Mukesh Ambani, Lakshmi Mittal among world's top ten billionaires

By Arun Kumar, Washington, March 11 : Indians Mukesh Ambani and Lakshmi Mittal figured among world's top ten billionaires as Mexican tycoon Carlo Slim Helu beat Americans Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to become the wealthiest person on earth.

Besides fourth ranked Reliance Industries chairman Ambani and fifth placed steel czar Mittal, four other Indians were among top 50 in 2010 Forbes list of the World's Billionaires released Wednesday with as many 49 Indians joining company with the planet's 1,011 richest people.

With his fortune swelling to an estimated USD 53.5 billion, up USD 18.5 billion in 12 months, Slim surged ahead of Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates, who had held the title of world's richest 14 of the past 15 years, the US business magazine noted.

Gates, now worth USD 53 billion, is ranked second in the world. He is up USD 13 billion from a year ago as shares of Microsoft rose 50 percent in 12 months. Buffett's fortune jumped USD 10 billion to USD 47 billion on rising shares of Berkshire Hathaway. He ranks third.

Eleven countries have at least double the number of billionaires they had a year ago, including China, India, Turkey and South Korea.

Fourth placed Mukesh Ambani with a fortune of USD 29 billion has global ambitions, Forbes said. So has his younger brother Anil Ambani ranked 36 with a USD 13.7 billion fortune.

Fifth ranked Lakshmi Mittal with a fortune of USD 28.7 billion is "looking to expand in his native India; wants to build steel mills in Jharkhad and Orissa but has not received government approval," Forbes noted describing him as "London's richest resident" who oversees ArcelorMittal, world's largest steel maker

Azim Premji with a fortune of USD 17.0 billion was ranked 28. "Software czar chairs USD 5.5 billion (revenues) Wipro, country's third-largest software exporter. Reported jump in net profits in last 2 quarters, signaling a rebound for US-dependent outsourcing giant."

Shashi and Ravi Ruia brothers took the 40th spot with a fortune of USD 13.0 billion. Their "USD 15 billion (revenues) Essar Group has weathered downturn and embarked on an expansion drive in all its businesses, including steel, oil and power."

Last among the Indians in top 50 was Savitri Jindal, ranked 44th, with a fortune of USD 12.2 billion. She took over as head of O.P. Jindal Group after her husband died in a helicopter crash in 2005.

Among other Indians on the billionaires list were Kushal Pal Singh (74), Kumar Birla (86), Sunil Mittal (87), Anil Agarwal (113), Adi Godrej and family (148), Shiv Nadar (201), N.R. Narayana Murthy and family (616), Rahul Bajaj (880) and Vijay Mallya (937).