The Torchbearers

As I begin to write about ‘how we did it’ – in adopting a process to pick India’s Most Influential Women (MIW) - I am tempted to avoid the usual cliché about breaking ‘the glass ceiling’ etc. As far as I am concerned, not just the ceiling but the whole edifice was smashed by wonderfully talented women a long time ago. I would instead, take you back to the time in January, when Kamala Devi Harris became the first woman Vice President of the United States, and how women across the world cheered her. In India too, the announcement generated a celebratory atmosphere given the fact that her mother was of Indian descent.

For us, a key aspect was to cheer the fact that an Indian woman had received recognition on the international stage. Over the years, there have of course, been many such examples of Indian women achieving glory both internationally as well as here in India and we are all so connected these days that news travels faster and is amplified manifold.

Every year, we at BW Businessworld, put together a list of the Most Influential Women. These women like the example above, have excelled in their sectors and have made an impact on society as well. Carrying on with the tradition, this year too, our senior editorial board got together to brainstorm on the names for this year’s list.

The whole process of coming up with the list takes several rounds of deliberations. It involves heated debates and at times, bruised egos. Each name on the list has to score high on the list of parameters laid out and it is only after a rigorous process of jury discussion that a name makes it to the list.

In addition to excelling in their chosen fields, the ladies featured this year have had an impact on the economic health of their industry sectors. They have given back to society and have also been an inspiration to younger women in their field.

THE LIST 
The list this year, like those from previous years, brings forward names from across sectors. A few names you will notice, were in last year’s list as well. These are women who have persistently shone through despite the tough competition. Some new names on this year’s list are Suchitra Ella, JMD, Bharat Biotech, actress and entrepreneur Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Isha Ambani, the young scion of Reliance Industries and Karuna Nundy, a young Supreme Court advocate.

The list this year has 50 super women who have made a big impact on the economy and society last year - which was a very tough year. Covid-19 has disrupted every sector and so, it has been an uphill climb for all. Not only have these ladies survived but they have thrived during this past year of difficulty.

Another important aspect taken into consideration when drawing up the list, was picking names of leaders who are building not just for the ‘now’ but for the future, which incidentally, is the hallmark of a true leader. It is always easy to build for yourself and to live in the present but the question is, what will your legacy be? And that is something that our list endeavours to answer.

In the pages ahead, you will find that we have tried to paint a picture of some of these wonderfully talented women. Of the top 50 MIW, we have written about 35 in some detail to give you an idea of what we saw in them, when compiling the list.