Forbes India - Feb 19, 2010 Issue

ISSUE DATE Feb 19, 2010

Call of the Nation

The Prime Minister's plan to induct outstanding people from the corporate sector into governance is well-timed - his agenda needs fresh ideas and better implementation skills. Already, four business leaders have answered the call: management consultant Arun Maira, Infosys' Nandan Nilekani, entrepreneur Shailesh Gandhi, and M&M's Capt. Raghu Raman. What will it take to make this experiment work? Forbes India chronicles their journey so far.

In Full Flight

Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes' transformed the struggling AirAsia into Asia's most successful low-cost airline. He has his sights focussed on India now. But making his no-frills model work here won't be easy, as ground handling and security costs remain high at Indian airports.

Room at the Top

Mumbai's real estate market is being transformed by a crop of new-age builders. In a city notorious for its tiny flats, they are betting big on building super large apartments with every modern amenity conceivable.

The Transformer

The country's first mutual fund, UTI Mutual Fund, had lost its direction and reputation. But in the last four years, under the leadership of civil servant U.K. Sinha, the fund has seen some radical changes and is now making a surprising comeback.