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Seven Indians Named in WEF 2025 Young Global Leaders List, Including Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and OYO’s Ritesh Agarwal.

Awards | Dated: 19 Apr 2025

In April 2025, the Switzerland-based World Economic Forum (WEF) unveiled the 2025 list of Young Global Leaders (YGL), recognizing 116 dynamic individuals under the age of 40 from nearly 50 countries. These leaders have made significant contributions across various fields, including business, politics, science, sports, and the arts.

🎯 Key Highlights:

- From India, seven individuals have been honoured, including Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Government of India (GoI), and Ritesh Agarwal, Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of OYO Hotels and Homes.
- The global list also includes several high-profile personalities such as Sana Mir, Sports Analyst and Commentator at Pakistan Television Corporation Limited (Pakistan); Milojko Spajić, Prime Minister (PM) of Montenegro; and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, PM of Thailand, among others.
- The Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGL), established in 2004 by the World Economic Forum (WEF), is an initiative designed to nurture responsible and impactful leaders committed to building a more sustainable and inclusive future. Selected members participate in a 3-year leadership program that includes collaborations with top academic institutions, immersive learning experiences, and global networking opportunities aligned with WEF's mission.

💡 Other Important Facts:

(i) The 2025 Young Global Leaders (YGL) list by the World Economic Forum (WEF) features seven outstanding Indian personalities, showcasing India’s expanding role in global leadership and innovation.
(ii) Among the honourees are Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and Group CEO of Gurugram-based OYO Hotels and Homes, and Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Government of India. They are joined by Nipun Malhotra, founder of Delhi-based Nipman Foundation, known for his work in disability advocacy, and Alok Medikepura Anil, Founder and MD of Bengaluru-based Next Big Innovation Labs, a biotechnology firm.
(iii) Other distinguished Indians on the list include Natarajan Sankar, MD and Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Mumbai; Manasi Subramaniam, Editor-in-Chief and Vice President of Penguin Random House India, New Delhi; and Anurag Maloo, a mountaineer, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker representing Jaipur-based Orophile Ventures Private Limited (Climbing4SDGs).

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Who is the founder and CEO of OYO Hotels and Homes recently featured in the 2025 WEF Young Global Leaders list?

Correct Answer: Ritesh Agarwal

🚀 Quick Recap:

About World Economic Forum (WEF)

President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) : Børge Brende (Norway)
Headquarters : Cologny, Switzerland