BUILDING RESILIENCE

Stories of risk, reward, and resolve aplenty at Fortune India's 40 Under 40 awards.

- BY FORTUNE INDIA

FORTUNE INDIA'S 40 Under 40 event, which took place on August 9 at Mumbai's Taj Lands End hotel, was a picture of bonhomie. The 40 Under 40 list, which is brought out by Fortune India every year, is a compendium of the most successful people from the world of business who are under the age of 40. The list has both first-time entrepreneurs whose companies have left an indelible mark on the business landscape of the country; and also next-generation leaders from some of India's storied corporate houses, taking the legacy of their families ahead.

The event began with Sourav Majumdar, editor-in-chief, Fortune India, pointing out that 70% of India's population is below the age of 35. "It is hardly surprising that young minds will be critical in powering India's journey towards a developed economy status," he said.

After his remarks, the event segued into various panel discussions with founders/CEOs and three fireside chats involving serial entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala, NSE MD & CEO Ashish Chauhan, and L Catterton India executive chairman Sanjiv Mehta.

The event drew to a close with Rajashree Birla, chairperson, Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, along with Ashish Chauhan, Sanjiv Mehta, and Sourav Majumdar, felicitating the winners.

REINVENTING LEGACIES

Reddy said that each generation will do something different. “We started with Equal three years ago. In three years, we have 95 million Indians as customers. We process a billion transactions. We are India’s largest data-sharing company,” said the scion of the GVK Group. While GVK built physical infrastructure with power, airports and roads, Reddy is building digital infrastructure. “The next five years are going to be even more exciting. The vision is to have half the country using us or about 500 million users,” said Reddy.