Editor-in-Chief’s Note: A Year of Change

The striving for prosperity propels us to achieve higher standards of excellence, and makes us sensitive to the dynamics of our environment.

This seems to have been the mantra that propelled progressive Indian companies towards excellence and made us a better nation and a better people. These companies, both public and private, are today institutions in themselves and support not just an army of employees, but a huge chunk of our population with them.

In a persistent quest for perfection, they have achieved a track record of sustainability and continue to tirelessly strive for higher goals. And yes, these companies are also among the largest in India. BW Businessworld pays its tribute to these corporate knights in its annual rankings — the BW 500. This special issue lists the top 500 companies in India, in terms of total income and assets. We also profile the top 20 companies and the top five financial companies in India to justify these rankings.

The New Year ushers in unprecedented policy initiatives, which seem to be a prognostication of more policies and decisions. Our editorial team has tried to foretell these prospective trends of 2017, by bringing in voices from various sectors of the economy and some from the realm of astrology! In a segment titled What to Expect, industry leaders and experts from sectors as diverse as automobiles and environment, media and startups, share their views on the likely trends of 2017.

Also read our in-depth coverage of smart money ideas for 2017 by BW’s editorial consultant, Aniruddha Bose. Our Mumbai bureau head, Clifford Alvares, scrutinises the Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), which will finally debut in the domestic market, two years after they were announced. Munnish Puri analyses the grand success of the Amir Khan- starrer, Dangal, in his column, Box Office. Senior associate editor, Ashish Sinha, predicts prosperity for the real estate sector, which was not too long ago, reported to be grappling with a glut. Associate editor, Ayushman Baruah, analyses job losses from automation in industry.

The year 2017 does portend unprecedented developments in both the public and private sectors. It may well be the year in which the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will finally roll out. As we go to Press, a decision taken by the board of Tata Sons suggests a denouement of the Tata Group’s boardroom battles. It may be the year in which the Indian economy recovers from the backlash of demonetisation of 86 per cent of the currency in circulation — as anticipated.

Think tanks, both global and national, forecast a slight dip in India’s GDP because of the demonetisation exercise — just as we had predicted in an earlier issue of our magazine. The 2017 Union Budget is being pensively awaited, as it bears the stamp of demonetisation on it. BW Businessworld will be organising round-tables both before and after the Budget, as sounding boards of the scenarios that may emerge.

Humans are mortal, but humanity can be eternal. Let’s take a pledge to spread the mantra of peace and forgiveness. Let’s change ourselves and our society for the better. As Barack Obama said in his farewell speech, “Change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it.” We wish you a happy and prosperous year ahead!