Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and NRI steel baron Lakshmi Mittal figured at top position among 24 richest Indians in the recently announced list of Indian billionaires by the prestigious Forbes' magazine. Both also emerged as biggest loser under the impact of global slowdown and recessionary waves in the world. Mukesh's brother and industrialist Anil Ambani managed to get third slot in the list with a total wealth of USD 10.1 billion.

Many rich Indians lost their billionaire status due to depreciation of rupee in the past few months. The country has also lost the status of having largest number of billionaires in Asia to China having 28 richest people now.

Number of billionaires in the world declined 30 per cent as compared to last year with number of billionaires reduced to 793 from earlier figures of 1,125 before a year.

Meanwhile, software czar Bill Gates regained his lost status as the worlds wealthiest from his friend and legendary investor, Warren Buffett. Warren Buffett and tycoon Carlos Slim ranked at second and third slot respectively with total wealth of USD 37 billion and USD 35 billion.