The most powerful indians in 2010: No. 91-100

92. AMARTYA SEN,76
Economist

Why
India’s best known intellectual comes down the list because although his book on the philosophical underpinnings of justice was a great work of scholarship,it has been some time a Sen idea has caught the imagination in public policy discourse. But of course,the corpus of his ideas and the fact that an intervention by him will get instant and wide attention keeps him in the power list.
Power punch
He critiqued the CPM for what he called its “blind anti-Americanism”.
What next
He’s keen to work out viable ways to provide quality primary education in India. That’s the primary focus of his India visits.

93. SOLI SORABJEE,79
Legal expert

Why
The former attorney-general is respected as much for his jurisprudence (he is the architect of the court’s pronouncements on Article 356),as he is for being an outstanding member of the Bar. He slides down our list as the 79-year-old has slowed down on the daily run of Supreme Court litigation with age. But this lawyer can hold his own among the current generation and still has the clout to be on any power list.
Power punch
His presence in the court in favour of jailed Chhattisgarh doctor Binayak Sen resulted in instant bail— something that he was denied for two years.
What next
The multi-faceted Soli is perhaps the only senior lawyer best placed to explain the law and judiciary to a younger generation of citizens. But the demands of litigation might make book tours,articles and teaching difficult.

94. JAGGI VASUDEV,52
Spiritual guru

Why
He had a relatively quiet year,slipping down a few notches on our list. He is one of the new generation sadhus who doesn’t carry the baggage of religion. His non-religious,not-for-profit,public service organisation’s work in afforestation is commendable. It has been successful in planting hundreds of thousands of saplings so far.
Power punch
Initiated by Isha Foundation,Project GreenHands,which aims to plant a total of 114 million saplings,remains the biggest such organised effort in India.
What next
His foundation plans to start a computer-based education initiative to be established in 206 village schools in rural southern India by 2014.

95. PRIYANKA CHOPRA,27
Actor

Why
She makes it to this year’s list thanks to the success of Fashion,Dostana and Kaminey. Though her last film Pyaar Impossible flopped,it hasn’t affected her popularity. According to TAM AdEx that monitors press and TV brands,Priyanka,with multiple brand endorsements to her name,has inched out the Bachchans and Shah Rukh Khan and is rated as the top celebrity endorser.
Power punch
She got the National Award for Fashion. Also,with 1,49,751 (and counting) followers on Twitter,she is currently leading the Bollywood twitter pack.
What next
She will play a con artiste with seven get-ups in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Ek Bataa Saat. She’s also paired as Ranbir Kapoor’s romantic interest in Anjaana Anjaani.

96. RAJNIKANTH,60
Actor

Why
The superstar of Tamil film industry stays put in our list because his fan following hasn’t shrunk even the tiniest bit even after the rather average box office performance of his last film Kuselan. In an industry obsessed with appearances,he is the only actor who refuses to use make-up when not facing the camera.
Power punch
He hasn’t cashed in on his political quotient. But whenever he takes up an issue,from video piracy to portrayal of film stars in the media,the authorities take notice and act promptly. He is a recluse who no one wants to rub the wrong way.
What next
Enthiran,the most expensive Indian film with him as an android and Aishwarya Rai as his love interest,is an eagerly awaited Tamil film.

97. PRATHAP REDDY,79
Chairman,Apollo Hospitals Group

Why
He showed us that private medical care can be an affordable and viable business. He makes it to the power list this year because even though he has been in private medical care for over two decades (he set up the first Apollo Hospital in Chennai in 1983),it is his idea of providing healthcare at the cost of Re 1 a day that has revolutionised healthcare.
Power punch
His vast knowledge of healthcare means he’s a part of crucial consultative groups set up by the government. Given the UPA’s focus on affordable healthcare,he’s very much in demand.
What next
His ideas may have traction in the developed world,too. He has business interests abroad. The West is looking for options on affordable healthcare.

98. MONTEK SINGH AHLUWALIA,66
Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission

Why
Plunges on the list this time,because with Pranab Mukherjee at the helm in North Block,the Planning Commission’s wings have been clipped. He is trying his best to make the panel an independent think-tank.
Power punch
Though the Finance Ministry harped on returning to the path of fiscal consolidation,he made it clear that the time wasn’t ripe to withdraw the stimuli given to various sectors.
What next
He has asked Arun Maira,a member in the Plan panel,to prepare a report on what the commission must be doing in the coming years.

99. BABA RAMDEV,45
Spiritual guru

Why
The yoga guru drops sharply in our list because of the noise he made on several issues: from claiming a cure to homosexuality to shouting out about bringing back black money to India. But he didn’t cut ice with middle India. His asanas,though,continue to sell.
Power punch
He filed a petition in the SC challenging the Delhi High Court judgment decriminalising sexual relationships between two consenting adults (of the same sex) in private.
What next
He has tried to move into politics but is yet to take the plunge.

100. SRI SRI RAVISHANKAR,53
Spiritual guru

Why
His Sudarshan Kriya breathing technique has a global following with,over 15,000 executives across 230 organisations practising it. In 2009,his Art of Living Foundation formed the “Parliament of World Religions”. He was ranked 5th in Forbes India’s list of the seven most powerful people in India in 2009.
Power punch
He met clerics from Darul Uloom in Deoband to convince them to reverse their fatwa prohibiting Muslims to sing Vande Mataram.
What next
He is focussing on including youth in conflict resolution programs.