Business Leaders Who Changed the Indian Economy

-Geetha Vasudevan/II Year MBA/KCE Good leaders make people feel that they're at the very heart of things, not at the periphery. Everyone feels that he or she makes a difference to the success of the organization. When that happens people feel centered and that gives their work meaning." --Warren G. Bennis Opening up of markets have given immense opportunities to the business leaders in India. Indian ITES and IT sectors have already proved their mettle in the global economy and other Indian sectors are now been to follow their trend. Today, a new spirit of economic freedom is stirring India, bringing sweeping changes in its wake and unleashing the vast potential of the Indian economy. This augurs well for the continuation and progressive strengthening of investor friendly policies that have created a sea of opportunities for domestic and foreign investors. The personalities who have made big differences to the Western region in their own small way are driving out economic and social implications throughout India. The Western region comprising Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa have captured the opportunities for bringing about tremendous development. A complete makeover has pushed these states into the infra agenda. The contribution given by Mr. Vilasro Deshmukh has resulted in the huge developmental work in the countrys financial capital. He is conscientious and has taken, up major initiatives to bring out world class infrastructure all over the state. Herodotus rightly said The destiny of man is his own soul. Undoubtedly, the Marathas strongman Mr. Sharad Pawars politics may baffle many of us. But the clear NCP leader has made his constituency a model for development. He is an intriguing politician of his time but epitomizes development at Baramati, his home turf by serving company giants to invest on craftiness and developmental activities.

A man with a monologue on development ideas and achievements is Mr. Narendra Modi. Many in industy and the business community vouch for Mr. Modis contribution to Gujarat. The single biggest change was in power reforms. His plan to bifurcate industry, domestic and agri consumers by providing electricity to villages that partially contributes towards infra was the biggest natty reward. The strategic polices to draw in more investors and to develop the states industrial potential was displayed by Mr Degambar Kamat who represents Goas new breed of politicians. A quick learner in the political ring, known for his administrative skills developed bodies to help industrialists and businessmen to handle a number of issues. His keen interest lies in the promotion of various SEZS by adding only non polluting industries to the state. The media friendly face of Indian politics Mr. Praful Patel, Union Minster for Civil Aviation is all power set bagging some of the largest deals in just 3 years He is a kind of man who never lose focus and accurately senses where the centre of gravity is. Mr. Patel flew a long mile to clinch at the top and eventually bagged the most lucrative portfolio,by buying dozens of aircrafts from Boeing and Airbus for the overall development of Aviation industry. It is difficult, but not impossible, to conduct honest business like the Indian giant Mukesh Ambani.For thousands of investors and entrepreneurs he is now the man with the Midas touch. Over the years, the company ventured further back, in search of more value, petrochemicals, refining, oil and gas exploration and production. He is thinking of taking his projects globally through acquisitions. Oil industry pundits say, The east-west pipeline that is stated to start flowing gas by this time next year will change the matrix for energy users. The recent acquisitions in Malaysia and Africa are forerunners to the unfolding of and acquisition-led strategy. For more than by mapping out a global foot print Mr.Anand Mahindra drew his groups success by matching Indias emergence as an auto hub by creating Mahindra Systech. M&M has increased its focus in the western region. Apart from its bread and butter, auto and farm equipment businesses, the group now has a solid presence in IT and Telecom services, Infrastructure and in financial services.

With the advanced growth, M&M sustains the economic and industrial momentum of the state. The reinvention of fortune whets by Bajaj Auto, gave greater presence in the auto segments, specialty in the personal mobility space. Rajiv Bajaj focuses on keeping the total cost of ownership down and the four wheeler is a highly fuel efficient passenger car in collaboration with French car maker Renault.Mr. Bajaj is keen on building the image of the company that makes the most expensive bikes from an image of a decade ago as the maker of the cheapest scooters. He follows an inside- out approach with the customers of the market on the whole. Well capitalized market players who practice disciplined innovation can help companies and individuals achieve their financial goals, but they need to function under the watchful eyes of a fair and tough market regulators.Mr. Meleveetil Damodaran, Chairman, SEBI is working with global regulators to tackle money laundering and other illegal activates. He is keen to ensure that the retail investors do not end up getting short-charged in the process. Hemendra Kothari, chairman, DSP Merrill Lynch international represents the fourth generation of a family of prominent stock brokers and can be credited for having added Merrill Lynch to the companys map thereby transforming what was traditional Indian brokerage house into a international investment banking and broking company. The avenues they explored include private equity and assisting Indian corporate to expand internationally. He believes in a disciplined approach to investing based on fundamentals and valuations. The western Region has been a favored stamping ground of foreign investors because of business conditions quality of governance and the manpower. Foreign investors have therefore sunk in large amounts of money to develop projects and this has been done organically and through large acquisitions. India-born Mr. Arun Sarin, CEO, Vodafone is playing in the global area by balancing friendly relations. Vodafone has brought in considerable handsets sourcing market but how it will compete with the ubiquitous grey market is yet to be seen. The sooner Mr. Sarin localizer, the better it will be for his Indian customer

The range of capital, no doubt a key factor that drives entrepreneurship. In the region Mr. K.V Kamath, MD and CEO, ICICI bank contributed for bringing up high-end banking services to the common man and to the creation of a retail lending culture in India, he recognizes the importance of human capital in the country and hence he is all set to create a skill issue in India. While men may go and men may come, the enterprising ones figure out how to survive and fuel a thousand dreams for fellow citizens to follow. They have shown the guts to follow their instinct and pull off the impossible. Our list of Chief Ministers,businessmen,entrepreneurs,members of NGOs and bureaucrats have scaled up successful businesses, and inspired several others to do the same.