Forbes Billionaires 2022: The Richest People In The World
The Forbes billionaires 2022 list is out, which compiles the list of the world’s richest, who this time was hit by the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, coronavirus pandemic and sluggish markets. Elon Musk, the Tesla and SpaceX founder topped Forbes’ list for the first time ever with a net worth of $219 billion. Elon Musk is leading the Forbes billionaires list with a net worth of $219 billion, followed by Amazon chief Jeff Bezos at $171 billion.
America has most number of billionaires at 735 worth a collective net worth of $4.7 trillion, including Elon Musk, who tops the World’s Billionaires list for the first time. China (including Macau and Hong Kong) remains number two, with 607 billionaires worth a collective $2.3 trillion. Forbes uses stock prices and exchange rates from March 11, 2022, to calculate net worths.
Here is the list of the top 10 billionaires:
| Rank | Name | Net Worth | Country |
| 1 | Elon Musk | $219 B | Tesla, United States |
| 2 | Jeff Bezos | $171 B | Amazon, United States |
| 3 | Bernard Arnault & family | $158 B | LVMH, France |
| 4 | Bill Gates | $129 B | Microsoft, United States |
| 5 | Warren Buffett | $118 B | Berkshire Hathaway, US |
| 6 | Larry Page | $111 B | Google, United States |
| 7 | Sergey Brin | $107 B | Google, United States |
| 8 | Larry Ellison | $106 B | Oracle, United States |
| 9 | Steve Ballmer | $91.4 B | Microsoft, United States |
| 10 | Mukesh Ambani | $90.7 B | Reliance Ind Ltd, India |
Indian Scenario:
- Forbes Billionaires 2022: Men billionaires of India
Ambani ranked at the 10th position on the global list, followed narrowly by fellow industrialist and Adani Group founder Gautam Adani, whose fortune climbed by almost $40 billion over the past year, to an estimated $90 billion.
Here are the top 10 richest Indians on the Forbes Billionaires List 2022:
| Rank | Name | Net Worth | Company |
| 10th rank | Mukesh Ambani | ($90.7 billion) | Reliance Industries Ltd |
| 11th rank | Gautam Adani | ($90 billion) | Adani Group |
| 47th rank | Shiv Nadar | ($28.7 billion) | HCL Technologies |
| 56th rank | Cyrus Poonawalla | $24.3 billion) | Serum Institute of India |
| 81st rank | Radhakishan Damani | ($20 billion) | DMart |
| 89th rank | Lakshmi Mittal | ($17.9 billion) | ArcelorMittal |
| 91st rank | Savitri Jindal and family | ($17.7 billion) | O.P.Jindal Group |
| 106th rank | Kumar Birla | ($16.5 billion) | Aditya Birla Group |
| 115th rank | Dilip Sanghvi | ($15.6 billion) | Sun Pharmaceuticals |
| 129th rank | Uday Kotak | ($15.3 billion) | Kotak Mahindra Bank |
- Forbes Billionaires List 2022: Women billionaires of India
Savitri Jindal, the chairperson of the Jindal Group, is the richest woman in India, according to the Forbes’ Billionaires List 2022, with a net worth of $17.7 billion. A total of 11 Indian women, with 4 newcomers, joined the global rich list this year.
Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, cosmetics giant L’Oréal’s founder’s granddaughter, was listed as the richest woman in the world this year – with a net worth of $74.8 billion, according to the report. Meyers’ net worth increased significantly in the past two years, from $48.9 billion in 2020.
