Mumbai: Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), has retained the top position on Forbes’ 2024 list of the 100 richest Indian tycoons. According to Forbes, Mukesh Ambani was the second-biggest gainer in dollar terms, with wealth rising $27.5 billion in the past one year to $119.5 billion.

This comes as the RIL chief announced bonus shares as Diwali gift for Reliance investors. Ambani’s current net worth stands at $108.3 billion, making him the 13th richest person in the world.

The magazine’s report mentioned that the combined wealth of the top 100 individuals on Forbes rich list for 2024 reached a historic milestone of $1.1 trillion, reflecting a 40 percent increase from $799 billion in 2023.

The report highlighted that strong stock market, IPOs and mutual funds has resulted in the rich getting richer in India. The BSE Sensex has gained 30 percent since last year, Forbes said, adding, “As a result, more than 80 percent of those on the list are wealthier, with 58 adding $1 billion or more to their respective net worths.”

Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, secured the second position on the Forbes list with a combined family wealth of $116 billion. Savitri Jindal, matriarch of the steel-to-power conglomerate O.P. Jindal Group, moved up to third place for the first time, with a net worth of $43.7 billion, an increase of $19.7 billion from the previous year. She remains the richest woman in India.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.

The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.

The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.

Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.

“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.

“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.

Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.

“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.

“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.

Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.

Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.

“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.

“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”

Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.

In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.

“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.

“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.