Because he has turned Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) into a money machine. Because his businesses will generate over Rs 60,000 crore in cash reserves every year by the end of 2008, twice the total dividend received from PSUs this year. Because he can work political connections to his advantage, whether it is handling opposition to his retail plans or heading off a confrontation with his brother on gas pricing. Because he has doubled his group’s market cap from just over $53 billion to $106 billion in the last one year.

Because he has taken the group’s turnover from $27 billion to $34 billion. Because his wealth makes him one of the richest people in the world. Because Reliance will be among the biggest private gas producers in the country with over 12 trillion cubic ft of reserves by 2009. Because his new businesses will create enough cash to make him the most cash-rich businessman by 2012, with over $66 billion to spare. Because he and friend Anand Jain are setting up four SEZS.