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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MAY 03, 2024 | The Indian Eye 26

8 Indian-origin stars sparkle

on the Time 100 Most Influential People of 2024

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
IME released its list of the 100 Most Influ-
ential People for 2024 on Wednesday. The
Tannual list, which asks cultural and political
icons to highlight the changemakers of the past
year, features dozens of athletes, entertainers, art-
ists and politicians. The list includes politicians,
business leaders, artists, icons, movie stars, athletes,
and scientists who have made significant impact in
their fields.
There are 8 Indians or Indian-origin per-
sonalities who have shone in their area of ex-
pertise, featuring on the list. Equally emminent
personalities write about these shining stars.

DEV PATEL
Dev radiates goodness. His humanity
shines through every time he graces the screen,
leaving you no choice but to root for him even
when his character is doing something foul;
his presence makes you understand where he’s
coming from. Giving us a fierce, soulful empa- ity. Microsoft’s significant investment in OpenAI the largest economic-development programs the
thy, a channeled rage, shades of him we have yet and partnership with Mistral AI puts him at the world has ever seen. His work may well usher in an
to see—knowing he was so into martial arts during forefront of the artificial-intelligence revolution. unprecedented era of green and clean prosperity,
Skins, he’s brought it all together. Monkey Man is A technologist with heart, Satya sees AI as a tool and of course new jobs.
his moment, and an incredible directorial debut.
that will empower humans. Still, there’s rightful
ALIA BHATT concern about unintended consequences and mis- ASMA KHAN
use. That’s why it’s so reassuring that Satya is one
Alia Bhatt is a formidable talent. She is not only of AI’s stewards. His thoughtfulness and humility Her acclaimed London restaurant, Darjeeling
one of the world’s leading actors, admired for her should make us safer. Express, has an all-female kitchen. Most chefs are
older South Asian immigrants who lack formal
work in the Indian film industry for over a decade— training. Asma is not only interested in doing the
she is also a businesswoman and a philanthropist AJAY BANGA right thing, she’s a shrewd businesswoman too.
who leads with integrity. Alia’s superpower is her It’s not easy to find a leader with the skill and South Asian aunties know the cuisine best. Many
ability to mix movie-star magnetism with authen- drive to take on the monumental task of trans- Indian restaurants in the West have menus where
ticity and sensitivity. As an actor she is luminous, forming an essential institution, but since becom- everything kind of tastes the same. But Asma’s
and as a person she brings the grounded assurance ing World Bank president last June, Ajay Banga food is surprising. It doesn’t taste like restaurant
and creativity that make a truly international star.
has done just that. Ajay comes to the World Bank food—and that is the highest compliment.
SAKSHI MALIK after leading a global organization through which
he brought millions of unbanked people into the PRIYAMVADA NATARAJAN
In early 2023, a handful of India’s most cel- digital economy. At the World Bank, Ajay set forth
For astronomers, seeing evidence in the sky of
ebrated wrestlers gathered at Jantar Mantar—a a new vision to create a world free of poverty on something predicted from pure theory brings with
popular protest site in Delhi. Notable among them a livable planet and moved boldly to make good it a special joy. A burst of excitement as a puzzle
was 31-year-old Sakshi Malik, India’s first and only on it—from pioneering innovative financial tools piece falls into place. In November, a novel ap-
female wrestler to win an Olympic medal. to reimagining partnerships across the multilateral proach developed years ago by Priyamvada Na-
“This fight is no longer only for India’s female development banks and with the private sector.
wrestlers,” said Malik of the movement she helped tarajan brought us closer to under standing a basic
mystery in astron omy: How do the supermassive
spark, “it is for the daughters of India whose voices JIGAR SHAH black holes that lurk at the centers of most galax-
have been silenced time and again.” Sakshi Ma- Relentlessly optimistic, pioneering, and pas- ies form? She had speculated that they might have
lik—in an emotional, public, and very brave act sionate, Jigar Shah has dedicated his life to unlock- gotten a jump start in the very early universe if
of defiance—quit the sport. She did not, however, ing the entrepreneurial opportunity that lies in a clouds of gas collapsed to form massive black-hole
quit the battle. Her light, and the light of all those clean-energy transition. And as director of the U.S. “seeds” that then grew within their host galaxies
standing against harassment, continues to shine.
Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office, he over billions of years. It took the piercing gaze of
SATYA NADELLA is demonstrating how this truly is one of the great- the James Webb Space Telescope to finally observe
est opportunities of our time. Overseeing more a galaxy so far back in cosmic time, and with a cen-
Satya Nadella is profoundly influential in shap- than $200 billion in government loans to bring en- tral black hole so massive, that what scientists saw
ing our future. And that’s a good thing for human- ergy innovation to the market, Jigar leads one of could be explained naturally by Priya’s theory.

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