Reputation counts! Tata, Infosys in top league

Diversified Indian conglomerate Tata group has emerged as the world's sixth most reputed company, but the country's most valued firm Reliance Industries failed to make the grade. Tata group leapfrogged over 100 positions from last year's 124th rank in the annual 'Global 200: The World's Best Corporate Reputations' list, compiled by US-based Reputation Institute.
The global list, which includes 10 other Indian companies, has been topped by Japanese auto maker Toyota, followed by US-based internet search giant Google, Sweden's Ikea, Italy's Ferrero and another American firm Johnson & Johnson.
The Ratan Tata-led group is joined by India's second largest software exporter Infosys Technologies in the Top-50 league at 14th position.
However, at least nine other Indian firms, which were among 600 companies considered in a survey to prepare the list, could not make it to the final 200. These firms include Mukesh Ambani-led RIL, the country's biggest by revenue among private sector firms and overall largest in terms of market value. Other Indian companies that were considered for the list, but failed to make the cut include the biggest private sector lender ICICI Bank ,top private and public sector telecom firms Bharti Airtel and BSNL, IT giant Wipro ,Birla group's Grasim Industries, tobacco-to-consumer goods conglomerate ITC as well as two state-run firms -- oil refining and marketing major BPCL and national carrier Air India Ltd.