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Short

Biographies of
175 famous
personalities.

By

Deepanshu Kajla

[2]
Table of Contents –

1. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam 12


2. Leonardo da Vinci 14
3. Albert Einstein 15
4. Michael Jordan 16
5. Michael Jackson 17
6. Nikola Tesla 18
7. Mohammad Ali 19
8. Bruce Lee 20
9. Chetan Bhagat 21
10. Sunil Chhetri 22
11. Elon Musk 23

[3]
12. Aryabhata 24
13. Sushruta 26
14. Shah Rukh Khan 27
15. Narayana Murthy 28
16. Sudha Murthy 29
17. Adi Shankaracharya 31
18. Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj 32
19. M.C. Mary Kom 33
20. Prithviraj Chauhan 34
21. Chanakya 35
22. Charlie Chaplin 36
23. William Shakespeare 37
24. Leo Tolstoy 39
25. Charles Darwin 40
26. Abraham Lincoln 41
27. Nelson Mandela 43
28. Alexander the Great 44
29. Ashoka the Great 45
30. Charles Babbage 47
31. Srinivasa Ramanujan 48
32. Christopher Columbus 49

[4]
33. Eminem 50
34. Jack Ma 51
35. Jackie Chan 52
36. Mahatma Gandhi 53
37. Stephen Hawkings 55
38. Cristino Ronaldo 56
39. Mother Teresa 57
40. Adolf Hitler 58
41. Pablo Picasso 59
42. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel 60
43. Subhash Chandra Bose 62
44. Virat Kohli 63
45. M.S. Dhoni 64
46. P.T. Usha 65
47. David Goggins 66
48. Milkha Singh 67
49. Steve Jobs 68
50. Shoaib Akhtar 70
51. Bill Gates 71
52. Maharana Pratap 72
53. Satyajit Ray 73

[5]
54. R.K. Narayan 74
55. Birsa Munda 75
56. Alluri Sitaram Raju 76
57. Saina Nehwal 78
58. Paulo Coelho 79
59. Warren Buffet 80
60. Joe Biden 81
61. Vladimir Putin 82
62. Swami Vivekananda 84
63. Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati 85
64. Neymar jr. 86
65. Satya Nadella 87
66. Sushant Singh Rajput 89
67. Mirabai Chanu 90
68. Michael Phelps 91
69. Neal Mohan 92
70. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar 93
71. Robert Kiyosaki 94
72. J.K. Rowling 95
73. Colonel Harland Sanders 97
74. Henry Ford 98

[6]
75. Dino James 99
76. Bernard Arnault 100
77. Rabindranath Tagore 101
78. Raja Ravi Varma 102
79. Dr. Homi J. Bhabha 103
80. Vikram Sarabhai 105
81. Neeraj Chopra 106
82. Rishi Sunak 107
83. Mike Tyson 108
84. Ingvar Kamprad 109
85. Helen Keller 111
86. Anne Frank 112
87. Wright Brothers 113
88. Shivkar Bapuji Talpade 114
89. Guru Gobind Singh 115
90. Maharaja Ranjit Singh 116
91. Rajesh Khanna 118
92. Amitabh Bachchan 119
93. Kylian Mbappe 120
94. Lionel Messi 121
95. Chandra Shekhar Azad 123

[7]
96. Ram Prasad Bismil 124
97. Malala Yousafzai 125
98. Marie Curie 126
99. Walt Disney 127
100. Vyasa 129
101. Vashista 130
102. Vishvamitra 131
103. Will Smith 132
104. Irrfan Khan 133
105. Anupam Mittal 134
106. Ashneer Grover 135
107. Dhirubhai Ambani 136
108. Arnold Schwarzenegger 137
109. Sylvester Stallone 138
110. Naushad Ali 139
111. K.S. Asif 140
112. Konosoke Matsushita 141
113. Thomas Bata 143
114. Soichiro Honda 144
115. Jamsetji Tata 145
116. Larry Page 147

[8]
117. Tim Cook 148
118. Oprah Winfrey 149
119. Gorge Washington 151
120. Galileo Galilei 152
121. Chandragupta Mauraya 153
122. Napoleon Bonaparte 154
123. Bal Gangadhar Tilak 156
124. Bhagat Singh 157
125. Barack Obama 159
126. Benjamin Franklin 160
127. Agatha Christie 161
128. Sir Edmund Hillary 163
129. Tenzing Norgay 164
130. P.V. Sindhu 165
131. Sania Mirza 166
132. Arunima Sinha 167
133. Martin Luther King Jr. 168
134. Dr. Rajendra Prasad 169
135. Kalidas 171
136. Major Dhyan Chand 172
137. Sarojini Naidu 174

[9]
138. Lata Mangeshkar 175
139. J.R.D. Tata 176
140. Kapil Dev 177
141. R.K. Lakshman 178
142. Ustad Bismillah Khan 179
143. Arijit Singh 180
144. Prithviraj Kapoor 181
145. Rajnikanth 182
146. Sanjeev Kapoor 183
147. Mark Zucerberg 185
148. Karsenbhai Patel 186
149. Usain Bolt 187
150. Rakesh Sharma 188
151. Ravindra Kaushik 189
152. Thomas Alva Edison 191
153. Shakuntla Devi 192
154. Mangal Pandey 193
155. The Dalai Lama 194
156. Hima Das 195
157. Subramania Chandrasekhar 197
158. Kalpana Chawla 198

[10]
159. Zakir Khan 199
160. Kushwant Singh 200
161. Narendra Modi 201
162. Dewayne Johnson 202
163. Patanjali 203
164. Sunil Bharti Mittal 204
165. Nawazuddin Siddiqui 205
166. Kai Greene 206
167. Virendra Sehwag 207
168. Rahul Dravid 208
169. Tilak Mehta 209
170. Jim Carrey 210
171. Tom Cruise 212
172. The Great Khali 213
173. Dr. Vivek Bindra 214
174. Maria Sharapova 215
175. Alfred Nobel 216

[11]
1. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

APJ Abdul Kalam (full name: Avul Pakir


Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam) was an Indian
scientist, engineer, and politician who served as
the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007.
He was born on October 15, 1931, in
Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India, and died on
July 27, 2015.Kalam studied physics and
aerospace engineering and played a key role in
India's civilian space program and military

[12]
missile development program. He also served as
the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime
Minister of India from 1992 to 1999. Kalam was
known as the "People's President" and was
highly respected for his simplicity, integrity, and
dedication to public service. He was also an
author and wrote several books, including his
autobiography "Wings of Fire," which is a best-
seller in India.Kalam was awarded several
prestigious awards, including the Bharat Ratna,
India's highest civilian award, and the Padma
Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. He was also a
recipient of several honorary degrees from
universities around the world. Kalam passed
away while delivering a lecture at the Indian
Institute of Management Shillong in Meghalaya,
India. He left behind a legacy of inspiring
millions of people, especially the youth, to
pursue their dreams and work towards a better
future for themselves and their country.

2. Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was an Italian


artist, scientist, and inventor who is widely
considered one of the greatest minds in history.

[13]
He was born in the town of Vinci, in Tuscany,
Italy, and lived during the Renaissance period.
Da Vinci is known for his artistic works such as
the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, but he also
made significant contributions in the fields of
engineering, anatomy, and astronomy. He was a
true polymath, excelling in many areas of
knowledge. Some of his most famous inventions
include a flying machine, a parachute, and a
self-propelled cart. He also made many
anatomical drawings that were ahead of his
time and studied the human body to
understand the functioning of various organs.
Da Vinci left behind a vast collection of
notebooks filled with his thoughts, ideas, and
sketches. His notebooks were a reflection of his
boundless curiosity and his passion for
learning.Overall, Leonardo da Vinci was a true
genius who made significant contributions in
art, science, and technology, and his legacy
continues to inspire people around the world to
this day.

3. Albert Einstein

[14]
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) was a German-born
theoretical physicist who is widely regarded as
one of the most influential scientists of the 20th
century. He is best known for his
groundbreaking work on the theory of relativity
and the famous equation E=mc², which states
that mass and energy are interchangeable.
Einstein was born in Ulm, Germany, and moved
to Switzerland at a young age. He studied
physics and mathematics at the Federal
Polytechnic School in Zurich and earned his PhD
in 1905 with a thesis on the measurement of
molecular dimensions. That same year, he
published a series of papers that revolutionized
the field of physics, including one on the special
theory of relativity, which challenged the long-
held assumptions about the nature of space and
time. In 1915, he published his theory of
general relativity, which described the force of
gravity as the curvature of space-
time.Throughout his career; Einstein made
important contributions to quantum mechanics,
statistical mechanics, and cosmology. He was
also a pacifist and an advocate for civil rights,
speaking out against discrimination and
oppression. Einstein received numerous awards
and honors for his work, including the Nobel
Prize in Physics in 1921. Today, his name is

[15]
synonymous with genius and innovation, and
his work continues to influence and inspire
scientists and thinkers around the world.

4. Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan is a retired American


professional basketball player who is widely
considered to be one of the greatest basketball
players of all time. He was born on February 17,
1963 in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in
Wilmington, North Carolina. Jordan played
college basketball at the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill and was drafted third
overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 1984 NBA
draft. He quickly became one of the most
dominant players in the league, winning five
MVP awards, six NBA championships, and 10
scoring titles over the course of his career.
Jordan's list of accomplishments is extensive
and includes numerous individual awards and
honors. He was inducted into the Basketball
Hall of Fame in 2009 and is widely regarded as a
cultural icon, both for his on-court
achievements and his impact on the sport of
basketball as a whole.