Here’s the list of Indian women on the Forbes Billionaires List 2022:
| Rank | Name | Net Worth | Company |
| 91. | Savitri Jindal | $17.7 billion | Jindal Group |
| 637. | Falguni Nayar | $4.5 billion | Nykaa |
| 778. | Leena Tewari | $3.8 billion | USV Private Limited |
| 913. | Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw | $3.3 billion | Biocon |
| 1238. | Smita Crishna-Godrej | $2.5 billion | Godrej |
| 1579. | Anu Aga | $1.9 billion | Thermax |
| 1645. | Mudula Parekh | $1.8 billion | Parekh Medisales Pvt Ltd |
| 1729. | Radha Vembu | $1.7 billion | Zoho Corporation |
| 2076. | Sara George Muthoot | $1.4 billion | Muthoot Finance Ltd |
| 2448. | Kavita Singhania | $1.1 billion | J K Cement |
| 2578. | Bhawari Bai Surana | $1 billion | Micro Labs |
Ramdarash Mishra named for Saraswati Samman 2021
Noted poet and litterateur Prof Ramdarash Mishra will be awarded the prestigious Saraswati Samman, 2021, for his collection of poems ‘Mein to Yahan Hun’, the KK Birla Foundation announced. The recipient is chosen by a selection committee, whose current head is Dr Subhash C Kashyap.
Prof Ramdarash Mishra was born in Dumri village in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur district on August 15, 1924, Mishra has excelled in different branches of Hindi literature. In a career spanning decades, the 98-year-old has to his credit 32 collections of poems, 15 novels, 30 short-story collections, 15 books of literary criticism, four collections of essays, travelogues, and several memoirs. He has also served as an important member of different Hindi consultative committees in various ministries and retired as a professor from the Hindi department of the University of Delhi.
About the Saraswati Samman:
Instituted in 1991, Saraswati Samman is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the country. It is given every year to an outstanding literary work written in any Indian language by an Indian citizen and published within the last 10 years. It carries a citation, a plaque, and a cash prize of Rs 15 lakhs. The recipient is chosen by a selection committee, whose current head is Dr Subhash C Kashyap, former secretary-general of the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda
International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is commemorated by UNESCO on April 07, every year. 2022 marks the 28th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, one of the darkest chapters in human history. On April 7th, the date where the genocide against members of the Tutsi began.
History of the day:
The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003. The day commemorates the beginning of the genocide perpetrated against members of the Tutsi minority by the Hutu extremist-led government. Within just over 100 days, more than 1 million Tutsi were systematically murdered. Moderate Hutu and others who opposed the massacres were also killed during this period.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- UNESCO formation: 4 November 1946;
- UNESCO Headquarters: Paris, France;
- UNESCO Director-General: Audrey Azoulay.
Ministry of Ayush’s Yoga Mahotsav begins at the Red Fort in Delhi
On World Health Day and the 75th day of the countdown to International Day of Yoga, the Ministry of Ayush is hosting a magnificent programme for the presentation of the Common Yoga Protocol in the backdrop of 15th August Park, Lal Quila, (Red Fort) Delhi. The program’s Chief Guest is slated to be Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla. Several Union Ministers, Members of Parliament, Ambassadors of several nations stationed in Delhi, famous Sports Celebrities, and Yoga Gurus are expected to attend the event.
KEY POINTS:
- The Ministry, in collaboration with its numerous stakeholders, has devised a 100-day countdown programme for the 8th International Day of Yoga, in which 100 organisations promote yoga in 100 different locations/cities.
- The Ministry of Ayush is the nodal ministry for the International Day of Yoga’s commemoration. The primary event of IDY is a Mass Yoga Demonstration, which is led by Prime Minister Modi every year. The IDY-2022 preparations are well underway.
- It’s worth noting that the 75-day countdown is an important part of the annual celebration of International Yoga Day. In the 75 days leading up to IDY-2022, the Ministry intends to create a Mass Movement for Health and Wellbeing through Yoga.
Because the 8th International Day of Yoga falls within the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav year, the Ministry advises commemorating IDY at 75 iconic locations around the country. This countdown effort is already underway, and IDY-2022 observation is gathering traction.
Government establishes a Semicon India advisory committee
The government announced the formation of a Semicon India advisory committee, which will include top government officials, established academicians, as well as industry and domain specialists. The Minister of Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, will head the Committee, with Rajeev Chandrashekhar, Minister of State, Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), as Vice-Chairperson. The convenor will be MeitY, the Secretary.
KEY POINTS:
- The Union Cabinet recently approved the ‘Semicon India’ programme, which will spend a total of 76,000 crore to strengthen the country’s semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem.
- Within Digital India Corporation, a specialised and dedicated “India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)” has been established to drive India’s ecosystem development strategies.
