India (Commonwealth Union)_ The recently released Forbes’ List of Most Powerful Women for 2023 boasts the inclusion of four accomplished individuals hailing from India, a testament to their ability to transcend conventional barriers and assert their influence on the global stage. These women, through their noteworthy achievements, not only exemplify resilience, leadership, and excellence but also underscore the diverse and impactful voices emanating from the Indian landscape. Forbes employed a comprehensive assessment, considering financial standing, media presence, societal impact, and spheres of influence, to determine the rankings.
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Nirmala Sitharaman
Leading the charge at rank 32 is Nirmala Sitharaman, a 64-year-old luminary within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who has held the positions of India’s Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs since 2019. Having previously served as the 28th Defence Minister from 2017 to 2019, Sitharaman is distinguished as India’s second female to occupy both the defense and finance ministerial roles, following in the footsteps of Indira Gandhi. Her ascent in the rankings, from 36th in 2022 to 32nd in 2023, underscores her sustained influence.
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Roshni Nadar Malhotra
Securing the 60th position is Roshni Nadar Malhotra, a 42-year-old billionaire and philanthropist. As the chairperson of HCL Technologies, she etched her name in history as the first woman to lead a publicly listed IT company in India. Recognized as the wealthiest woman in India, according to the IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich List (2019), Malhotra has been a consistent presence on Forbes’ list, with rankings of 54th in 2019, 55th in 2020, and now 60th in 2023.
Soma Mondal
At the 70th position is Soma Mondal, a 60-year-old trailblazer serving as the Chairperson of the Steel Authority of India since January 2021. With an academic background in Electrical Engineering and over 35 years of experience in the metal industry, Mondal’s journey from NALCO to becoming the first woman in her current role at SAIL showcases her dedication and leadership. Beyond her corporate milestones, she holds the esteemed position of Chairperson of SCOPE and received the ‘CEO of the Year’ honor at the ETPrime Women Leadership Awards in 2023.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Securing the 76th rank is Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, a 70-year-old influential entrepreneur. The founder of Biocon Limited and Biocon Biologics Limited in Bangalore, India, Mazumdar-Shaw has left an indelible mark on the biotechnology sector. Beyond her corporate endeavors, she served as the former chairperson of the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. Honored with the Othmer Gold Medal in 2014 and recognized by Forbes as the 68th most powerful woman globally in 2019, Mazumdar-Shaw continues to solidify her legacy, ranking 76th in the Forbes List of powerful women for 2023.