[16]
5. Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson (1958-2009) was an American


singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. He is
widely considered to be one of the greatest
musicians of all time, and is known as the "King
of Pop". Jackson began his career as a child in
the group The Jackson 5, before launching a
solo career in the 1970s. Jackson's music and
performances were known for their innovation
and influence on the music industry. His most
popular albums include "Thriller", "Bad", and
"Dangerous", which produced hit songs such as
"Billie Jean", "Beat It", and "Black or White".
Jackson's music videos, which featured intricate
choreography and special effects, were also
groundbreaking and helped popularize the
music video as an art form. In addition to his
music career, Jackson was also known for his
philanthropic work and activism. He donated
millions of dollars to charity and was involved in
several humanitarian causes, including
HIV/AIDS research and the fight against child
abuse. Despite his immense talent and success,
Jackson's personal life was often controversial
and surrounded by scandals. He was accused of
child sexual abuse in the 1990s and again in the

[17]
early 2000s, and was the subject of intense
media scrutiny throughout his career. Jackson
died in 2009 at the age of 50 from a cardiac
arrest caused by an overdose of the anesthetic
propofol.

6. Nikola Tesla

Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) was a Serbian-


American inventor, electrical engineer,
mechanical engineer, and futurist who is best
known for his contributions to the development
of the modern alternating current (AC) electrical
supply system. Tesla was born in the Austrian
Empire (present-day Croatia) and studied at the
Austrian Polytechnic in Graz before working as
an assistant to Thomas Edison in the United
States. Tesla and Edison had different views on
electrical power distribution, with Tesla
advocating for AC power transmission and
Edison promoting DC power transmission. In
the end, Tesla's AC system became the
dominant electrical power system in the world.
Tesla also made significant contributions to the
development of X-ray technology, wireless
communication, and the Tesla coil, which is still

[18]
used in radio and television technology today.
He is often considered one of the most
important inventors of the modern age, and his
legacy continues to inspire scientists and
engineers around the world.

7. Mohammad Ali

Mohammad Ali, was a famous American


professional boxer and one of the most
significant sports figures of the 20th century.
Born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville,
Kentucky, he began his boxing career at the age
of 12 and went on to become a three-time
heavyweight champion. Ali was known for his
impressive footwork, lightning-fast jabs, and his
unique fighting style that emphasized grace,
speed, and agility over brute force. He also
became famous for his outspokenness and his
political activism, particularly his opposition to
the Vietnam War, which led to his suspension
from boxing for three years. Ali retired from
boxing in 1981 and died on June 3, 2016, at the
age of 74. He is widely regarded as one of the
greatest boxers of all time, and his legacy
extends far beyond the ring.

[19]
8. Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee (November 27, 1940 - July 20, 1973)


was a legendary martial artist, actor, filmmaker,
and philosopher. He was born in San Francisco,
California, but grew up in Hong Kong. Lee was
known for his unparalleled skills in martial arts,
particularly in the Wing Chun style, and for his
innovative approach to fighting that
incorporated elements from various martial arts
styles. Lee's philosophy of martial arts was
deeply rooted in the idea of self-improvement
and self-expression. He believed that martial
arts should not be restricted to specific
techniques or styles, but should instead be a
personal expression of one's individuality. He
famously said, "Be water, my friend," referring
to the idea that martial arts practitioners should
be adaptable and able to flow with the
circumstances. In addition to his martial arts
expertise, Lee was also an accomplished actor
and filmmaker. He starred in a number of
martial arts films, including "Enter the Dragon"
and "The Way of the Dragon," and helped to
pioneer the martial arts film genre. He also
wrote several books on martial arts and
philosophy, including "Tao of Jeet Kune Do."

[20]
Lee's life was tragically cut short at the age of
32, when he died from cerebral edema, a
condition that causes swelling of the brain.
Despite his short life, Lee's impact on martial
arts and popular culture has been immense,
and he continues to be revered by martial
artists and fans around the world.

9. Chetan Bhagat

Chetan Bhagat is an Indian author, columnist,


and speaker. He was born on April 22, 1974, in
New Delhi, India. Bhagat is known for his
bestselling novels, which often deal with
themes of love, relationships, and social issues.
Some of his most popular books include "Five
Point Someone," "One Night @ the Call Center,"
"2 States," and "Half Girlfriend." Bhagat studied
engineering at the Indian Institute of
Technology (IIT) Delhi and later earned an MBA
from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM)
Ahmedabad. He worked as an investment
banker in Hong Kong before becoming a full-
time writer. Bhagat's writing has been both
praised and criticized for its simplicity and
accessibility to a broad audience. He is also

[21]
known for his columns in leading newspapers
and his social media presence, where he often
shares his opinions on current events and social
issues. Bhagat's work has been adapted into
several successful Bollywood films, including "3
Idiots," "Kai Po Che!," and "Half Girlfriend." He
is one of the most popular contemporary
authors in India and has won several awards for
his work.

10. Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri is an Indian professional footballer


who plays as a striker for both the Indian
national team and the Indian Super League club
Bengaluru FC. He was born on August 3, 1984,
in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now in
Telangana), India. Chhetri is widely regarded as
one of the greatest footballers in the history of
Indian football. He is the all-time top scorer for
the Indian national team with more than 80
goals to his name. He has also won several
individual awards, including the AIFF Player of
the Year award on multiple occasions. Chhetri
began his professional career with Mohun
Bagan in 2002 and has since played for several

[22]
clubs in India and abroad, including Kansas City
Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City) in the Major
League Soccer in the United States. He has also
played for the Indian national team in
numerous international tournaments, including
the AFC Asian Cup and the SAFF Championship.

11. Elon Musk

Elon Musk is a technology entrepreneur and


business magnate. He was born on June 28,
1971, in Pretoria, South Africa. Musk is the CEO
and co-founder of SpaceX, CEO and product
architect of Tesla, Inc., and co-founder of
several other companies, including Neuralink,
The Boring Company, and PayPal. Musk is
widely regarded as one of the most innovative
and influential entrepreneurs of our time. He
has been instrumental in advancing the fields of
space exploration, electric cars, and renewable
energy. Under his leadership, SpaceX has
developed the Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon
spacecraft, which are now used to resupply the
International Space Station and carry astronauts
to space. At Tesla, Musk has been a driving
force behind the development of electric cars

[23]
and energy storage solutions. The company's
flagship electric car, the Model S, has won
numerous awards and has been praised for its
performance, safety, and environmental
friendliness. In addition to his work at SpaceX
and Tesla, Musk has also been involved in other
ventures, such as the development of
Hyperloop, a high-speed transportation system,
and Neuralink, a company that aims to develop
brain-machine interfaces to help treat
neurological disorders.

12. Aryabhata

Aryabhata was an ancient Indian mathematician


and astronomer who lived in the late 5th
century CE. He is known for his contributions to
the fields of mathematics and astronomy and is
considered one of the most important
mathematicians of ancient India. Aryabhata is
most famous for his work Aryabhatiya, a
treatise on mathematics and astronomy. In this
work, he presented several innovative ideas,
such as the concept of zero, the use of algebra
to solve astronomical problems, and the theory
that the earth rotates on its axis and revolves

[24]
around the sun. Aryabhata's contributions to
mathematics include the development of a
place-value system of numerals, the calculation
of pi to four decimal places, and the
development of trigonometry. He also made
important contributions to astronomy, such as
the calculation of the length of a year and the
position of the planets. Aryabhata's work was
influential not only in India but also in other
parts of the world. His ideas were transmitted
to the Islamic world and later to Europe, where
they played a key role in the development of
modern mathematics and astronomy.

13. Sushruta

Sushruta, also known as Sushruta the Great,


was an ancient Indian physician and surgeon
who lived in the city of Varanasi in the 6th
century BCE. He is considered the father of
plastic surgery and is credited with developing
and practicing many surgical procedures that
are still in use today. Sushruta is known for
writing the Sushruta Samhita, a Sanskrit text
that is considered one of the most important
texts on Ayurvedic medicine. The text contains

[25]
detailed descriptions of surgical procedures,
including rhinoplasty (nose surgery), otoplasty
(ear surgery), and various types of plastic
surgery. It also includes information on the use
of herbal medicines and the treatment of
various diseases. Sushruta's contributions to the
field of medicine and surgery are considered
significant and have been recognized by medical
practitioners and scholars around the world. His
techniques and principles have been used in
modern surgical practices, and his ideas have
influenced the development of modern
medicine.

14. Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan, often referred to as SRK, is a


famous Indian actor, film producer, and
television personality. He was born on
November 2, 1965, in New Delhi, India, and
raised in a middle-class family. SRK began his
career in the Indian film industry with the
television series Fauji in 1988. He made his film
debut with the movie Deewana in 1992, which
was a commercial success and earned him the
Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. Since then,

[26]
Shah Rukh Khan has appeared in over 80
Bollywood films and has become one of the
most popular and influential actors in India.
Some of his notable films include Dilwale
Dulhania Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal Hai, Kal Ho
Naa Ho, Chak De! India, My Name is Khan, and
Chennai Express. He has won several awards for
his acting, including 14 Filmfare Awards. In
addition to his acting career, SRK is also a
successful film producer and has produced films
like Chennai Express, Ra.One, and Om Shanti
Om. He is also a philanthropist and has been
involved in several charitable organizations,
including the Meer Foundation and the Kolkata
Knight Riders Foundation. Shah Rukh Khan is
considered a global icon and has a huge fan
following not only in India but also around the
world. He is known for his charming personality,
quick wit, and humanitarian work.

15. Narayana Murthy

Narayana Murthy is a well-known Indian


industrialist, software engineer, and the co-
founder of Infosys, one of the largest IT services

[27]
companies in India. He was born on August 20,
1946, in Mysore, Karnataka, India. After
completing his studies in electrical engineering
from the National Institute of Engineering in
Mysore, Narayana Murthy started his career
with the Indian Institute of Management in
Ahmedabad. Later, he worked with Patni
Computer Systems in Pune before co-founding
Infosys in 1981 with six other software
professionals. Under Narayana Murthy's
leadership, Infosys became one of the fastest-
growing companies in the world, providing IT
services to clients in over 50 countries. He
served as the CEO of Infosys from 1981 to 2002
and was instrumental in transforming the
company into a global brand. Narayana Murthy
has received several awards and recognitions
for his contributions to the IT industry, including
the Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan, two of
the highest civilian awards in India. He is also
known for his philanthropic work and has set up
several charitable foundations to support
education, healthcare, and rural development
in India. Narayana Murthy is regarded as a
thought leader and an inspiration for many
aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders in
India and around the world. His vision,
leadership, and commitment to excellence have

[28]
made him one of the most respected figures in
the Indian business community.

