Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and World Bank chief Ajay Banga have been recognized as leaders in Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024 list. The annual list features several categories such as ‘Leaders’, ‘Icons,’ and ‘Titans,’ among others. Other notable personalities included in the ‘Leaders’ category are Indian-origin US official Jigar Shah, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, and Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi.
In her first interview following Navalny’s death on February 16 in an Arctic penal colony, Yulia Navalnaya shared her determination to enter politics to carry on her husband’s vision. She emphasized that his death should not be the end and that his ideals must live on. Meanwhile, Ajay Banga made history as the first person of color to lead either the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund when he became the President of the World Bank last year. His presidency is set for a five-year term.
Jigar Shah holds a director position in the US Department of Energy Loan Programs Office where he oversees the allocation of millions of dollars in public funds toward clean infrastructure and energy initiatives. Italian PM Georgia Meloni became Italy’s first woman leader in 2022 and continues to enjoy significant support in the country despite initial concerns about her far-right party. On the other hand, Narges Mohammadi is a human rights activist who has faced frequent incarcerations over the past two decades for her relentless advocacy for human rights in Iran. In 2023, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her cause.
