Alia Bhatt, Shakshi Malik make it to the Times Magazine’s 100 most influential people
The Times Magazine’s renowned list of the 100 most influential people of 2024 includes eight people of Indian origin, including actress Alia Bhatt, Olympian wrestler Sakshi Malik, actor-director Dev Patel, and others. The list released on Wednesday contains a wide range of leaders from finance, entertainment, activism, technology, and academia hailing from various countries around the world.
The list takes into account business figures, artists, athletes, politicians, icons, movie stars, and scientists who have left a remarkable mark in their respective domains. The complete list is divided into four categories: heroes, artists, leaders, and thinkers. The eight individuals are mentioned below: –
Ajay Banga
Ajay Banga, former CEO of MasterCard, has ascended to a prominent position as President of the World Bank, one of the foremost multilateral development institutions globally. Banga’s Times profile, written by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, lauds his exceptional leadership in transforming the global institution. Underscoring the rarity of finding a leader with both the skill and drive for such a monumental task.
Since assuming the role in June of the previous year, Banga has earned recognition for his visionary approach to tackling poverty and confronting the complexities of climate change. Born in Pune, India, Banga completed his education at St. Stephen’s College in Delhi before obtaining US citizenship in 2007.
Alia Bhatt
Alia Bhatt, born in Mumbai on November 15, 1993, hails from a family deeply connected to Bollywood. She made her debut in Karan Johar’s “Student of the Year” (2012) and also holds British citizenship. Bhatt has garnered acclaim for her diverse roles, notably in the film “Gangubai Kathiawadi.”.
Director Tom Harper, who worked with Alia on “Heart of Stone,” praised her for seamlessly blending movie-star allure with genuine emotion.
Bhatt’s international debut on Netflix further underscored her talent and global impact, showcasing over a decade of contributions to Indian cinema alongside her philanthropic endeavours.
Asma Khan
Asma Khan, a British restaurateur with roots in India, has garnered acclaim for her culinary excellence and inventive culinary style showcased at her esteemed restaurant, Darjeeling Express, located in London.
Khan’s culinary journey embodies a blend of cultural richness, tradition, and innovation, reflecting her upbringing in Kolkata, India. Padma Lakshmi, in Khan’s Time profile, described her food as delightfully unexpected, defying the norms of typical restaurant cuisine—an accolade of the highest order.
Dev Patel
Dev Patel, a British actor of Indian heritage, has been commended by the Times for his impactful contributions to cinema, both as a performer and now as a director, with his debut film “Monkey Man.”
Renowned actor Daniel Kaluuya described Patel as someone who exudes a sense of goodness on screen and also highlighted Patel’s ability to convey humanity in every role, compelling viewers to empathise with his characters, even when they’re flawed.
Known for his roles in films like “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Life of Pi,” Patel has earned a spot on this year’s Time’s List, reflecting his enduring influence and talent in the industry.
Jigar Shah
Jigar Shah, Director of the Loan Programs Office at the US Department of Energy, has been acknowledged for his pivotal role in driving global development initiatives.
Richard Benson, a prominent business figure, noted that Shah oversees some of the most significant economic development programmes worldwide, thus earning him a spot on the Times 100 most influential people list.
Priyamvada Natarajan
Priyamvada Natarajan, a professor at Yale University, has been recognised by the Times for her pioneering work in astronomy, particularly in the exploration of dark matter and dark energy.
Natarajan has garnered praise from fellow astrophysicists for her innovative research methods, which have contributed to a deeper understanding of cosmic phenomena.
Shep Doeleman, an astrophysicist and director of the Event Horizon Telescope, commended Natarajan’s significant contribution to unravelling the mystery of how supermassive black holes form at the centres of galaxies.
Satya Nadella
Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, has earned his place on the list for the third time. The Times recognised Nadella’s pivotal role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) through Microsoft’s significant investments in open AI and partnership with Mistral AI.
The Times described Nadella as a technologist with a compassionate outlook who views AI as a tool to empower humanity and hailed him as a leader of ethical AI development.
Sakshi Malik
Sakshi Malik, India’s first female Olympic wrestling medallist, was recognised by the Times for her athletic achievements and bold stance against sexual harassment in sports.
Hailing from Rohtak, Haryana, her success in an otherwise male-dominated sport has inspired many aspiring athletes, especially girls.
Malik’s involvement in the protest against alleged sexual harassment by the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhusan Singh, underscored her commitment to justice and equality in sports.
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Nisha Pahuja highlighted Malik’s role in advocating for women’s rights in sports, particularly in the 2023 wrestler’s protest against sexual harassment within the Wrestling Federation of India.