16. Sudha Murthy

Sudha Murthy is an Indian author,


philanthropist, and social worker. She was born
on August 19, 1950, in Shiggaon, Karnataka,
India. She is the chairperson of the Infosys
Foundation, a non-profit organization that
works in the areas of education, rural
development, healthcare, and the arts. Sudha
Murthy is also a prolific writer and has written
many books in English and Kannada, including
novels, short stories, and children's books.
Some of her popular works include "Dollar
Bahu", "Wise and Otherwise", and "How I
Taught My Grandmother to Read and Other
Stories". Her writing is known for its simplicity,
realism, and sensitivity to social issues. In
addition to her writing and philanthropic work,
Sudha Murthy is also an accomplished
computer scientist and engineer. She holds a
degree in electrical engineering from the Indian
Institute of Technology in Mumbai and has
worked for many years in the field of software

[29]
development. Sudha Murthy has received
several awards and honors for her contributions
to literature, social work, and education,
including the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan,
two of the highest civilian awards in India. She is
widely respected for her work in promoting
education and empowering women, particularly
in rural areas of India. Overall, Sudha Murthy is
considered an inspirational figure in India and
around the world, known for her dedication to
social causes, her literary contributions, and her
leadership in the IT industry.

17. Adi Shankaracharya

Adi Shankaracharya, also known as Shankara


Bhagavatpada, was an Indian philosopher and
theologian who lived from the 8th to the 9th
century CE. He is regarded as one of the most
prominent figures in the development of
Hinduism, particularly in the Advaita Vedanta
school of philosophy. Shankaracharya was born
in Kaladi, Kerala, India and was a child prodigy.
He is said to have mastered the Vedas and
other Hindu scriptures at a young age and went
on to study under several renowned scholars.

[30]
Shankaracharya is best known for his
commentaries on the Upanishads, Bhagavad
Gita, and Brahma Sutras, which are considered
to be the foundational texts of Hinduism. He
also wrote many original works, including the
Vivekachudamani, which is a treatise on Advaita
Vedanta. Shankaracharya's philosophy
emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality, in
which the individual self (jiva) and the ultimate
reality (Brahman) are one and the same. He
argued that the pursuit of knowledge and the
realization of one's true nature are the keys to
spiritual liberation. Shankaracharya's teachings
have had a profound influence on Indian culture
and philosophy. His followers established the
four monasteries (mathas) in the four corners of
India to spread his teachings and philosophy.
Today, Shankaracharya's influence can be seen
not only in Hinduism but also in Buddhism,
Jainism, and other Indian religions.

18. Chattrapati Shivaji


Maharaj

Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj, also known as


Shivaji Bhonsle, was a legendary Indian warrior

[31]
king and a Maratha Empire founder. He was
born on February 19, 1630, in Shivneri Fort,
Maharashtra, India, and died on April 3, 1680, in
Raigad Fort, Maharashtra, India. Shivaji Maharaj
is widely regarded as one of the most important
figures in Indian history, as he played a vital role
in establishing the Maratha Empire in India. He
was known for his bravery, military tactics, and
strategic thinking, which he employed to
defend the Maratha Empire against the Mughal
Empire. Shivaji Maharaj was an accomplished
military leader, who fought several battles and
conquered many territories. He also initiated a
number of reforms and policies, including the
concept of 'swaraj' (self-rule) and the
establishment of a strong navy. He was a
devout Hindu and strongly believed in the
values of justice, equality, and freedom. He was
also a patron of the arts and literature and
encouraged the development of Marathi
language and culture. Shivaji Maharaj's legacy is
still revered in India today, and he is celebrated
as a national hero and a symbol of resistance
against foreign domination. His life and
achievements continue to inspire many people,
and his name is synonymous with courage,
strength, and patriotism.

[32]
19. M.C. Mary Kom

M.C. Mary Kom, also known as Magnificent


Mary, is an Indian boxer and a six-time world
champion. She has also won several other
international and national titles, including a
bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in
London. Mary Kom was born on March 1, 1983,
in Kangathei, a small village in the state of
Manipur, India. She grew up in poverty but was
determined to pursue her passion for boxing.
She began training at a local boxing club and
soon made her mark in the sport. Despite facing
numerous challenges, including discrimination
and lack of support, Mary Kom continued to
work hard and achieve success. She is
considered a trailblazer for women's boxing in
India and has inspired many young girls to take
up the sport. In addition to her achievements in
boxing, Mary Kom is also known for her
philanthropic work and has been involved in
various social causes. She has been honored
with numerous awards for her contributions,

[33]
including the Padma Bhushan, India's third-
highest civilian award.

20. Prithviraj Chauhan

Prithviraj Chauhan (1149/1168 CE – 1192 CE)


was a king of the Chauhan dynasty who ruled
from 1178 CE to 1192 CE. He was a king of the
Rajput dynasty and is known for his bravery,
chivalry, and military skills. Prithviraj Chauhan is
best known for his legendary battles against the
Ghurid Empire, especially the Battle of Tarain in
1191 CE. He defeated the Ghurid ruler,
Muhammad Ghori, in the first battle of Tarain,
but was defeated in the second battle of Tarain
in 1192 CE, which ultimately led to the end of
his reign. Prithviraj Chauhan is also famous for
his love story with his queen, Samyukta. Their
love story is the subject of many ballads and
poems in Indian folklore and literature. Overall,
Prithviraj Chauhan is remembered as a brave
and valiant king who fought against the foreign
invaders and defended his kingdom with great
courage and determination.

[34]
21. Chanakya

Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or


Vishnugupta, was a renowned Indian
statesman, philosopher, and scholar who lived
in ancient India around the 4th century BCE. He
is best known for his role as the chief advisor to
the first Mauryan emperor, Chandragupta
Maurya, and for his seminal work, the
Arthashastra. Chanakya was born in the ancient
city of Taxila (present-day Pakistan) and is said
to have been a student of the famous
philosopher and teacher, Takshashila. He was
well-versed in various fields such as economics,
politics, ethics, and diplomacy. Chanakya played
a pivotal role in the founding of the Mauryan
Empire by helping Chandragupta Maurya defeat
the powerful Nanda dynasty. He is also credited
with laying the foundation of the centralized
administrative system that was the hallmark of
the Mauryan Empire. Chanakya's Arthashastra
is a treatise on governance, economics, and
politics that provides a detailed roadmap for
rulers on how to govern their kingdoms
efficiently. The Arthashastra is considered one
of the most important works of Indian political

[35]
thought and has had a profound influence on
Indian politics and administration.

22. Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin was a British actor, filmmaker,


and composer who became one of the most
influential figures in the history of cinema. He
was born on April 16, 1889, in London, England,
and began his career in the entertainment
industry at a young age, performing on stage
with his parents. Chaplin's breakthrough came
in 1914, when he joined Keystone Studios and
created his famous character, "The Tramp."
With his bowler hat, cane, and distinctive
mustache, Chaplin's portrayal of the lovable and
hapless Tramp captured the hearts of audiences
around the world. Over the course of his career,
Chaplin made dozens of films, including classics
like "City Lights," "Modern Times," and "The
Great Dictator." He was known for his physical
comedy, his ability to blend humor and pathos,
and his social commentary. Chaplin was also a
composer, and he wrote the scores for many of
his films. In addition, he was a prolific writer,

[36]
director, and producer, and he founded his own
production company, United Artists, in 1919.
Chaplin's personal life was often turbulent, and
he was embroiled in several scandals
throughout his career. He was also politically
active and was a vocal critic of fascism and the
Nazi regime. Chaplin's influence on cinema and
popular culture is immeasurable, and he
remains one of the most iconic figures in film
history. He died on December 25, 1977, at the
age of 88.

23. William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was an English playwright,


poet, and actor who is widely regarded as one
of the greatest writers in the English language
and one of the most important figures in the
history of Western literature. He was born in
Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in 1564 and died
in 1616 at the age of 52. Shakespeare's plays
are known for their universal themes, complex
characters, and poetic language. He wrote
tragedies, comedies, and historical plays,
including "Romeo and Juliet," "Hamlet,"
"Macbeth," "Othello," "King Lear," and "Julius

[37]
Caesar." He also wrote 154 sonnets that are
considered among the finest in English
literature. Shakespeare's plays were performed
during his lifetime and have continued to be
performed and adapted in countless
productions around the world. His influence on
literature and the English language is vast, with
many common phrases and expressions, such
as "all's well that ends well," "to be or not to
be," and "fair play," originating from his works.
Despite his lasting legacy, relatively little is
known about Shakespeare's life. He was
married to Anne Hathaway and had three
children, but much of his personal life remains a
mystery. Scholars continue to study his works
and attempt to uncover new insights into his life
and career. Today, Shakespeare is celebrated as
a master of the written word and his works
continue to inspire and delight readers, viewers,
and performers around the world.

24. Leo Tolstoy

Leo Tolstoy was a Russian novelist and


philosopher who is widely regarded as one of
the greatest writers in the history of literature.

[38]
He was born on September 9, 1828, in Yasnaya
Polyana, Russia, and died on November 20,
1910, at the age of 82. Tolstoy is best known for
his two masterpieces, "War and Peace" and
"Anna Karenina," which are considered among
the greatest novels ever written. His works are
known for their depth of character, vivid
descriptions of Russian society, and profound
moral themes. Tolstoy was also a social
reformer and an advocate for nonviolent
resistance. He believed in the importance of
living a simple, moral life and rejected the
excesses of the aristocracy and the church.
Later in life, he became a Christian anarchist,
advocating for the abolition of the state and the
church. Tolstoy's literary and philosophical
works continue to inspire readers around the
world. His writings have had a profound impact
on the course of Russian literature and on the
development of modern thought. He remains
an enduring figure in world literature and a
symbol of the power of the written word to
illuminate the human condition.