- The group would meet at least once every three months to provide crucial insights to help India’s ecosystem expand sustainably, it said, adding that the committee’s term will be one year, after which it will be reformed with the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology’s consent.
- The newly created Advisory Committee will lead the objectives in a systematic, efficient, and strategic manner, the government stated in a statement.
NTPC and GGL have agreed to combine Green Hydrogen into piped Natural Gas
With a sustained focus on the environment, NTPC has taken the initiative of blending green hydrogen in the GGL (Gujarat Gas Limited) Piped Natural Gas (PNG) network at NTPC Kawas. In the presence of Mohit Bhargava, CEO, NTPC REL & ED RE, NTPC, and Sanjeev Kumar, MD-GGL & GSPL, a formal agreement between the two firms was signed.
This hydrogen blending project at NTPC Kawas is a ground-breaking initiative and the country’s first of its type. This is a step toward decarbonizing the culinary sector and achieving energy self-sufficiency for the country.
KEY POINTS:
- Green hydrogen will be manufactured utilising power generated by NTPC Kawas’ current 1 MW floating solar facility. This will be mixed with PNG in a predetermined quantity and utilised at NTPC Kawas Township for culinary purposes.
- The initial percentage of hydrogen mixing in the PNG will be roughly 5%, with the percentage gradually increasing following successful completion.
- With a total installed capacity of 69 GW and a diverse fuel mix, NTPC is the country’s leading energy utility.
- The NTPC group aims to reach 60 GW of renewable energy in a decade and is now working on various green hydrogen experimental projects.
- GGL is India’s largest City Gas Distribution (CGD) company, with operations in 43 districts across six states and one union territory.
ADB Projects India’s economy to grow by 7.5% in FY23
Asian Development Bank projected a 7 per cent collective growth for South Asian economies in 2022 with the subregion’s largest economy India growing by 7.5 per cent in the current fiscal year before picking up to eight per cent the next year. However, uncertainties stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the continuing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and tightening by the United States Federal Reserve pose risks to the outlook.
The Manila-based multilateral funding agency, Asian Development Bank (ADB) has projected the GDP growth rate of the Indian economy, in its flagship Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2022, as follows:
- 2022-23 (FY23): 7.5 per cent
- 2023-24 (FY24): 8.0 per cent
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Asian Development Bank Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Philippines;
- Asian Development Bank President: Masatsugu Asakawa (from 17 January 2020);
- Asian Development Bank Membership: 68 countries;
- Asian Development Bank Founded: 19 December 1966.
Union Bank launches super-app UnionNXT and digital project SAMBHAV
Union Bank of India has launched its super-app named UnionNXT and digital transformation project SAMBHAV, with an investment outlay of around Rs 1,000 crore for the current financial year 2022-23 (FY23). The public sector lender expects recovery from the spending in two years and aims to have 50 per cent of business originating on the digital platform by 2025.
A banking super-app essentially combines a number of services, such as payments, online shopping, bill payments, recharges, investment, loans, and fund transfer, on a single platform. UBI’s super-apps is similar to the super-apps by other large lenders such as State Bank of India’s Yono, Bank of Baroda’s Bob world and HDFC Bank’s PayZapp and ICICI Bank’s iMobile.
Mumbai-based public sector lender will expand the ambit of super-app for the marketplace, that being able to use app features to make purchases of consumer products and services in the next phase. However, it did not specify a timeline for such an offering for the marketplace.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Union Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai;
- Union Bank of India CEO: Rajkiran Rai G. (1 Jul 2017–);
- Union Bank of India Founded: 11 November 1919, Mumbai.
RBI approves re-appointment of Murli Natarajan as MD-CEO of DCB Bank
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved an extension in the tenure of Murli M Natarajan as the managing director and chief executive officer (MD & CEO) of DCB Bank for a period of two years. His extended term will be applicable from April 29, 2022, to April 28, 2024. Natrajan is serving as MD & CEO of the bank since April 2009.
