Dharamshala: - The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was ranked ninth in the list of world's greatest leaders by the Fortune, a leading world magazine, extolling his tireless campaign for peace, nonviolence, democracy, and reconciliation, especially among world religions.
The 1989 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Holiness Pope Francis. 266th Pope of the Catholic Church are only two spiritual leaders listed in the top ten.
"For over 50 years he has campaigned tirelessly for peace, nonviolence, democracy, and reconciliation, especially among world religions; he has met countless times with popes, rabbis, imas, and others to find common ground," Fortune said Thursday.
"Winner of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, the Dalai Lama radiates charisma. As for his influence, just ask those who look for his guidance on Twitter. All 8.6 million of them." In his latest tweet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said: "Concern for others is not just a matter of religious practice; it's a practical step towards creating a happy society," it added.
Myanmar's pro-democracy icon and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi occupied the sixth place in the list.
The top 10 leaders in the list are Pope Francis, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Ford Motor chief executive officer (CEO) Alan Mulally, Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett, former US president Bill Clinton, Aung San Suu Kyi, Commander of US Force in Afghanistan Gen. Joe Dunford, US singer Bono, Dalai Lama and Amazon.com. CEO Jeff Bezos.
One the most notable leaders, US President Barack, was not on the list. "President Obama wasn't excluded from Fortune's World's 50 Greatest Leaders list," the magazine said. "He simply didn't make this year's list of 50 outstanding individuals who have demonstrated rare leadership, leadership in multiple areas or who have demonstrated a long history of leading."
Leaders on the list range from corporate — like Gail Kelly, the chief executive of one of Australia's largest banks, Westpac — to inspirational, such as 16-year-old Pakistani Malala Yousafzai (No. 34), who was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman for her outspoken defense in a female's right to education.
The magazine said "serving in an influential role" was not necessarily enough to land a spot. "We have drawn a distinction between leaders and people who are admirable and powerful but who are not transformative leaders."
It said that "all candidates had to be currently active, so retirees or recently deceased leader such as Nelson Mandela were not considered."
The full list of Fortune's "World's 50 Greatest Leaders" can be found at Fortune.com/BestLeaders.