25. Charles Darwin

[39]
Charles Darwin (1809-1882) was an English
naturalist and biologist who is best known for
his contributions to the theory of evolution. He
is often referred to as the father of evolutionary
theory. Darwin was born in Shrewsbury,
England, and grew up in a family of wealthy
merchants and professionals. He studied at the
University of Edinburgh and the University of
Cambridge, where he became interested in
natural history and geology. In 1831, Darwin
embarked on a five-year scientific expedition
aboard the HMS Beagle, during which he visited
South America, the Galapagos Islands, and
other locations around the world. On this
voyage, he collected a vast amount of
specimens and made observations that would
later inform his theory of evolution. Darwin's
theory of evolution by natural selection,
published in his book "On the Origin of Species"
in 1859, proposed that species change over
time as a result of the pressures of natural
selection. This theory challenged the prevailing
view of creationism and sparked a heated
scientific and religious debate. Darwin
continued to work on his theories throughout
his life, publishing several more books on
evolution and other topics. He is widely
regarded as one of the most influential

[40]
scientists in history, and his ideas continue to
shape our understanding of biology and the
natural world today.

26. Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was the 16th


President of the United States, serving from
1861 until his assassination in 1865. He is widely
considered one of the greatest American
presidents and is known for his leadership
during the Civil War and his efforts to preserve
the Union and end slavery. Lincoln was born in
a log cabin in Kentucky and grew up in poverty.
He received little formal education but was an
avid reader and self-taught himself many
subjects. He worked as a farmer, store clerk,
and surveyor before becoming a lawyer. In
1834, Lincoln was elected to the Illinois state
legislature and later served one term in the U.S.
House of Representatives. He gained national
prominence during a series of debates with
Stephen Douglas in the 1858 Illinois Senate
race. In 1860, Lincoln won the presidential
election with less than 40% of the popular vote
but a majority in the Electoral College. His

[41]
victory led to the secession of several southern
states and the start of the Civil War. During the
war, Lincoln was known for his determination to
preserve the Union and his leadership of the
Union army. He also issued the Emancipation
Proclamation in 1863, which declared that all
slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be
set free. Lincoln was re-elected in 1864 but was
assassinated by John Wilkes Booth just days
after the end of the war in April 1865. His legacy
as a leader who successfully preserved the
Union and ended slavery has made him one of
the most revered figures in American history.

27. Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) was a South


African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician,
and philanthropist who served as the first black
President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He
is widely regarded as one of the most important
figures in modern African history and is known
for his efforts to promote racial reconciliation,
democracy, and human rights. Born in a rural
village in South Africa, Mandela became

[42]
involved in anti-apartheid activism as a young
lawyer. He was a member of the African
National Congress (ANC) and became one of its
leaders in the 1950s. In 1962, he was arrested
and sentenced to life imprisonment for his
involvement in anti-apartheid activities.
Mandela spent 27 years in prison, during which
time he became a symbol of the anti-apartheid
movement and an international icon for human
rights. He was released in 1990 and played a
key role in negotiating an end to apartheid and
establishing a democratic government in South
Africa. As President, Mandela worked to
promote national reconciliation and economic
development. He also established the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission, which investigated
human rights abuses during the apartheid era
and helped to bring about healing and
reconciliation in South Africa. Mandela was
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and is
widely regarded as one of the most important
and inspiring leaders of the 20th century. His
legacy continues to inspire people around the
world to fight for freedom, justice, and equality.

[43]
28. Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) was a king of


Macedon, a state in northern Greece, who
conquered much of the known world and
established one of the largest empires in
history. He was one of the most successful
military commanders of all time and is widely
regarded as one of the greatest military
strategists in history. Alexander became king of
Macedon at the age of 20 after his father, King
Philip II, was assassinated. He immediately
began a campaign to conquer the Persian
Empire, which he saw as a threat to Greece. He
successfully defeated the Persians in several
major battles, including the Battle of Issus and
the Battle of Gaugamela, and established
control over much of the Middle East.
Alexander then continued his conquests into
Egypt, where he founded the city of Alexandria,
and into India, where he defeated the powerful
ruler Porus. He is also known for his support of
Greek culture and the spread of Hellenistic
culture throughout the regions he conquered.
Alexander died in 323 BC at the age of 32,
possibly as a result of poisoning. Despite his
relatively short life, his legacy as a military

[44]
genius and empire-builder has had a lasting
impact on history. He is still revered as a hero in
many cultures and his achievements continue
to inspire people to this day.

29. Ashoka the Great

Ashoka the Great (304-232 BCE) was an Indian


emperor of the Maurya dynasty who ruled from
268 to 232 BCE. He is widely regarded as one of
the greatest emperors in Indian history, and his
reign is remembered as a time of peace,
prosperity, and social justice. Ashoka was the
grandson of the founder of the Maurya Empire,
Chandragupta Maurya, and he became emperor
after a bloody struggle for succession. Initially,
Ashoka was a ruthless conqueror who
expanded the Mauryan Empire through military
campaigns, but after a particularly brutal
campaign against the kingdom of Kalinga, he
had a change of heart. Following the Kalinga
War, Ashoka renounced violence and embraced
Buddhism. He became a staunch advocate of
nonviolence, religious tolerance, and social
justice. He implemented policies to promote

[45]
the welfare of his subjects, including building
hospitals, planting trees, and providing food
and shelter for the poor. Ashoka's reign was
marked by the spread of Buddhism throughout
India and the rest of Asia. He sent missionaries
to neighboring kingdoms to promote the
religion, and he built many Buddhist stupas and
monuments throughout his empire. Today,
Ashoka is remembered as a model ruler who
embodied the ideals of justice, compassion, and
religious tolerance. His legacy continues to
inspire people in India and around the world to
work for peace and social justice.

30. Charles Babbage

Charles Babbage (1791-1871) was an English


mathematician, inventor, and mechanical
engineer who is credited with designing the first
mechanical computer. Babbage was born in
London, and showed an early aptitude for
mathematics. He studied at Cambridge
University and later became a fellow of the
Royal Society. Babbage's most famous invention
was the Analytical Engine, a machine that could
perform complex calculations using punched

[46]
cards. He first conceived of the idea in the early
1800s, and spent decades working on its design.
Although he never completed a working version
of the Analytical Engine during his lifetime, his
work paved the way for the development of
modern computers. Babbage was also known
for his contributions to cryptography, and for
his advocacy of scientific and technological
education. He wrote several influential books
on mathematics and science, including "On the
Economy of Machinery and Manufactures" and
"The Ninth Bridgewater Treatise." Babbage died
in 1871, and was buried in London's Kensal
Green Cemetery. He is remembered as one of
the pioneers of modern computing, and his
designs for the Analytical Engine are now
recognized as important milestones in the
history of technology.

31. Srinivasa Ramanujan

Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887-1920) was an Indian


mathematician who made significant
contributions to the fields of number theory,
mathematical analysis, and infinite series.

[47]
Despite having no formal training in
mathematics beyond high school, Ramanujan
independently developed many groundbreaking
results that were later confirmed by established
mathematicians. Ramanujan's work includes the
discovery of the famous Ramanujan prime and
the Ramanujan theta function, which have
applications in various fields of mathematics
and physics. He also made important
contributions to the study of partitions of
integers, modular forms, continued fractions,
and mock theta functions. Ramanujan's life and
work have inspired numerous books, films, and
plays, including the biographical drama "The
Man Who Knew Infinity." Today, he is widely
regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians
of all time, and his work continues to be studied
and celebrated by mathematicians and
enthusiasts around the world.

32. Christopher
Columbus

Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) was an


Italian explorer and navigator who is best
known for his voyages across the Atlantic

[48]
Ocean, which led to the discovery of the
Americas. Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy,
and began his seafaring career as a young man,
eventually becoming a skilled sailor and
navigator. In 1492, Columbus received funding
from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of
Spain to embark on an expedition to find a
western route to the East Indies. He set sail
with three ships – the Nina, the Pinta, and the
Santa Maria – and after several weeks at sea, he
and his crew landed on an island in the
Bahamas, which he named San Salvador. Over
the course of four voyages to the New World,
Columbus explored the Caribbean, Central and
South America, and parts of North America. His
expeditions had a significant impact on world
history, leading to the establishment of
European colonies in the Americas and the
eventual colonization and exploitation of the
indigenous peoples who lived there. Columbus
is a controversial figure in history, as his arrival
in the Americas led to the displacement and
mistreatment of indigenous populations, as well
as the introduction of diseases that decimated
their communities. Nevertheless, he is still
widely celebrated in many parts of the world as
a pioneering explorer and a symbol of discovery
and exploration.

[49]
33. Eminem

Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Bruce


Mathers III, is an American rapper, songwriter,
and record producer. He was born on October
17, 1972, in St. Joseph, Missouri, and raised in
Detroit, Michigan. Eminem first gained
popularity in the late 1990s with the release of
his major-label debut album, "The Slim Shady
LP" (1999). The album earned him critical
acclaim and a devoted fan base with its
controversial lyrics and humorous, self-
deprecating tone. Since then, Eminem has
released numerous hit albums, including "The
Marshall Mathers LP" (2000), "The Eminem
Show" (2002), "Encore" (2004), "Relapse"
(2009), "Recovery" (2010), "The Marshall
Mathers LP 2" (2013), "Revival" (2017), and
"Kamikaze" (2018). He has sold more than 150
million records worldwide and is considered
one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Eminem is known for his intricate wordplay,
dark humor, and autobiographical lyrics that
explore his troubled upbringing, struggles with
addiction, and personal relationships. He has
also been praised for his technical skill as a
rapper, his ability to convey emotion through

[50]
his music, and his willingness to address
controversial topics such as homophobia, drug
addiction, and violence. In addition to his music
career, Eminem has also acted in films such as
"8 Mile" (2002) and "The Interview" (2014) and
has been involved in various business ventures,
including his own record label, Shady Records,
and a clothing line, Shady Ltd.