RBI has capped the tenure of bank chief executives at 15 years and Natrajan will complete 15 years at the helm of the bank in 2024. The re-appointment as above is subject to the approval of shareholders at the ensuing annual general meeting of the bank.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- DCB Bank Headquarters: Mumbai;
- DCB Bank CEO: Murali M. Natrajan (29 Apr 2009–);
- DCB Bank Founded: 1930.
Tamil Nadu government launched ‘Kaaval Uthavi’ app for public during emergency
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M K Stalin has launched the ‘Kaaval Uthavi’ app which helps citizens to seek police assistance during any emergency. The app is containing sixty features that are used to send an emergency alert to the police control room. By pressing the emergency red button, the user’s live location will be shared with the control room. The user can also identify the nearest police station/patrol vehicle.
The app comprises an emergency help and a dial facility (Dial-112/100/101). The Dial 100 facility has been integrated with the app. It also has a facility for mobile-based complaints and a location sharing facility.
Other features include Police Station Locator, Control Room Directory, Cyber Financial Related Complaint, Other Emergency Helplines, Alert / Notification messages, Vehicle Verification, e-payment of fines for traffic violations, Police Verification Services), Lost Document Report, TN Police Citizen App, 112-India App among others.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Tamil Nadu Capital: Chennai;
- Tamil Nadu Chief minister: K. Stalin;
- Tamil Nadu Governor: R. N. Ravi.
Jio-bp and TVS Motor to collaborate on EV solutions
Jio-bp and TVS Motor Company announced that they had agreed to explore the establishment of a comprehensive public EV charging infrastructure in India for electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers, building on Jio-developing bp’s network in this field. Customers of TVS electric vehicles are likely to gain access to Jio-extensive bp’s charging network, which is also open to other vehicles, as part of this proposed agreement.
Key Points:
- The partnership’s goal is to build a standard AC charging network as well as a DC fast-charging network.
- According to TVS Motors, this will match with Jio-bp and TVS‘ aim to deliver a vast and reliable charging infrastructure to their customers.
- Both TVS Motor and Jio-bp have developed solutions for a seamless customer journey on their own apps.
About Jio-bp:
- Jio-bp pulse is the brand name for Jio-electric bp’s vehicle charging and swapping stations.
- Customers can use the Jio-bp pulse app to locate charging stations near them and charge their electric vehicles.
- Jio-bp is also developing a charging environment that will benefit all stakeholders in the EV value chain, with the goal of becoming one of India’s largest EV networks.
About Tata Motors:
- The TVS Motor Company has made tremendous progress in the development of innovative electric mobility goods and technology.
- The business has sold over 12,000 units of their high-speed electric scooter TVS iQube since its inception.
- The TVS iQube is a smart, connected, and practical electric vehicle that meets customers’ daily commuting demands.
- The company has committed Rs. 1,000 crore to the electric vehicle market, with a significant amount of that already spent.
- To pave the way for electrification, the company is preparing a full variety of two and three-wheelers with power outputs ranging from 5 to 25 kW, all of which will be available within the next 24 months.
About the Agreement:
- This agreement will aid in the adoption of electric vehicles in the country among two- and three-wheeler customers who want to take the next step toward turning electric.
- The fast spread of these charging stations will widen the horizons of both companies and India’s net-zero emission goal.
Govt released data: India’s trade deficit rises 88% in FY22
According to government data released, India’s trade imbalance increased by 87.5 percent to $192.41 billion in 2021-22, up from $102.63 billion the previous year. While total exports hit a new high of $417.81 billion last fiscal year, imports also hit a new high of $610.22 billion, resulting in a $192.41 billion trade deficit.
Key Points:
- As per the ministry of commerce and industry, “India’s merchandise imports in April 2021-March 2022 totaled $610.22 billion, up 71 percent from $394.44 billion in April 2020-March 2021 and 28.55 percent higher than $474.71 billion in April 2019-March 2020.”
- In March 2022, the trade deficit was $18.69 billion, compared to $192.41 billion for the entire fiscal year 2021-22.
- India’s monthly merchandise exports surpassed $40 billion for the first time in March 2022, reaching $40.38 billion, up 14.53 percent from $35.26 billion the previous month.
- It increased by 87.89% from $21.49 billion in March 2020.
