70. Raghav Bahl, 45
MD, Network18 Media & Investments
Why
He heads perhaps the fastest growing media group in India. His business news channel, CNBC-TV 18, and its Hindi counterpart, CNBC-Awaaz, are market leaders in the television business news segment. He also launched an entertainment channel in 2008.

Power punch
From anchoring programmes for Doordarshan in the 1980s, Bahl’s first break came in 1995 when he became content provider for ABNi. That led to a partnership with CNBC and the launch of CNBC-TV 18 in 1999. In 2005, he launched CNN-IBN.
What next
Bahl’s plans include making films such as Fruit and Nut with Boman Irani, syndications, and other films-related services. There is also talk of him launching a pink paper.

71. Prabhu Chawla, 64
Editor, India Today
Why
He joined the India Today group when it was in its infancy. He is the weekly newsmagazine’s current editor and is also the editorial director of The India Today Group. Besides, he hosts the TV talk show, Seedhi Baat, on Aaj Tak. Chawla is known to be an extremely influential political pundit envied for his political contacts. It is said that his name was on the shortlist of people who could enter Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s PMO without the usual rigorous security check.
Power punch
His report in 1997 in the India Today titled ‘Exclusive Damning Revelations’ on the Jain Commission report brought down the Gujral government.
What next
His aspiration is to move from writing and reporting to making news. And like many journalists, turn to politics.

... contd.