34. Jack Ma

Jack Ma (Ma Yun) is a Chinese business


magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is the
co-founder and former executive chairman of
Alibaba Group, a multinational conglomerate
specializing in e-commerce, retail, technology,
and other fields. Ma was born on September
10, 1964, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. He
started his career as an English teacher and
later founded Alibaba in 1999 with a group of
17 friends. Under his leadership, Alibaba grew
into one of the world's largest e-commerce
companies, with businesses spanning multiple
industries and countries. In addition to his work
at Alibaba, Ma is also known for his
philanthropic activities. He has established the

[51]
Jack Ma Foundation, which focuses on
education, entrepreneurship, and
environmental protection. He has also been
involved in various social and political initiatives
in China, such as poverty alleviation and
promoting rural development. Ma stepped
down as executive chairman of Alibaba Group in
September 2019, but remains a member of the
company's board of directors.

35. Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan is a famous actor, director,


producer, and martial artist from Hong Kong. He
was born on April 7, 1954, in Victoria Peak,
Hong Kong. Chan is known for his acrobatic
fighting style, comic timing, and innovative
stunts. He has acted in over 150 films, including
the Rush Hour series, Kung Fu Panda, and The
Karate Kid. In addition to his work in films, Chan
is also a philanthropist and has supported
various causes, including disaster relief efforts,
education, and anti-drug campaigns. He is also a
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Chan has won
numerous awards throughout his career,
including the Lifetime Achievement Award at

[52]
the 2016 Oscars, the Grand Cordon of the Order
of the Rising Sun from the Japanese
government, and the Chevalier of the Ordre des
Arts et des Lettres from the French government.

36. Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi, also known as Mohandas


Karamchand Gandhi, was an Indian
independence activist who played a key role in
India's struggle for freedom from British
colonial rule. He was born on October 2, 1869,
in Porbandar, India. Gandhi was a lawyer by
profession but became involved in political
activism early in his life. He developed a
philosophy of nonviolent resistance, which he
called Satyagraha, and used it to mobilize the
Indian masses in the fight for independence.
Throughout his life, Gandhi led many campaigns
of civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance
against British rule. One of his most famous
campaigns was the Salt March of 1930, in which
he led a 240-mile walk to the Arabian Sea to
protest the British monopoly on salt production.
Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence and his
message of love, compassion, and unity inspired

[53]
many people around the world, including civil
rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Gandhi was
also an advocate for women's rights and social
equality, and worked to end caste
discrimination in India. Gandhi was assassinated
on January 30, 1948, by a Hindu nationalist who
opposed his message of religious tolerance and
nonviolence. However, his legacy continues to
inspire people around the world to strive for
peace, justice, and equality. Gandhi is often
referred to as the "Father of the Nation" in
India, and his birthday is celebrated as a
national holiday.

37. Stephen Hawkings

Stephen Hawking (1942-2018) was a world-


renowned theoretical physicist and cosmologist.
He was born in Oxford, England, and studied at
the University of Oxford and the University of
Cambridge, where he received his PhD in
cosmology in 1966. Hawking is best known for
his work on black holes and the nature of the
universe. He proposed the idea that black holes
emit radiation, which became known as
Hawking radiation. He also wrote several

[54]
popular science books, including "A Brief
History of Time," which has sold millions of
copies worldwide and made him a household
name. Hawking was diagnosed with
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known
as Lou Gehrig's disease, at the age of 21, and
was given just a few years to live. Despite his
illness, he continued to work and make
significant contributions to the field of
theoretical physics, using a speech-generating
device to communicate. Hawking received
numerous awards and honors throughout his
life, including the Presidential Medal of
Freedom, the highest civilian award in the
United States, and the Order of the Companions
of Honour, one of the highest honors in the
United Kingdom. He passed away in 2018 at the
age of 76, leaving behind a legacy of
groundbreaking scientific discoveries and
inspiring resilience in the face of adversity.

38. Cristino Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is a professional football


player from Portugal who currently plays as a
forward for Manchester United and the

[55]
Portugal national team. He is considered one of
the greatest footballers of all time and has won
numerous awards and accolades throughout his
career. Ronaldo began his professional career
with Sporting CP in Portugal before moving to
Manchester United in 2003. He played for
United for six seasons, during which time he
won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup,
one UEFA Champions League, and one FIFA Club
World Cup. In 2009, Ronaldo moved to Real
Madrid for a then-world record transfer fee of
€94 million. During his time with Real Madrid,
he won four UEFA Champions League titles, two
La Liga titles, and four Ballon d'Or awards. In
2018, he transferred to Juventus for a fee of
€100 million, where he won two Serie A titles
before returning to Manchester United in 2021.
Ronaldo is known for his exceptional skills on
the pitch, including his speed, dribbling ability,
and scoring prowess. He has scored over 700
career goals and is the all-time top scorer for
both the Portugal national team and Real
Madrid. Off the pitch, he is also known for his
philanthropic work and charitable donations.

39. Mother Teresa

[56]
Mother Teresa, also known as Saint Teresa of
Calcutta, was a Catholic nun and missionary
who dedicated her life to serving the poor and
sick. She was born on August 26, 1910, in
Skopje, now North Macedonia, and was named
Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu. In 1928, Mother Teresa
left her home to join the Sisters of Loreto, an
Irish Catholic order of nuns, and took her vows
in 1931. She taught at a school in Calcutta,
India, for many years before feeling called to
serve the poorest of the poor. In 1948, Mother
Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a
religious congregation dedicated to serving the
sick and dying. The Missionaries of Charity
began in a small room in Calcutta and
eventually grew to include more than 4,000
sisters in 133 countries. They provide aid to
people suffering from diseases such as leprosy,
tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, as well as those
who are homeless, hungry, and in need of
medical care. Mother Teresa received many
honors for her work, including the Nobel Peace
Prize in 1979. She died on September 5, 1997,
in Calcutta. She was beatified by the Catholic
Church in 2003 and canonized as a saint in
2016. She is remembered for her selfless
devotion to serving the poorest of the poor and

[57]
for her inspirational example of faith and love in
action.

40. Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) was a German


politician and leader of the Nazi Party, which
came to power in Germany in 1933. He was
born in Austria and served as a soldier in World
War I, where he was injured and awarded the
Iron Cross. After the war, he joined the German
Workers' Party, which later became the Nazi
Party. Hitler's ideology was based on a racist
and anti-Semitic worldview, which he used to
gain support from the German people. He
believed that Germans were a superior race and
that Jews, homosexuals, Romani people, and
other groups were inferior and should be
persecuted or eliminated. As Chancellor of
Germany, Hitler began implementing policies
that led to the persecution and murder of
millions of people, including six million Jews in
the Holocaust. He also led Germany into World
War II, which resulted in the deaths of millions
more people. Hitler's regime was defeated in
1945, and he committed suicide in his bunker as

[58]
Allied forces closed in on Berlin. He remains one
of the most reviled figures in history and his
legacy continues to be felt in the world today.

41. Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) was a Spanish artist


widely considered one of the most influential
artists of the 20th century. He is known for his
role in the development of Cubism, an art
movement that emphasized geometric shapes
and abstract forms. Picasso was born in Malaga,
Spain and showed an early talent for art. He
moved to Paris in 1900, where he developed his
artistic style and became part of the avant-
garde art scene. He collaborated with other
artists and poets, including Georges Braque and
Guillaume Apollinaire. Picasso's works are
known for their bold use of color, distorted
forms, and unconventional composition. He was
a prolific artist, producing thousands of
paintings, drawings, and sculptures over his
long career. Some of his most famous works
include "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon,"
"Guernica," and "The Old Guitarist." Picasso's
influence on art and culture was immense, and

[59]
his works continue to be studied and admired
today. He received numerous awards and
honors during his lifetime, including the Legion
of Honor from the French government and the
Presidential Medal of Freedom from the United
States.

42. Sardar Vallabhbhai


Patel

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1875-1950) was an


Indian politician and one of the founding fathers
of the Republic of India. He was instrumental in
the country's struggle for independence from
British rule and played a key role in the
integration of the princely states into the newly-
formed Indian Union. Patel was born in Gujarat,
India and studied law in London. He returned to
India and began practicing law, but soon
became involved in the Indian independence
movement. He was a close associate of
Mahatma Gandhi and played a leading role in
many of the non-violent protests and civil
disobedience campaigns against British rule.
After India gained independence in 1947, Patel
was appointed as the country's first Deputy

[60]
Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs. He
was responsible for overseeing the integration
of over 500 princely states into the Indian
Union, a process that was essential for the
formation of a united and democratic India.
Patel was known for his administrative and
organizational skills, and was affectionately
known as the "Iron Man of India" for his
determination and leadership. He died in 1950,
and is remembered as one of India's greatest
statesmen and a champion of democracy and
unity. The world's tallest statue, the Statue of
Unity, was erected in his honor in Gujarat, India.

43. Subhash Chandra


Bose

Subhash Chandra Bose (23 January 1897 – 18


August 1945) was an Indian nationalist and
freedom fighter who played a key role in India's
struggle for independence against British rule.
He was born in Cuttack, Orissa, India and was
educated in India and England. Bose was
strongly influenced by the teachings of Swami
Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi. In 1921,
Bose joined the Indian National Congress and

[61]
became a leader of the party's youth wing.
However, he soon became disillusioned with
the Congress and left the party in 1939 to form
the Forward Bloc, a political group that
advocated for complete independence from
British rule. During World War II, Bose sought
the help of Germany and Japan to fight against
the British. He formed the Indian National Army
(INA) in 1942 and led it against the British in
Burma and Northeast India. He also established
the Provisional Government of Free India in
1943 and declared war on Britain. Bose died in a
plane crash in Taiwan on 18 August 1945, under
mysterious circumstances. His legacy continues
to inspire many Indians, and he is regarded as a
hero and a patriot who sacrificed his life for
India’s freedom.

44. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is an Indian cricketer and the current


captain of the Indian national cricket team. He
was born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India.
Kohli started playing cricket at a young age and
made his debut for the Indian cricket team in
August 2008. He is considered to be one of the

[62]
best batsmen in the world and has numerous
records to his name. Kohli has scored over
12,000 runs in One Day International (ODI)
cricket, making him one of the highest run-
scorers in the format. He has also scored over
7,500 runs in Test cricket and has a batting
average of over 50 in both formats. He has been
awarded numerous accolades for his
performances, including the Sir Garfield Sobers
Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2017 and
2018. In addition to his impressive individual
performances, Kohli has also led the Indian
cricket team to numerous victories, including
the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2021
Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. He is
known for his aggressive and passionate
leadership style and is considered to be one of
the best captains in the history of Indian cricket.
Off the field, Kohli is known for his philanthropic
work and is the founder of the Virat Kohli
Foundation, which focuses on supporting
underprivileged children and sports
development in India. He is also a successful
entrepreneur, with his own clothing line and a
stake in the Indian Premier League team, the
Royal Challengers Bangalore.

[63]
45. M.S. Dhoni

M.S. Dhoni, also known as Mahendra Singh


Dhoni, is a former Indian cricketer and captain
of the Indian cricket team. He was born on July
7, 1981, in Ranchi, Bihar (now Jharkhand), India.
Dhoni began his cricketing career playing for
Bihar in domestic cricket, before making his
debut for the Indian cricket team in December
2004. He quickly became known for his
aggressive batting style and his ability to finish
matches. In 2007, Dhoni was appointed as the
captain of the Indian cricket team, and he led
the team to many victories, including the 2007
ICC World Twenty20, the 2010 and 2016 Asia
Cups, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, and the
2013 ICC Champions Trophy. Dhoni is regarded
as one of the most successful captains in the
history of Indian cricket. Dhoni retired from Test
cricket in 2014, and from international cricket in
August 2020. He continues to play in the Indian
Premier League (IPL) for the Chennai Super
Kings. Dhoni is also a recipient of numerous
awards, including the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna
award, India's highest sporting honour.

[64]
46. P.T. Usha

Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha, popularly


known as P.T. Usha, is a former Indian track and
field athlete who is regarded as one of the
greatest athletes in Indian history. She was born
on June 27, 1964, in the state of Kerala, India.
Usha's first major international success came in
1982, when she won silver medals in the 100m
and 200m events at the Asian Games held in
Delhi, India. She went on to represent India at
the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles,
where she narrowly missed out on a bronze
medal in the 400m hurdles event, finishing
fourth. In the years that followed, Usha
continued to dominate at the Asian level,
winning multiple gold medals in the Asian
Games and the Asian Athletics Championships.
She also set many national records and became
known for her speed and agility on the track.
Usha retired from athletics in 2000 and has
since devoted her time to coaching young
athletes at the Usha School of Athletics in
Kerala. She has received numerous awards and
honours, including the Arjuna Award and the
Padma Shri, two of India's highest civilian
awards, for her contributions to Indian sports.

[65]
47. David Goggins

David Goggins is an American endurance


athlete, motivational speaker, and retired
United States Navy SEAL. He was born on
February 17, 1975, in Buffalo, New York.
Goggins is known for his incredible feats of
physical endurance, mental toughness, and
motivational speaking. He has completed
numerous ultra-marathons, triathlons, and
endurance races, including the Badwater 135, a
135-mile race through Death Valley, California,
and the Ultraman World Championships in
Hawaii. Goggins is also a best-selling author,
with his book "Can't Hurt Me: Master Your
Mind and Defy the Odds" detailing his life story,
including his abusive childhood, his military
service, and his incredible physical
achievements. He is known for his motivational
speeches and coaching, helping people to
overcome obstacles and push through mental
and physical barriers. Throughout his life,
Goggins has overcome numerous obstacles,
including obesity, a learning disability, and racial
prejudice. He is an inspiration to many people
and his story of resilience and determination
has motivated countless individuals to push

[66]
themselves to their limits and achieve their
goals.

48. Milkha Singh

Milkha Singh was an Indian track and field


sprinter, also known as "The Flying Sikh". He
was born on October 20, 1929, in Punjab,
British India, and passed away on June 18, 2021,
due to complications from COVID-19. Milkha
Singh is widely regarded as one of India's
greatest athletes, having won numerous gold
medals at international events, including the
1958 and 1962 Asian Games. He also
represented India at the 1956, 1960, and 1964
Olympic Games. Milkha Singh's life and
achievements have been the subject of several
books and films, including the Bollywood biopic
"Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" released in 2013. His
determination and perseverance in the face of
adversity, including the trauma of the partition
of India, have inspired millions of people around
the world. Milkha Singh was a role model and
inspiration to many, both within and outside
the sports community. His legacy continues to

[67]
inspire future generations of athletes in India
and around the world.

49. Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs (1955-2011) was an American


entrepreneur, inventor, and co-founder of
Apple Inc. He was born in San Francisco,
California, and was adopted by Paul and Clara
Jobs. Jobs showed a passion for electronics and
design from an early age, and he went on to
study computer science and calligraphy in
college. In 1976, Jobs and Steve Wozniak co-
founded Apple Computer, Inc. in Jobs' parents'
garage. They introduced the Apple I computer
the same year, which was the first personal
computer to have a single-circuit board. In
1977, Apple introduced the Apple II computer,
which became a best-seller and made Apple a
household name. After leaving Apple in 1985
due to internal conflicts, Jobs founded NeXT
Computer, a company that focused on creating
high-end computers for the education and
business markets. NeXT was later acquired by
Apple in 1997, and Jobs returned to the
company as CEO. Under Jobs' leadership, Apple

[68]
launched a series of highly successful products,
including the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Jobs
was known for his attention to design and
detail, as well as his ability to anticipate and
create consumer demand for new technologies.
He was also known for his charismatic
personality and his famous product launch
events, which became highly anticipated events
in the tech world. Jobs' legacy in the tech
industry is immense, and he is widely regarded
as one of the most innovative and influential
entrepreneurs of the modern era. He passed
away in 2011 due to complications from
pancreatic cancer.

50. Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar, also known as the "Rawalpindi


Express", is a former Pakistani cricketer and one
of the fastest bowlers in the history of cricket.
He was born on August 13, 1975, in Rawalpindi,
Pakistan. Akhtar made his debut for the
Pakistan cricket team in 1997 and went on to
have a successful career, taking 247 wickets in
46 Test matches and 438 wickets in 163 One
Day Internationals (ODIs). He was known for his

[69]
express pace and aggressive style of bowling,
which made him a fearsome opponent for
batsmen around the world. Despite his success
on the field, Akhtar was often plagued by
controversy throughout his career. He faced a
number of disciplinary issues, including
allegations of ball tampering, doping, and
conflicts with team management. However, his
talent and performance on the field ensured
that he remained a popular and influential
figure in the world of cricket. After retiring from
international cricket in 2011, Akhtar has worked
as a cricket commentator and analyst, as well as
a motivational speaker. He has also been
involved in a number of business ventures,
including launching his own line of sports goods
and apparel.

51. Bill Gates

Bill Gates is an American entrepreneur,


philanthropist, and software developer who co-
founded Microsoft Corporation, the world's
largest personal-computer software company,
with Paul Allen in 1975. He was born on
October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington, and

[70]
grew up in an upper-middle-class family. Gates
attended Harvard University, but dropped out
in 1975 to pursue his business venture with
Allen. Under Gates' leadership, Microsoft
became one of the most successful and
influential technology companies in the world,
developing software for personal computers
and helping to revolutionize the computer
industry. In addition to his work at Microsoft,
Gates is also known for his philanthropy. He and
his wife, Melinda Gates, founded the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation, which is dedicated
to improving global health, reducing poverty,
and increasing access to education and
technology. The foundation has donated billions
of dollars to support these causes. Gates is also
a prolific writer and speaker, and has published
several books on business and technology. He
has been recognized for his contributions to
technology and philanthropy, receiving
numerous awards and honors, including being
named Time magazine's "Man of the Year" in
1999 and receiving the Presidential Medal of
Freedom in 2016.

52. Maharana Pratap

[71]
Maharana Pratap was a Rajput warrior and the
ruler of the Mewar region in present-day
Rajasthan, India, from 1572 to 1597. He was
born on May 9, 1540, in Kumbhalgarh, and was
the eldest son of Maharana Udai Singh II.
Maharana Pratap is remembered for his bravery
and valour in resisting Mughal emperor Akbar's
attempts to conquer his kingdom. He fought
many battles against Akbar's forces and was
known for his guerrilla tactics and strategic
planning. His most famous battle was the Battle
of Haldighati in 1576, where he led a small force
against a much larger Mughal army. Although
he lost the battle, he managed to escape and
continued his resistance against the Mughals.
Maharana Pratap was also known for his sense
of justice and his respect for his people's culture
and traditions. He was a patron of the arts and
encouraged the development of literature and
music in his kingdom. Maharana Pratap died on
January 19, 1597, at the age of 56. He is
remembered as a hero and a symbol of Rajput
resistance against Mughal rule. His legacy
continues to inspire people in India, particularly
in the state of Rajasthan, where he is revered as
a legendary figure.

[72]
53. Satyajit Ray

Satyajit Ray was a renowned Indian filmmaker,


screenwriter, music composer, graphic
designer, and author. He was born on May 2,
1921, in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India, and
passed away on April 23, 1992. Ray is
considered one of the greatest filmmakers in
the history of Indian cinema and is particularly
known for his realism and humanism in his
films. Ray's film career began in 1955 with the
release of his debut film "Pather Panchali,"
which was based on a novel by Bibhutibhushan
Bandopadhyay. The film was a critical and
commercial success, winning numerous awards
and establishing Ray as a major talent in Indian
cinema. He went on to direct several more films
in what became known as the "Apu Trilogy,"
which followed the life of a young boy named
Apu. In addition to his work in film, Ray was also
an accomplished writer and illustrator. He
wrote numerous books, including a popular
series of detective novels featuring the
character Feluda. He also designed the iconic
cover of the first edition of "The Martian
Chronicles" by Ray Bradbury. Throughout his
career, Ray was the recipient of many awards

[73]
and honors, including the Bharat Ratna, India's
highest civilian award. His films continue to be
celebrated and studied by filmmakers and
critics around the world.

