Forbes India - Dec 04, 2009 Issue

ISSUE DATE Dec 04, 2009

India Rich List Special

The 2009 list of the 100 richest Indians shows that the nation's billionaires have done much better than their counterparts elsewhere. Last year, there were 27 billionaires; this year there are 52. Though the combined wealth of the top 40 is down 35 percent from the 2007 peak, they are worth $228 billion. Last year they were worth $139 billion. And guess what? While China has 79 billionaires, the 100 richest Indians are worth $276; their Chinese counterparts are worth of $170 billion.

The Purpose of Wealth

The 100 richest Indians have a unique opportunity to deploy their expertise and wealth to build a better society. Some have involved themselves deeply in doing this; for many others, it's limited to writing an occasional cheque. What holds them back?

In a Class of His Own

Ranked 57 on the list, Educomp's Shantanu Prakash built his wealth on the back of a business model aimed at improving the quality of education in schools with the help of computer-aided lessons. Prakash now wants to take his company to the next level, by starting schools of his own.

Just What the Doctor Ordered

A rocky year took a toll on most domestic drug makers. But Desh Bandhu Gupta's (ranked 42) Lupin survived the crisis, thanks to its conservative strategy - it didn't go for volumes in the generic drugs business. Now Lupin is charting out a new strategy by launching branded drugs in the US.