis the RSS has faced in a long time. The “saffron terror” issue has raised many questions on how the Sangh functions and he has a big job in restoring its credibility.

BY THE WAY

He never skips his morning yoga.

43. Nandan Nilekani,55

Chairman,Unique Identification Authority of India

Why

The former IT czar heads the UIDAI project,one of the most ambitious ones of the UPA government,which aims to roll out Aadhar (UID) numbers to over 600 million Indians. It has rolled out 10 lakh numbers and has a formidable task ahead to create a foolproof database for government agencies. From battling staff crunch and collecting and collating data to trying to get the government to spare nearly Rs 7,000 crore in the first phase,Nilekani has had a tough job on hand.

POWER PUNCH

He is in charge of one of the biggest projects in the world: giving every citizen of the world’s second-most populous nation a unique identity.

WHAT NEXT

UIDAI is working out the assimilation of data collated from various sources on a single platform. It has resolved to dish out unique numbers for other cities soon.

BY THE WAY

Reads newspapers in a sequence,which varies with the city he is in. In Delhi,he starts with The Indian Express.

44. Goolam E Vahanvati,61

Attorney-General of India

Why

He goes up in the list because his job has become more important,given the many legal fronts on which the government is on the defensive. He’s the most able officer the government can field when judges ask tough questions.

Power Punch

When the PMO came under fire during the 2G controversy,with allegations of “inaction” against A Raja,he argued that the 2G petitioner should have petitioned a court rather than write to the PM about Raja.

What Next

Arguing the government’s position in the CVC’s appointment case — a tough job.

By the way

Has a real fondness for classy ties.

45. SY Quraishi,63

Chief Election Commissioner

Why

He comes into the list and in the top 50 because with assembly elections in Assam,West Bengal,Tamil Nadu,Kerala,and UT Puducherry slated this year,he becomes one of the most important public figures. He’s taken strong stands on issues like paid news and monitoring poll expenditure. He introduced the system of micro-observers for election expenses last year and set up a division for coordinating efforts under a senior income-tax officer in the EC.

Power Punch

Bihar elections,divided in six phases,were peaceful; they saw,for the first time in the state,more women casting their ballot than male voters.

What Next

Peaceful Bengal elections is his big challenge,and mediating between the CPM and the Trinamool.

By the way

A music buff and a guitar player,he’s made his guitar from scratch. Senior officials are among the performers at the soirees held at his home.

46. Kaushik Basu,59

Chief Economic Adviser

Why

A lateral entrant in the government,Basu was C Marks Professor of International Studies in Cornell University’s Department of Economics before he moved to North Block. With his ideas on food coupons and school vouchers,he brought a new perspective to the Economic Survey last year—his debut. Many of his ideas have gained currency: for instance,in fertilisers,the govern-ment has moved to a nutrient-based subsidy from a product-based one.

Power Punch

He has the ear of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee,and successfully mobilised the long-pending fuel price deregulation last year. He is a part of the new Financial Stability and Development Council and a committee formed by the PM to look into the proposed Food Security Bill.

What Next

The Economic Survey and Budget 2011-12 will bear the imprint of his ideas.

By the way

He is the inventor of a two-player boardgame,Duidoku.

47. Chanda Kochhar, 49

MD & CEO,ICICI Bank

Why

When she took charge of ICICI,the bank was troubled. She is credited with bringing in changes,including in the company mantra from “aggressive growth” to “growth”. Under her,the company went slow on its credit card business and unsecured loan segment. After a couple of years of pain,ICICI Bank is moving towards growth; that’s the reason she goes up on the list,and makes it to the top 50.

Power Punch

She initiated several restructuring measures to save costs. From the earlier strategy of centralising retail banking through net-banking,she moved to branch banking.

What Next

She will focus on the various secured loan segments along with project,infrastructure and trade finance. Her target will be to get maximum customers to branch banking.

By the way

Music is her stress-buster. She also loves Thai and Mughlai food.

48. Fali S Nariman,82

Legal Expert

Why

His is a judicial voice still heard and respected but he goes down the list because the context of the judiciary-executive relationship has changed,with the apex court now examining several cases of official venality. And the judiciary’s own problems,on which his voice is most heard,are not in focus. However,with all the allegations surrounding relatives of an ex-CJI,and judicial reforms still pending,he remains a key figure.

Power Punch

In his book,Before Memory Fades,he admitted he regrets having taken Union Carbide’s brief in the litigation on the Bhopal gas tragedy — a rare kind of admission in Indian public life.

What Next

He’s India’s lawyer in the International Court of Justice in The Hague in the dispute with Pakistan on the Kishenganga hydel project.

By the way

He’s an avid swimmer.

49. GM Rao,61

Chairman,GMR Group

Why

He falls a bit not because of Delhi’s T3 airport’s initial troubles — the terminal is truly world-class — but because in India the momentum of new projects for GMR seems to have flagged. He makes it to the top 50,though,because his group is going places abroad — Istanbul airport done,now modernising Male’s airport.

Power Punch

Finished the Istanbul airport in a record 18 months.

What Next

His group has set its eye on running airports across Middle-East,South-East Asia and Europe.

By the way

He carries a black diary,jotting down ideas and concepts. He then asks his executives to follow up.

50. Sharad Pawar,70

Union Agriculture Minister

Why

His inability as the minister to do or even say something useful about food inflation explains his steep fall in the list. He has been the target of criticism not just from the Opposition but also from his ally,the Congress. He retains his political astuteness though. He asked to be divested of the responsibility of running food and civil supplies,and got his wish when the Cabinet was shuffled. In his job as ICC chief,he hasn’t been particularly effective,except during his firm stand on the issue of Pakistan-related cricket betting controversy.

Power Punch

He was the one UPA minister who spoke out openly about the need to address India Inc’s concerns. This,at a time the UPA is being perceived as being “anti-industry”.

What Next

Agriculture reform,perhaps,now that he doesn’t have food and civil supplies? More realistically,he will be super busy with cricket matters since India is hosting the World Cup.

By the way

He has a serious weakness for fish,especially pomfret.