54. R.K. Narayan

R.K. Narayan (full name: Rasipuram


Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami) was an
Indian writer, best known for his works of
fiction set in the fictional town of Malgudi in
South India. He was born on October 10, 1906,
in Madras (now Chennai), India, and passed
away on May 13, 2001, in Chennai. Narayan's
literary career spanned over six decades, and he
wrote 14 novels, five collections of short stories,
a memoir, and numerous essays. His works are
known for their simplicity, wit, and vivid
descriptions of Indian life and culture. Some of
his most famous works include "Swami and
Friends," "The Bachelor of Arts," "The Guide,"
and "The Man-Eater of Malgudi." Narayan was a
recipient of many awards and honors, including
the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan,
two of India's highest civilian honors. He was
also nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature

[74]
multiple times. Narayan's works continue to be
widely read and admired today, both in India
and around the world, for their unique
portrayal of Indian life and culture, and for their
universal themes of love, loss, and human
nature.

55. Birsa Munda

Birsa Munda was a tribal leader and folk hero of


the Munda tribe in the present-day states of
Jharkhand and Bihar in India. He was born on
November 15, 1875, in a small village called
Ulihatu in the Khunti district of Jharkhand. Birsa
Munda played a significant role in the Indian
independence movement, particularly in the
tribal belt of present-day Jharkhand. He led a
rebellion against the British colonial
government and the oppressive feudal system
that was prevalent in the region at the time. He
fought for the rights of the tribal people and
their land. Birsa Munda formed a guerrilla army
and conducted several raids against the British,
disrupting their operations in the region. He
also encouraged the tribal people to boycott
the British government and to refuse to pay

[75]
taxes. Birsa Munda's movement was
suppressed by the British authorities, and he
was arrested in 1900. He died in prison on June
9, 1900, at the age of 25. However, his legacy
continued to inspire the tribal people of the
region, and he is regarded as a hero and a
symbol of resistance against oppression. Today,
Birsa Munda is remembered and celebrated as
one of the most prominent freedom fighters in
India's history.

56. Alluri Sitaram Raju

Alluri Sitaram Raju was an Indian revolutionary


and tribal leader who played a prominent role
in the Indian independence movement. He was
born on July 4, 1897, in Pandrangi village of
Visakhapatnam district in present-day Andhra
Pradesh, India. Alluri Sitaram Raju is most
known for his leadership of the Rampa
Rebellion, also known as the Alluri Rebellion or
the Manyam Rebellion, which was a tribal
uprising against the British colonial government
in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh in the
early 1920s. The rebellion was fueled by the
British government's policies of forced labor

[76]
and taxation, which disproportionately affected
the tribal communities in the region. Alluri
Sitaram Raju led a guerrilla army of tribal
people and launched attacks on the British
administration, disrupting their operations and
communications. He encouraged the people to
resist the British and refused to pay taxes or
cooperate with the colonial government. The
rebellion was eventually suppressed by the
British, and Alluri Sitaram Raju was killed in a
battle with British forces on May 7, 1924, at the
age of 26. However, his legacy continued to
inspire the people of Andhra Pradesh, and he is
regarded as a hero and a symbol of resistance
against oppression. Today, Alluri Sitaram Raju is
remembered and celebrated as one of the most
prominent freedom fighters in India's history.

57. Saina Nehwal

Saina Nehwal is a former Indian badminton


player who was one of the leading players in
the world during her career. She was born on
March 17, 1990, in Hisar, Haryana, India. Saina
started playing badminton at the age of eight
and quickly showed great promise. She trained

[77]
under the guidance of coach Pullela Gopichand
at his badminton academy in Hyderabad, India.
Saina has won numerous titles throughout her
career, including a bronze medal at the 2012
London Olympics, a silver medal at the 2015
World Championships, and a gold medal at the
2010 Commonwealth Games. She has also been
the first Indian woman to achieve the world
number one ranking in badminton. Saina has
been honored with several awards for her
achievements in badminton, including the
Arjuna Award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, and the
Padma Shri. She has been a role model for
many aspiring badminton players in India and
around the world, inspiring them to follow in
her footsteps and achieve success in the sport.

58. Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho is a Brazilian author and lyricist


born on August 24, 1947, in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil. He is best known for his novel "The
Alchemist", which has sold millions of copies
worldwide and has been translated into over 80
languages. Coelho started his career as a
songwriter, working with Brazilian musicians

[78]
such as Raul Seixas and Elis Regina. However, it
was his writing that eventually brought him
worldwide fame. "The Alchemist", first
published in 1988, tells the story of a shepherd
boy named Santiago who travels to Egypt in
search of treasure and discovers his personal
legend along the way. Coelho's other notable
works include "Brida", "Veronika Decides to
Die", "The Devil and Miss Prym", and "Eleven
Minutes". He has sold over 225 million books
worldwide and is one of the bestselling authors
of all time. In addition to his writing, Coelho is
also an advocate for spirituality and self-
improvement. He regularly shares his insights
and philosophies with his readers through his
blog and social media channels. Coelho has
been honored with numerous awards for his
writing, including the Crystal Award from the
World Economic Forum and the Golden Book
Award from the Yugoslav Academy of Sciences
and Arts.

59. Warren Buffet

Warren Buffet is an American businessman,


investor, and philanthropist. He was born on

[79]
August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska, and is
considered one of the most successful investors
of all time. Buffet is the chairman and CEO of
Berkshire Hathaway, a conglomerate holding
company that owns a diverse range of
businesses, including GEICO, Duracell, Dairy
Queen, and See's Candies, among others. Buffet
started investing at a young age, and by the
time he was in his twenties, he had already
amassed a small fortune through his
investments. He is known for his value investing
strategy, which involves buying stocks of
companies that are undervalued by the market
and holding onto them for the long term. Buffet
is also known for his aversion to high-risk
investments and his focus on long-term gains
rather than short-term profits. Buffet is a well-
known philanthropist, having pledged to give
away 99% of his wealth to charitable causes
over his lifetime. He has donated billions of
dollars to organizations such as the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation, the Susan
Thompson Buffett Foundation (named after his
late wife), and the Howard G. Buffett
Foundation (named after his son). Buffet has
also been an advocate for increasing taxes on
the wealthy and reducing income inequality in
the United States.

[80]
60. Joe Biden

Joe Biden is an American politician who served


as the 46th President of the United States from
January 2021 to present. Prior to his presidency,
he served as Vice President under Barack
Obama from 2009 to 2017. Biden was born on
November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania,
and later moved to Delaware, where he began
his political career as a Senator in 1973. During
his time in the Senate, he served as Chairman of
the Foreign Relations Committee and was
known for his expertise in foreign policy. As Vice
President, Biden was a key advisor to Obama on
a wide range of issues, including the economy,
healthcare, and foreign policy. He played a
significant role in the passage of the Affordable
Care Act and helped shape U.S. policy towards
Russia, China, and the Middle East. In 2020,
Biden ran for President against incumbent
Donald Trump and won the election with a
record-breaking number of votes. He has since
focused on addressing the COVID-19 pandemic,
revitalizing the economy, and addressing issues
such as climate change and social justice.
Throughout his political career, Biden has been
known for his commitment to bipartisanship

[81]
and his advocacy for working-class Americans.
He has also been open about his personal
struggles, including the loss of his first wife and
daughter in a car accident and his son Beau's
battle with cancer

61. Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin is a Russian politician who has


been the President of the Russian Federation
since 2012, and previously held the position
from 2000 to 2008. He has also served as the
Prime Minister of Russia on two separate
occasions. Putin was born on October 7, 1952,
in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Russia. He
served in the KGB (the Soviet Union's security
agency) before entering politics in the early
1990s. He rose quickly through the ranks of the
Russian government, serving as the director of
the Federal Security Service (FSB) and as the
Prime Minister under President Boris Yeltsin. As
President, Putin has been known for his strong
leadership style and his focus on national
security and economic development. He has
pursued an aggressive foreign policy, including
the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014,

[82]
which was widely criticized by the international
community. Under Putin's leadership, Russia
has also been accused of human rights abuses,
including the suppression of political dissent,
restrictions on the media, and persecution of
minorities. Putin's government has also been
accused of meddling in the 2016 US Presidential
election and other democratic processes in
other countries. Despite these controversies,
Putin remains a popular figure in Russia and is
often credited with stabilizing the country after
the turbulence of the post-Soviet era. However,
his rule has also been marked by corruption and
political repression, leading to criticism both
within Russia and internationally.

62. Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda was a renowned Indian


Hindu monk, philosopher, and spiritual leader
who played a key role in introducing the
philosophy of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western
world. He was born in Kolkata, India in 1863 and
was known as Narendra Nath Datta before
taking monastic vows. Swami Vivekananda was
a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a

[83]
famous saint and mystic of Bengal, and became
a key figure in the Ramakrishna Mission, a
Hindu religious organization dedicated to the
spiritual, cultural, and social welfare of society.
Swami Vivekananda's teachings emphasized the
importance of self-realization, the unity of all
religions, and the service of humanity. He
stressed the need for spiritual growth alongside
intellectual development and social
responsibility, and his philosophy was based on
the belief that all human beings possess a divine
spark within them. Swami Vivekananda's
famous speech at the World Parliament of
Religions held in Chicago in 1893 brought him
international recognition and acclaim. He
passed away on July 4, 1902, at the young age
of 39, but his teachings continue to inspire
millions of people around the world

63. Maharishi Dayanand


Saraswati

Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati was an Indian


sage and social reformer who lived from 1824
to 1883. He was the founder of the Arya Samaj,
a Hindu reform movement that sought to revive

[84]
Vedic culture and values. Maharishi Dayanand
was born in Gujarat, India, and was named
Mool Shankar. He received his early education
from his father and later studied Sanskrit,
Vedas, and other scriptures under various
teachers. Maharishi Dayanand's teachings
emphasized the importance of Vedas and the
need to purify Hinduism from corrupt practices
that had crept into the religion over time. He
promoted the concept of monotheism and
denounced idol worship, caste system, and
other practices that he believed were not in line
with Vedic teachings. Maharishi Dayanand
advocated for women's education, widow
remarriage, and the abolition of child marriage.
He also opposed social evils such as
untouchability and advocated for social equality
and the upliftment of the marginalized sections
of society. Maharishi Dayanand's famous work,
"Satyarth Prakash" (The Light of Truth), is
considered to be one of the most important
works in the field of Hindu reform. He passed
away in Ajmer, Rajasthan, in 1883, but his
teachings continue to influence and inspire
people to this day.

