Over the past few years, we have seen an entrepreneurial boom in India and across the world. The Indian economy has seen numerous businesses mushrooming across the country. If you are looking to follow and learn from the most successful business personalities, here is a list.
- Pankaj Patel – Ranked number 32 on the Forbes list of India’s Richest in 2021, Pankaj Patel is a pharma magnate and the chairman of Cadila Healthcare. One of the most popular business leaders of India, Patel is credited with growing the business his father started, into one of the largest, most trusted pharma brands in the entire country. He is known to be an extremely focused and dedicated entrepreneur and a passionate leader committed to making a difference in the lives of people. The Foundation of Indian Industry and Economists named Patel the “Best Pharma Man” in the year 2003.
- Sanjiv Bajaj – A visionary leader, Sanjiv Bajaj is the Chairman and Managing Director of Bajaj Finserv and is also one of the top finance business leaders of the country. Following the demerger of Bajaj Auto in 2007, Sanjiv was excited to take charge of the group’s financial business. Having firmly backed technological innovations and digitisation, Bajaj has grown the company into one of India’s largest NBFCs. He is an empathetic and empowering leader who encourages people to think like business owners and work towards providing solutions to the needs of the masses. He was named Business Leader of the Year 2018 by the Economic Times Awards and ranked among the Top 50 Power People by the India Today Power List 2019.
- Leena Tewari – An inspiration and role model for all the women entrepreneurs of India, Leena Tiwari is the Chairperson of USV Private Limited, one of the leading pharma companies based in India. In 2021, Leena was ranked 43 among India’s Richest by Forbes Magazine. Despite being media-shy and keeping away from the public eye, Tiwari has made a name for herself as a very passionate and ardent champion of humanitarian work. As a leader, she believes in working hard and growing those around her. Her philanthropic work has earned her several accolades. Tiwari was ranked 3rd among women philanthropists by the Hurun Report India Philanthropy List 2019.
- Mallika Srinivasan – Chairman and Managing Director of Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE), Mallika Srinivasan is another inspiring woman who has succeeded as a popular best business icon of the country. Having led TAFE for about 25 years, she has managed to leverage the design and engineering strengths of the company and led it to claim its position as the third-largest tractor manufacturer in the world. Determination, innovation, and transformation have been the mantras that Mallika Srinivasan adopted as a leader and entrepreneur and these have served her well. Apart from several awards and recognitions, she has been ranked 5th among India’s most powerful women by Fortune India in 2019 and named among BBC 100 Power Women in 2016.
- Sunil Mittal – Sunil Mittal is the Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises which has a number of companies including the telecom giant Bharti Airtel which is ranked among the top three mobile operators globally. With the launch of Airtel Payments Bank, Mittal has also joined the ranks of some of the best finance leaders in India. Mittal is ranked 12 among India’s richest people in 2021. His philanthropic work through the Bharti Foundation is truly praise-worthy and is aimed at bringing in a transformation in society. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award in 2007.
- Pallonji Mistry – Indian-born Irish business tycoon, Pallonji Mistry is the chairman of Shapoorji Pallonji Group. The group has varied interests including owning Eureka Forbes and an 18.4% stake in Tata Sons. A very successful entrepreneur and business person, Mistry is now the richest Irishman. In 2016, Mistry was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contributions in the field of trade and industry. In 2021, Pallonji Mistry was ranked 9th among India’s richest people.
Success in business and enterprise, as we see in these famous personalities, goes hand in hand with philanthropy, public work, and transformational work. A passion to excel and a drive to give their very best is one common trait that we see among them all. The new entrepreneurial boom in India has given rise to a new generation of business owners and leaders who can learn from the lives of some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country.
Pallonji Mistry, Sanjiv Bajaj, Leena Tewari, Mallika Srinivasan, Pankaj Patel, Leena Tiwari are trendsetters and role models for everyone who wants to go on and head an entrepreneurial venture.