- The country’s merchandise imports this month totaled $59.07 billion, up 20.79 percent from $48.90 billion the previous month, according to the ministry. It increased by 87.68% from $31.47 billion in March 2020.
- Non-petroleum exports totaled $33 billion in March 2022, up 4.28 percent from $31.65 billion in the same month a year before.
- Exports of non-petroleum goods increased by 74% from $18.97 billion in March 2020.
- Imports of non-petroleum goods totaled $40.66 billion in March 2022, up 5.26 percent from $38.63 billion the previous month. According to the ministry’s figures, it was up 89.79 percent from $21.42 billion in March 2020.
Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić wins new term
Aleksandar Vučić has been re-elected as the President of Serbia. The pollster organizations CeSID and Ipsos had predicted victory for Vucic. The pro-European and centrist Alliance for Victory coalition was represented by Zdravko Ponos, a retired army general. The pollsters had predicted that Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) would win most of the votes with 43 per cent and they would be followed by the United for Victory of Serbia opposition.
About Aleksandar Vučić:
Aleksandar Vučić is serving as Serbia’s president since 2017, and since 2012 he has been serving as the president of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). He has served as the President for two terms, from 2014 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2017. In 2017, he was first elected as the country’s President and succeeded Tomislav Nikolić. Vučić’s rule has been described by observers as an autocratic, authoritarian, illiberal democratic regime, and he curtailed the freedom of the press.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Serbia Capital: Belgrade;
- Serbia Currency: Serbian dinar;
- Serbia President: Aleksandar Vučić.
‘One Health’ pilot project launched by Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying
The Government of India’s Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) has launched a pilot project in Uttarakhand to implement the One Health Framework through the One Health Support Unit.
Key Points:
- The Unit’s main goal is to create a national One Health roadmap based on the lessons learned during the pilot project’s deployment.
- The implementation of the One Health Support Unit would be led by an inter-ministerial One Health committee chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
Important Takeaways for exam:
- Shri Atul Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying,Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.
- Dr Praveen Malik, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Government of India.
A book titled ‘The Maverick Effect’ authored by Harish Mehta
“The Maverick Effect”, tells the untold story of how in the 1970s and 80s a ‘band of dreamers’ joined hands to create NASSCOM and pave the way for the IT revolution in India. The book, touted to be an authoritative biography of the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), the apex body of software and IT service companies, is written by Harish Mehta.
“The Maverick Effect is a definitive and authoritative biography of NASSCOM as recounted by one who led the creation of NASSCOM in 1988 and has been nurturing it like his precious child even after 33 years to the day. The Maverick Effect is the extraordinary story of this band of dreamers who joined hands to transform a nation while also changing the lens through which the world looked at India.
About the Author:
Harish Mehta is the founder and executive chairperson of Onward Technologies Ltd. He is the founding member and the first elected chairman of NASSCOM, a not-for-profit representing India’s burgeoning IT industry and considered among the world’s most exemplary associations. As a prominent angel investor, he also spends time mentoring young entrepreneurs and start-ups.
Sarhul Festival 2022 celebrated in Jharkhand
Sarhul is the festival of the New Year celebrated in the state of Jharkhand by the tribal communities as part of the local Sarna religion. It is celebrated in the Hindu month of Chaitra, three days after the appearance of the new moon. It is also a celebration of the beginning of spring. The word ”Sarhul” is connected with tree worship. It is a festival where nature is venerated. In the year 2022, it falls on 04 April, Monday.
About the festival:
- Sarhul is celebrated by many tribes in Jharkhand, but most notably the Munda, Ho, and Oraon tribes. While nature veneration is an important aspect of the festival, there are also many cultural programmes that are enjoyed along with it.
- Among these many cultural events is“Baa Porob”, the festival of flowers and the worship of the Sal Tree as well as a special Sarhul dance.
- The festivities around Sarhul are made even more special with the many festive delicacies that are cooked and enjoyed, such as the rice dish called ”handia”’, a baked or dried fish dish called ”fish sukha”.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Chief Minister of Jharkhand: Hemant Soren; Governor: Ramesh Bais.
