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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Secures 32nd Spot on Forbes’ Most Powerful Women List Alongside Notable Indian Figures
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been ranked 32nd in Forbes’ prestigious list of the world’s most powerful women, sharing the spotlight with prominent personalities like US Vice President Kamala Harris and musician Taylor Swift.
Joining her in this distinguished lineup are three other accomplished Indian women: HCL Corporation CEO Roshni Nadar Malhotra (ranked 60), Steel Authority of India Chairperson Soma Mondal (ranked 70), and Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (ranked 76).
The top positions on the list are claimed by European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, followed by European Central Bank head Christine Lagarde at second place, and US Vice President Kamala Harris at the third spot.
Nirmala Sitharaman, India’s first full-time Finance Minister since May 2019, also oversees the Corporate Affairs ministry. With a diverse background that includes roles at the UK’s Agricultural Engineers Association and BBC World Service, she has made significant contributions to Indian politics and policymaking, according to Forbes. Additionally, she has served as a member of the National Commission for Women.
Roshni Nadar Malhotra, daughter of HCL founder Shiv Nadar, holds the position of HCL Technologies’ Chairperson, making strategic decisions for the company. Taking over from her father in July 2020, she continues to steer the company toward success.
Soma Mondal, the first woman chairperson of the state-run Steel Authority of India (SAIL), assumed her role in 2021 and has led the steelmaker to remarkable financial growth. Under her leadership, SAIL’s profits tripled in her first year.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, described by Forbes as one of India’s wealthiest self-made women, founded the biopharmaceutical firm Biocon in 1978. The company boasts Asia’s largest insulin factory in Malaysia’s Johor region.
This collective recognition on Forbes’ list highlights the achievements and influence of these accomplished Indian women on the global stage.
