60. Mohan Bhagwat, 57
RSS General Secretary
Why
Mohan Bhagwat has the most powerful voice in the RSS today—the man who runs the show. The RSS General Secretary is tipped to take over as the organisation’s chief from K.S. Sudarshan one day.
Power punch
Bhagwat brought a semblance of order when various RSS offshoots and personalities engaged in vicious turf-wars and ego tussles. He is known to have played the moderator on several ocassions. At the RSS-BJP meeting at L.K. Advani’s residence in January this year, the Sangh Parivar brass agreed to the autonomy of the BJP, thanks to Bhagwat’s pragmatic approach.
What next
Bhagwat will consolidate his position once he takes over the reins of the RSS. He will play a key role in deciding the future leadership of the BJP.

61. Prannoy Roy, 59
Chairman, NDTV
Why
He is the elder statesman of broadcast journalism and its most credible face. One of the most influential media barons in the country, he owns a bouquet of channels.
Power punch
An economist and psephologist, Roy's TV career began in 1984 when he anchored the first election analysis on Doordarshan and predicted the outcome correctly. Roy, along with wife Radhika, created NDTV in 1998. When NDTV produced Tonight for Doordarshan, it marked the first serious foray into daily news by a private Indian company.
What next
With the economy in downslide, the market is watching this most innovative of strategists. And with polls round the corner, it's time again to see Roy, the election analyst.

62. Sister Nirmala, 64
Superior General of Missionaries of Charity
Why
She heads one of the world’s most powerful charities. Having succeeded Mother Teresa in 1997, Sister Nirmala leads about 5,000 sisters and many brothers in over 136 countries of the world.
Power punch
In August 2008, she wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, urging the Centre’s intervention in the violence that had been unleashed in Kandhamal district of Orissa. Following this, extra protection was given to the state.
What next
In these troubled times, Sister Nirmala is urging people across the world to follow the path of peace, all the while keeping away from the spotlight. In the past 10 years, around 120 new homes of the Missionaries of Charity have been added to her list.

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