01. Vikram Pandit: For being yet another Indian to head one of the world's biggest corporate groups, tasked with getting Citigroup out of an unprecedented crisis.
02. Kiran Desai: For becoming one of the most influential Indian writers, who has earned rare respect in the western literary circuit.
03. Sunita Williams: For breaking the record for longest single spaceflight by a woman, and in the process inspiring thousands of Indian children to dream of being an astronaut.
04. Indra Nooyi: For securing the ultimate position of chairperson and CEO in PepsiCo, a feat achieved in the world's most hard nosed corporate environment.
05. Arun Sarin: For piloting more than 11 Billion U.S dollars foreign direct investment in India, one of the largest ever.
06. Fareed Zakaria: For his outstanding achievement in the world of international journalism and being known as one of the most respected columnists, commentators and authors.