Putin’s widow and World Bank president named to Time magazine’s list of influential leaders

New Delhi:

Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and World Bank President Ajay Banga named to Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024 in the “Leaders” category.

The magazine’s annual list is divided into categories such as “Leaders,” “Icons” and “Titans.” Some other prominent figures among the “leaders” include Indian-American official Jigar Shah, Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni and Iranian human rights activist Nargis Mohammadi.

After Navalny died in an Arctic exile colony on February 16, Yulia Navalnaya, 47, said in an interview that she chose to enter politics so that her husband’s vision could be realized. “I didn’t talk about me going into politics,” she said. “I just think this cannot be allowed to happen. If they think they can kill Alexei and that’s the end of it, they’re wrong.”

Indian-American Ajay Banga became president of the World Bank last year, marking a historic moment as the first person of color to lead the world’s major financial institutions: the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Mr. Banga served as the 14th President for a five-year term.

Another Indian-American on the list, Jigar Shah, takes on the role of American director. The Department of Energy’s Office of Loan Programs, which oversees the distribution of hundreds of billions of dollars in public funds for clean infrastructure and energy programs.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni is one of the few top politicians in the “Leader” category. The 47-year-old came to power in 2022, becoming Italy’s first female leader. Some are concerned about her far-right party, but Ms Meloni still enjoys significant support in her country.

Narges Mohammadi, 51, will win the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless advocacy of human rights in Iran, a cause that has led to her frequent imprisonment over the past 20 years. Ms Mohammadi remains in Tehran’s Evin prison.