India - People - Statistical Data Included

Business Asia, Sept 13, 1999

ON THE RISE: ANIL AMBANI

Managing Director, Reliance Industries
Age: 40
Contact: 91-22-283-633
Education: MBA, Wharton School of Business, University of
Pennyslvania; Bachelor of Science, Bombay University

Like his father before him, Anil Ambani wants to take Reliance, the largest non-state company in India, into new territory. While father Dhirubhai successfully took the company through the socialist business environment of India after the 1950s, Anil has to navigate a new course amidst increasing sector liberalisation and foreign competition. So far, Anil's moves to expand production, streamline procedures and enter overseas capital markets have been successful, with profit figures for 1999 steadily increasing.

Ratan N. Tata
Chairman, Tata Group
Age: 61
Education: Cornell University; Harvard Graduate
School of Advanced Business Management
Contact: 91-22-204-9131

As head of the Largest and most powerful business in the country, Ratan N. Tata is well known throughout India. The Tata Group is India's largest industrial conglomerate, with holdings in steel automobiles, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, metals, agribusiness, consumer products, power supply, heavy construction, shipping, financial services, hotels, IT and communications networks. Although not popular because of his "minimalist" style of management, Tata's influence remains substantial. His impact on business in India can't be underestimated.

N.R. Narayana Murthy
Founder, Chairman, Infosys Technologies
Age: 53
Education: National Institute of Engineering;
Indian Institute of Technology
Contact: 91-80-852-0261

N.R. Narayana Murthy is the man all budding Indian computer technicians want to emulate. From its beginnings in a small Bombay apartment in 1981 with start-up capital of US$250 and eight engineers, Murthy has built Infosys into one of India's most profitable software firms. It is the first Indian company to be listed on a United States stock exchange (Nasdaq). Much of the credit goes to Murthy, who introduced "revolutionary" business practices to India, including presenting quarterly reports, Western-style auditing and share options for employees. Murthy says the company will use the "visibility" of being listed on Nasdaq to move away from being the sweatshop of the computer industry -- capitalising on cheap talent to build custom programs -- and develop new products to fuel growth.

Dhirubhai Ambani
Chairman, Reliance Industries Ltd
Age: 66
Education: High school
Contact: 91-22-283-1633

He's relinquished the post of company managing director to his son Anil, but it doesn't mean Dhirubhai Ambani has stopped guiding the company he built from scratch. Dhirubhai, who formed Reliance in 1958, is spearheading the company's 10 billion rupee (US$231 million) expansion, as well as plans to list shares on the US stock exchange. The 66-year-old remains one of India's most successful businessmen, with strong links to the private sector and government.

Sonia Gandhi
Leader, Congress Party
Age: 52
Education: Cambridge University

When the dust from India's third election in as many years settles, expect the Italian-born leader to have a prominent role in the new political hierarchy. As Business Asia went to press, opinion polls were forecasting victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party coalition, but Gandhi's Congress Party still commands support in many Indian regions. The Congress Party has governed India 45 out of the 52 years since it gained independence -- and Sonia Gandhi is their best chance to return to power.

Don't forget

Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman, Birla Group; Keshub Mahindra, chairman, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

INDIA: AT A GLANCE

Capital:                         New Delhi
Surface area:                    3,288 thousand sq km
Population:                      970.6 million (1998)
GDP:                             US$377.9bn (1998)
GDP per capita:                  US$400 (1998)
Exports of goods and services:   US$44.1bn
Imports of goods and services:   US$59.2bn