From the indomitable steel baron, whose extravagant wealth continues to stun the world, to the man the richest person in the world trusts; from a homegrown intellectual, the epitome of old world grace in an increasingly aggressive race of ideas, to the reigning queen of fizz, Indians abroad have made the nation a brand often at odds with the scam-ridden domestic reality. And it's not just old world academics or bricks-and-mortar businessmen. The Indian elite has conquered the mindscape. There's the chief medical correspondent at CNN, an award-winning popular journalist who hosts world leaders and celebrities on his prime-time television show, and a banker who bails out bankrupt nations. India Today's list of the Top 10 Overseas Indians is a charmed circle that crosses continents with classic ease.
Industrialist L N Mittal
61, Industrialist (1)
True Grit
Because as the owner of the world's largest steel company, ArcelorMittal, he is the fifth richest person in the world, with a personal wealth of $28.7 billion, and is 44th on the Forbes list of the world's most powerful people.
Because he wields enormous influence as the vice-chairman of the World Steel Association and as a board member of the prime minister's Global Advisory Council of Overseas Indians.
Because Karnataka has rolled out the red carpet for him to set up his first steel plant in India, as he brings in an investment of Rs 30,000 crore and the potential for employing 10,000 people.
Because he is fuelling India's Olympic dream by setting up the $9-million Mittal Champions Trust, which supports promising athletes who are potential world champions.
Because in addition to his three mansions on Billionaire's Row in London's Kensington Palace Gardens, he now plans to convert a 340-acre country estate in Surrey bought for 5.25 million pounds into his personal, eco-friendly haven at a makeover price tag of 25 million pounds.
Did you know That his wife Usha, the daughter of a moneylender, was his first financial adviser?
Business Executive Ajit Jain
60, Business Executive (2)
Safe Bet
Because he is tipped to inherit the legacy of the world's third richest person and legendary reinsurance giant, Warren Buffet, who says he has "added billions of dollars to the value of Berkshire".
Because Buffett, named one of the most influential global thinkers in Foreign Policy's 2010 report, believes that even kryptonite bounces of the "irreplaceable" Jain and says he gets smarter by merely speaking with him every day.
Because under him, Berkshire Hathaway's profits have risen from $5.19 billion in 2009 to $7.9 billion in 2010.
Because he takes risks that others avoid-he insured the Sears Tower in Chicago, America's tallest building, after 9/11.
Because he has just spent $14.65 million on an amazing new home at One Beacon Court in midtown Manhattan.
Power quote "Jain has created an insurance business with a float of $30 billion and significant underwriting profits, a feat that no CEO of any other insurer has come close to matching," says Buffet.
Did you know That Jain often does his travel reservations himself?
Economist and Philosopher Amartya Sen
78, Economist and Philosopher (3)
Conscience Keeper
Because though he has Prime Minister Manmohan Singh undivided loyalty, he doesn't shy away from voicing his dissent over his policies.
Because an embattled prime minister treasures a character certificate from him.
Because at a time when India swears by the maximal mantra, he ridicules India's fixation with China's growth rate and calls for "justice" alongside growth.
Because as the New Statesman's 43rd most influential person in 2010, he is a globally acknowledged influential opinion maker.
Because his radical research has influenced the UN's Human Development Report, and his opinion is sought after by government organisations, both in India and abroad.
Did you know That he is a self-proclaimed atheist?
Entrepreneur Indra K Nooyi
Cereal Queen
Because she tops Fortune's list of 50 Most Powerful Women in Business in 2010 and is one of America's highest paid CEOs with a pay package of $13.97 million.
Because she is one of the names tipped to succeed Tata Group's chairman Ratan Tata.
Because despite her proximity to US President Barack Obama, she rejects America's anti-outsourcing moves to fight unemployment- "Globalisation cannot be reversed," she claims.
Because she invented a new language when she said, "We see the emerging opportunity to 'snackify' beverages and 'drinkify' snacks as the next frontier in food and beverage convenience."
Because, in 2010, Fortune magazine listed her as one among the eight visionaries who are being seen to lead their industries in the years ahead.
