Indian Express Power List 2015: No. 71-80

WHY

Well before he took over as non-executive chairman of Infosys, Kamath was part of the transition exercise that led to Infy getting its first external CEO Vishal Sikka.

POWER PUNCH

Heads the committee on developing financial architecture for MSMEs. Has also been roped in by HRD Ministry to develop a model architectural plan for new IITs, IIMs.

WHAT NEXT

Formulating norms to decide land needed for educational institutions.

BY THE WAY: Infy board chaired by him gave 250,000 pounds for Gandhi statue being built in the UK.

Rank 72 | N R Narayana Murthy (68) | Chairman Emeritus, Infosys

2014: Rank 50

WHY

Though Murthy hung up his Infosys boots in 2014, he is the ‘senior statesman’ of corporate India, whose opinion is much valued.

POWER PUNCH

With the company losing ground, bringing in outsider Vishal Sikka as CEO silenced critics.

WHAT NEXT

His Catamaran Ventures backs next-gen entrepreneurs. With investments in sectors such as microfinance, education and e-commerce, Murthy continues to exert influence.

BY THE WAY: Was Chief Systems Programmer at IIM-Ahmedabad’s computer centre for two years.

Rank 73 | Deepak Parekh (70) | HDFC Chairman

2014: Rank 34

WHY

Considered the doyen of India’s financial sector, he is a source of guidance and advice for top corporates, bankers, regulators as well as the government. HDFC Group has been scaling new heights under him year after year.

POWER PUNCH

Recently said that “there is a little bit of impatience creeping in as to why no changes are happening” under the Modi government.

WHAT NEXT

The big question in the market is: Will HDFC, HDFC Bank merge? He has indicated this could happen.

BY THE WAY: Parekh loves playing bridge and is a cricket buff.

Rank 74 | Karan Johar (42) | Producer-director

NEW ON THE LIST

WHY

Continues to earn fans and power as a producer, as chat show host and as a brand, with great rapport across cliques in Bollywood. His Dharma Productions gave three moderate-budget surprise hits last year.

POWER PUNCH

Johar continues to surprise with his wicked humour. Was part of the AIB Roast that took on several holy cows, including in Bollywood.

WHAT NEXT

Johar makes his acting debut in Anurag Kashyap’s Bombay Velvet. He is also all set to direct a Ranbir, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Anushka Sharma starrer.

BY THE WAY: Speaks fluent French.

Rank 75 | Azim H Premji (69) | Wipro Chairman

NEW ON THE LIST

WHY

Has expanded Wipro’s footprint. The company’s consolidated revenues were up to Rs 12,085 crore in the October-December quarter.

POWER PUNCH

Donated Rs 12,316 crore between April 2013 and October 2014. Shanghai-based Hurun Research Institute put him at the top of a list of philanthropists in India.

WHAT NEXT

Wipro is keen to expand in Andhra Pradesh and is planning to invest Rs 500 crore to develop an information technology SEZ.

BY THE WAY: The tech tycoon loves watching movies and also enjoys trekking.

Rank 76 | Parkash Singh Badal (87) | Punjab Chief Minster

NEW ON THE LIST

WHY

This is his fifth term and second in a row as Punjab CM, making him the tallest political leader in the state.

POWER PUNCH

He led the Akali Dal-BJP coalition to a second consecutive term in power when few expected it.The BJP knows Badal Sr’s value: the Centre recently gave him Padma Vibhushan.

WHAT NEXT

Ahead of the 2017 polls, he has moved away from a religious-political agenda and is resting his chances on the plank of development.

BY THE WAY: Of the serving CMs, he is the only one to have spent 16 years in prison for leading protests.

Rank 77 | Piyush Goyal (50) | Minister of State for Coal & Power, Independent Charge

2014: Rank 94

WHY

As the public face of the BJP, Goyal stoutly defended the policies and programmes of the party during the last Lok Sabha elections. He headed the BJP’s information communication campaign committee during the 2014 general elections.

POWER PUNCH

Goyal is considered architect of the coal ordinance and paved the way for auctioning of 204 coal blocks.

WHAT NEXT

Goyal is hoping for waiving off of custom duty on coal.

BY THE WAY: A chartered accountant, he began as an investment banker.

Rank 78 | Jyotiraditya Scindia (44) | Congress Chief Whip in Lok Sabha

2014: Rank 95

WHY

He has emerged as one of the credible and articulate opposition voices in the House where the BJP is in a huge majority. Congress hopes in Madhya Pradesh also rest on his shoulders.

POWER PUNCH

The BJP may be in power at the Centre and in MP, but Scindia continues to control the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association.

WHAT NEXT

With the government planning to bring in crucial Bills in the Lok Sabha this session, all eyes are on him.

BY THE WAY: Goes to the gym every day.

Rank 79 | Sachin Pilot (37) | Rajasthan Congress President

2014: Rank 66

WHY

A Rahul Gandhi appointee, Pilot has been slowly and steadily scripting a Congress revival of sorts in Rajasthan, where the party was decimated in the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

POWER PUNCH

Led the Congress to a 3-1 win over BJP in the Assembly by-elections held after Lok Sabha whitewash. The party also made impressive gains in recent local body polls.

WHAT NEXT

Has a long road ahead as Assembly polls are some distance away.

BY THE WAY: Fond of chocolates and junk food, but tries to balance that by jogging a few times a week.

Rank 80 | K Chandrasekhar Rao (61) | Telangana Chief Minister

2014: Rank 47

WHY

As the first Telangana CM, holds absolute power in state. Has also managed to win over at least five TDP MLAs, including Talasani Srinivas Yadav, who has been made minister.

POWER PUNCH

Refused to align with the Congress for the Lok Sabha elections, dashing the latter’s hope of benefiting from the formation of the state.

WHAT NEXT

Will hope to wrest control of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation from the AIMIM and the Congress.

BY THE WAY: A loving grandfather, he loves shopping for his grandchildren.