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The list, which was released last night, includes fiery chief executives, brilliant politicians and beloved queens, but the model for all women who seek influence, is the cautious and uncharismatic German Chancellor, Angela Merkel.
Nooyi is listed as the third most powerful woman in the world, while Sonia Gandhi Kochhar and Shaw are ranked 13, 20 and 91 respectively. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed is the only other South Asian in the list and is ranked 78.
Americans make up 63 of the 100, while only four women from Britain make the grade
In assembling the list, Forbes looked for women who run countries, big companies or influential nonprofits. Their rankings are a combination of two scores: visibility - by press mentions - and the size of the organization or country these women lead.
Besides Gandhi and Kochhar, Biocon's chairman Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw also featured in the list at number 91.
Gandhi improved her ranking from 21 last year to 13 this year, while Mazumdar-Shaw moved to 91 from last year's 99th place.
Nooyi retained her third position in the list.
Bahujan Samajwadi Party leader and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, who was ranked 59th in last year's list, did not figure in the latest list put up on Forbes.com.
Regarding Gandhi, Forbes said, she is "still the country's dominant force since she reluctantly entered politics in the 1990s." The landslide victory in the recent general election further strengthened her position as the leader of "India's most powerful political party" – Indian National Congress.
Kochhar was named as the first woman boss of India's second largest lender ICICI Bank and took charge in May this year. "She now oversees a bank with assets of USD 100 billion," Forbes said. She was instrumental in transforming the retail business of ICICI Bank and turning it into a retail banking powerhouse.
Besides, Anglo American Chief Cynthia Carroll, Temasek CEO Ho Ching, Kraft Foods Chief Irene Rosenfeld, DuPont head Ellen Kullman, WellPoint CEO Angela Braly, Areva Chief Anne Lauvergeon and Sunoco head Lynn Elsenhans are among the top 10 powerful women.
Interestingly, speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (35) was ranked ahead of Hillary Clinton (36), the US Secretary of State, Michelle Obama (40), the first lady of the US, and Queen Elizabeth II (42).
Other dignitaries in list are Melinda Gates (34), the Co-chairman Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Oprah Winfrey (41), Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed (78) and Chile President Michelle Bachelet (22) among others.
Forbes' Powerful Women list is based largely in terms of influence rather than celebrity status or popularity.
In assembling the list, Forbes looked for women who run countries, big companies or influential nonprofits.
"Their rankings are a combination of two scores: visibility -- by press mentions -- and the size of the organisation or country these women lead," the US-based magazine said.
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I am sure the other 19 in the list feel insulted that they have been bracketed with Sonia.
I think in real terms, no woman on the list is more powerful or perhaps more beautiful(if the picture of Sonia in the story is any indication). Of course, the jingoists of BJP/RSS would not agree with me on my assessment of true Indian Lady, that Sonia is.
What are Sonia's achievements for Forbes to consider? 1. Indian government's collaboration with the Sri Lankan government to commit war crimes and genocide against Tamils? 2. Indian government's vote against the UN Human Rights investigation in Sri Lanka. This shows that India does not believe in democracy, Human rights, transparancy and fair justice.3. Where did she study? What has she achieved and her contribution to public service? Has Sonia eradicated corruption in India? It is shame to support someone who has no background except just married to a member of the Nehru-Indra Gandhi family. This shows how stupid are the Indians.
As Sonia gets more poerful, India's image sinks lower and lower and the Congress men and women look bigger and bigger monkeys.
There is a difference between earning respect ( Power ) and getting respect ( Power )if Sonia is among the top 20 powerful women then it is thanks to the Indian people who are among the top 20 stupid citizens.
i am realy impres
A novelist seeking to tell the story of Sonia Gandhi may be forgiven for seeing a fairy-tale element in the narrative: Beautiful foreigner comes to strange new land and marries handsome prince. They enjoy years of bliss, until the prince is obliged, in painful circumstances, to take over the kingdom and discovers the harsh realities of ruling a turbulent realm, culminating in the unspeakable tragedy of his murder. The queen retreats into silence and mourning until the insistent supplications of her courtiers compel her to emerge and once again take the destiny of the kingdom into her hands. Bliss to triumph to tragedy to triumph again — a classic tale;But there is a twist to the tale. For the queen, offered the crown on a brocade cushion, turns it down. She prefers to remain behind the throne, walking with the peasantry, rallying the people but leaving power in the hands of her gray-haired viziers. The story of Sonia Gandhi is remarkable at every level...
Indeed she is one of the powerfull women in the world.Not to forget she is the Rome queen leading the largest democracy in the world.
Heartiest congratulations to you, but at the same time I feel disgusted at impotency, bankruptcy of our own political system that worships Gandhi - Nehru dynasty. I am sure that your assent to this coveted position is more because of your family name "Gandhi" than your deeds. India is sliding in all respects, Health care, Education, civic hygiene, civic sense where we are rated lowest in the world and only in one department where we can raise our head high is "CORRUPTION" - Madam please take care of Buta Singh, Sibtey Razi, and prove yourself before Indians too. Your image has gone high on account of MMS – thanks to him as he on date is the weakest head of Legislature in the world. Have you seen advertisement of detergent in India where they compare strip painted with different shades of cream to prove their white is the real white - similarly MMS had been used as this strip to prove you as amongst the strongest few.
Your view that the Gandhi family, which includes Italian Sonia, is clean, is pathetic. Corruption in the country starts with the family and that is why it is widespread in the country. If the family was clean and gave honesty and efficiency the priority and attention they deserved, India would not be known as one of the most corruption-ridden countries in the world.