4 Indians figure in WEF's Young Global Leaders Class of 2016

Four Indians - Kanika Dewan, Dhivya Suryadevara, Shaurya Veer Himatsingka and Sheetal Amte-Karajgi - have made it to the list of over 121 young global leaders recognised by the World Economic Forum.

WEF recognised 121 scientists, government leaders, future business leaders, social activists and artists, aged under 40, as the Young Global Leaders Class of 2016. According to WEF, these people are "shaking up policy, society and the world around them".

Over half of the Young Global Leaders Class of 2016 are women and the majority are from emerging economies. The individuals who represented India in the list include three women, Kanika Dewan, President of Bramco Group, Dhivya Suryadevara CEO of GM Asset Management, one of the largest pensions in the US, where she manages $80 billion in assets and Sheetal Amte-Karajgi, CEO of Maharogi Sewa Samiti, who is making a significant impact on the lives of the marginalised. Shaurya Veer Himatsingka, Deputy Managing Director, India Carbon, was the other Indian who made it to the coveted list.

On Himatsingka, WEF said "through his various organisations, he has led the establishment of training centres for the visually impaired and serves as National Chairman of Young Indians, where he launched a nation-wide campaign to stop child sexual abuse".

The list includes 15 young leaders from the Asia-Pacific, 4 from Eurasia, 23 from Europe, 14 from Greater China, 7 from Latin America, 11 from the Middle-East and North Africa, 24 from North America, 12 from South Asia and 11 from sub-Saharan Africa.

The Young Global Leaders Class of 2016 also includes Amal Clooney, a barrister who specialises in international criminal law and human rights, Ashton Kutcher, the actor and emerging technology investor who launched an innovation lab to fight child sexual exploitation, and Nina Tandon, who founded Epibone, the world's first company growing living human bones for skeletal reconstruction.

"We want these young leaders to be part of the solution and provide a community that helps them break down silos, work across sectors, bridge cultures and have the skills to get things done in private, public and civil society organisations," said John Dutton, Head of the Young Global Leaders at the World Economic Forum.

Others who have been named Young Global Leader (YGL) in the past include British Prime Minister David Cameron, Alibaba Group chief Jack Ma, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, Google chief Larry Page and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.