Did you know That as a "poor Indian student", she did summer jobs in saris. Once she went for an interview in a $50 business suit and orange snowboots like "the ultimate country bumpkin"?
Journalist Fareed Zakaria
47, Journalist (8)
The Newsmaker
Because he is the man America trusts to explain the post-9/11 Islamic world to them.
Because despite having supported Barack Obama during his campaign for presidency, he has criticised the "fear-based" policies employed not only in combating terrorism, but also in framing immigration laws and pursuing trade, and has argued instead for an open and confident US.
Because his move from Newsweek to its rival Time last year was considered the biggest story in print.
Because his show Fareed Zakaria GPS on CNN is the stomping ground of world leaders and international statesmen.
Did you know At 28, he became the managing editor of Foreign Affairs?
Banker Anshuman Jain
47, Banker (New)
Bank Baron
Because he is tipped to succeed as co-head of Deutsche Bank, Germany's largest private bank, which is now also the second largest player in the global debt market.
Because he is responsible for Deutsche Bank's global corporate finance, sales and trading, and transaction banking businesses.
Because he received Risk magazine's lifetime achievement award last year.
Because he recently led Deutsche Bank's team advising the UK treasury on financial stability.
Did you know That he was born in Jaipur, did his graduation from Delhi University, a masters in finance from Massachusetts, US, and now lives in London?
Hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal
59, Hotelier (7)
The American Friend
Because though he is "close friends" with Bill and Hillary Clinton and several other Democrat leaders in America, even the all-powerful Barack Obama cannot ignore Sant Singh Chatwal's massive influence as he helped raise over $10 million for his bid for presidency.
Because he invites controversy as often as he shrugs it off, whether it's his Padma Bhushan award or his role in the no-confidence motion in 2010.
Because he is the owner of the $750-million Hampshire Hotel chain and Resorts Bombay Palace, with hotels or private destinations in most major capitals of the world.
Because he is on the must-invite list of all US state dinners.
Did you know That Chatwal, who currently owns and manages 14 hotels in four countries, savours simple food such as khichdi and jeera aloo?
Neurosurgeon and TV Personality Sanjay Gupta
41, Neurosurgeon and TV Personality (11)
Sweet Medicine
Because the chief medical correspondent of CNN and former adviser to Hillary Clinton is the most charismatic neurosurgeon on television, chasing medical emergencies whether in Iraq or Japan.
Because men like Bill Gates use his show, Colorful Conversations, as a launch pad as in February 2011, when the founder of Microsoft announced on the show that he would donate $10 billion towards polio vaccinations for children around the world within a decade.
Because his coverage of the Haiti earthquake with Anderson Cooper in 2010 was endorsed by television queen Oprah Winfrey, who referred to him as CNN's hero.
Did you know That he was named one of the Sexiest Men of 2003 by Peoplemagazine?
Economist Jagdish Bhagwati
77, Economist (15)
Fair Trade
Because he ignited a worldwide debate on growth vs equity, challenging Amartya Sen's plea to end "our obsession with growth".
Because he is a leading authority on trade and development and has served as a special policy adviser on globalistion to the United Nations.
Because he is a leading advocate of free trade and will present the case for multilateral free trade at the 2011 Adda B. Bozeman Lecture In International Affairs at the Sarah Lawrence College in New York.
Because together with Peter Sutherland he chaired the interim report on the Doha Round in 2011 sponsored by Germany, the UK, Indonesia and Turkey.
Because early last year, he was appointed to the advisory board of the Institute for Migrant Rights in Cianjur, Indonesia.
Did you know That after he advised Indira Gandhi to devalue the currency, he left India in 1966 for New York because he wanted to marry fellow economist Padma Desai?
Economist Raghuram Rajan
48, Economist (16)
The Forecaster
Because the former International Monetary Fund economist was named among the world's seven most powerful analysts by Nouriel Roubini in a compilation for Forbes.
Because he was one of the first economists to recognise the flaws on Wall Street which led to the US and global financial crisis.
Because his book, Fault Lines, won the 2010 Financial Times and Goldman SachsBusiness Book of the Year Award and is considered a must-read for economic observers.
Because he heads a poll by The Economist of thinkers with the most important ideas for a post-crisis world.
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