B.R. Shetty has improved his standing among richest Indians from No. 97 last year to N. 72 this year, with Forbes estimating his net worth at $880 million, up from $540 million last year says Forbes.

Middle East tycoon B. R. Shetty, who got start as a pharma salesman, migrated to Abu Dhabi in 1973 with $8 in his pocket and a load of debt back home. Went on to build a build health care and financial services empire. His NMC Healthcare, the region's largest integrated private health care provider, listed in London last year. His money transfer firm UAE Exchange, that helps Indian expatriate workers send money back home, has 700 offices in 31 countries. It has applied for a new banking licence. Shetty owns an apartment on the 100th floor of Dubai's Burj Khalifa and a fleet of limousines.