[85]
64. Neymar jr.

Neymar Jr. is a Brazilian professional footballer


who plays as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain
and the Brazil national team. He was born on
February 5, 1992, in Mogi das Cruzes, São
Paulo, Brazil. Neymar began his career at the
youth academy of Santos FC, where he quickly
established himself as one of the brightest
prospects in Brazilian football. He made his
professional debut for Santos in 2009 and
helped the team win several titles, including the
Copa Libertadores in 2011. In 2013, Neymar
moved to Barcelona for a transfer fee of €57
million, where he formed a lethal attacking trio
with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. He won
numerous titles during his time at Barcelona,
including two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey
titles, and the UEFA Champions League. In 2017,
Neymar became the most expensive player in
history when he moved to Paris Saint-Germain
for a transfer fee of €222 million. He has
continued to perform at a high level at PSG,
winning several domestic titles and being
named Ligue 1 Player of the Year in 2018 and
2019. Neymar is widely regarded as one of the
best footballers in the world, known for his

[86]
speed, dribbling skills, and ability to score goals.
He has also been a key player for the Brazil
national team, helping them win the Copa
America in 2019 and reaching the quarter-finals
of the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.

65. Satya Nadella

Satya Nadella is an Indian-American business


executive who is currently the CEO of Microsoft
Corporation, one of the world's largest
technology companies. He was born on August
19, 1967, in Hyderabad, India. Nadella earned
his Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and
Communication degree from Manipal Institute
of Technology in India. He then moved to the
United States to pursue a Master of Science in
Computer Science from the University of
Wisconsin–Milwaukee and later an MBA from
the University of Chicago Booth School of
Business. Nadella started his career at Sun
Microsystems before joining Microsoft in 1992.
He quickly rose through the ranks and held
various positions in the company, including
Senior Vice President of Research and
Development for the Online Services Division,

[87]
Vice President of Microsoft Business Division,
and Executive Vice President of Cloud and
Enterprise Group. Nadella was appointed as the
CEO of Microsoft in February 2014, succeeding
Steve Ballmer. Since taking over, he has focused
on transforming Microsoft into a more open,
collaborative, and cloud-based company. Under
his leadership, Microsoft has made significant
strides in the areas of artificial intelligence,
cloud computing, and productivity software.
Nadella is also known for his emphasis on
empathy and personal growth, which he
discusses in his book "Hit Refresh: The Quest to
Rediscover Microsoft's Soul and Imagine a
Better Future for Everyone." He has received
numerous awards for his leadership, including
Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in
the world in 2018 and 2019.

66. Sushant Singh Rajput

Sushant Singh Rajput was an Indian actor who


starred in numerous Bollywood films and
television shows. He was born on January 21,
1986 in Patna, Bihar, India and was raised in
Delhi. He began his career as a television actor,

[88]
gaining popularity with the TV series "Pavitra
Rishta" (2009-2014). In 2013, Sushant made his
film debut with the movie "Kai Po Che!" which
was a critical and commercial success. He went
on to act in several other Bollywood films
including "Shuddh Desi Romance" (2013), "PK"
(2014), "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" (2015),
"M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story" (2016), and
"Kedarnath" (2018). Tragically, Sushant Singh
Rajput died by suicide on June 14, 2020, at the
age of 34. His death was widely mourned by his
fans and fellow Bollywood actors. His passing
also sparked a conversation about mental
health and the pressures of the entertainment
industry.

67. Mirabai Chanu

Mirabai Chanu is an Indian weightlifter who has


won several medals in international
competitions. She was born on August 8, 1994,
in Nongpok Kakching, a small village in the
northeastern state of Manipur, India. Mirabai
Chanu first came into the limelight when she
won a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth
Games held in Glasgow, Scotland. She then

[89]
went on to win a gold medal at the 2017 World
Weightlifting Championships held in Anaheim,
United States, becoming the first Indian
weightlifter in over two decades to win the top
prize at the event. Mirabai Chanu has also
represented India at the 2016 Rio Olympics and
the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she won a
silver medal in the 49 kg category. Her
performance at the Tokyo Olympics was
particularly impressive as she lifted a total of
202 kg in the clean and jerk and the snatch,
setting a new Olympic record in the process.
Mirabai Chanu's success in weightlifting has
made her a role model for young athletes in
India, particularly those from rural and
underprivileged backgrounds. Her dedication
and hard work have inspired many to take up
the sport of weightlifting and pursue their
dreams of representing India on the
international stage.

68. Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps is a retired American swimmer


who is widely considered one of the greatest
athletes of all time. Born in Baltimore,

[90]
Maryland, on June 30, 1985, Phelps began
swimming at a young age and quickly showed a
talent for the sport. He made his Olympic debut
at the age of 15 at the 2000 Summer Olympics
in Sydney, Australia, where he finished fifth in
the 200-meter butterfly. Over the course of his
career, Phelps won a record-breaking 23
Olympic gold medals, three silver medals, and
two bronze medals, making him the most
successful Olympian of all time. He also holds
numerous world records in various swimming
events. Some of his most notable achievements
include winning eight gold medals at the 2008
Beijing Olympics and four gold medals at the
2012 London Olympics. Phelps retired from
competitive swimming after the 2016 Rio
Olympics but continues to be involved in the
sport through his foundation and other
initiatives aimed at promoting swimming and
healthy lifestyles. He has also been open about
his struggles with mental health and has
become an advocate for mental health
awareness.

69. Neal Mohan

[91]
Neal Mohan is an Indian-American technology
executive who is currently the Chief Product
Officer (CPO) at YouTube. He joined Google, the
parent company of YouTube, in 2008 and has
since played a key role in the company's
product development and growth. Prior to
joining Google, Mohan worked at DoubleClick,
an online advertising company that was later
acquired by Google. At DoubleClick, he held
several leadership roles, including Senior Vice
President of Strategy and Product
Management. He was instrumental in
developing DoubleClick's ad-serving and ad-
targeting products. At YouTube, Mohan
oversees the development of the company's
products, including YouTube Music, YouTube
TV, and YouTube Premium. He has played a key
role in the growth of YouTube's advertising
business, which is one of the largest in the
world. Under his leadership, YouTube has
launched several new ad formats and features,
such as TrueView for Shopping and YouTube
Director Mix. Mohan has received several
awards and recognitions for his work in the
technology industry, including being named to
Adweek's 2018 Power List and Forbes' 2017 list
of the world's most powerful people. He is also
a board member of the Ad Council, a nonprofit

[92]
organization that produces public service
advertising campaigns.

70. Dr. Bhimrao


Ambedkar

Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956) was


an Indian jurist, social reformer, and politician
who is widely regarded as the father of the
Indian Constitution. He was born into a Dalit
family (formerly known as "untouchables") and
faced discrimination and prejudice from a
young age. Despite facing numerous obstacles,
Ambedkar earned multiple degrees and went
on to become a prominent advocate for social
justice and equality. He fought against caste-
based discrimination and worked to uplift the
marginalized communities in India. Ambedkar
was a member of the Constituent Assembly of
India and played a key role in drafting the Indian
Constitution, which included provisions for
affirmative action and protections for
marginalized communities. He also founded the
political party, the Scheduled Castes Federation,
which aimed to represent the interests of Dalits
and other marginalized communities.

[93]
Ambedkar's contributions to Indian society and
politics have had a profound impact, and he is
widely respected and celebrated as a hero of
social justice and equality in India.

71. Robert Kiyosaki

Robert Kiyosaki is an American entrepreneur,


author, and motivational speaker who is best
known for his book "Rich Dad Poor Dad." Born
in Hawaii in 1947, Kiyosaki is a fourth-
generation Japanese-American who served in
the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. After
leaving the military, Kiyosaki worked in sales
and started several businesses before achieving
financial success through real estate investing.
He has written over 26 books on personal
finance and business, many of which have
become bestsellers. In his books and speeches,
Kiyosaki advocates for financial education and
teaches people how to build wealth through
investing in assets such as real estate, stocks,
and businesses. He also promotes the idea of
building a business or investing in assets that
generate passive income. Kiyosaki's teachings
have been both praised and criticized, with

[94]
some people finding his advice helpful and
others seeing it as too risky or unrealistic.
Nonetheless, he has had a significant impact on
the personal finance industry and is widely
recognized as a leading authority on financial
education and entrepreneurship.

72. J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling is a British author, best known for


creating the Harry Potter series of novels. She
was born on July 31, 1965, in Yate, England.
Rowling began writing the first Harry Potter
book, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's
Stone" (known as "Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer's Stone" in the United States), while
she was a single mother living in poverty. The
book was published in 1997 and became an
instant success, spawning six sequels and
numerous adaptations for film, stage, and video
games. In addition to the Harry Potter series,
Rowling has also written several other books,
including "The Casual Vacancy" and the
Cormoran Strike series under the pseudonym
Robert Galbraith. Rowling is also known for her
philanthropic work, particularly through the

[95]
Lumos Foundation, which she founded to
support children's rights and help end the
institutionalization of children around the
world. She has been awarded numerous honors
for her writing and humanitarian work,
including the Legion of Honor from the French
government and an honorary degree from
Harvard University.

73. Colonel Harland


Sanders

Colonel Harland Sanders was an American


entrepreneur and the founder of the fast-food
chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). He was
born on September 9, 1890, in Henryville,
Indiana, and passed away on December 16,
1980, in Louisville, Kentucky. Sanders started
his career as a chef and opened his first
restaurant, a gas station cafe, in 1930. He
developed his own blend of 11 herbs and spices
to season his fried chicken, and by 1952, he had
franchised his recipe to other restaurants. In
1955, Sanders began franchising under the
name Kentucky Fried Chicken, and the chain
grew rapidly throughout the United States and

[96]
internationally. KFC became known for its
signature dish of fried chicken, as well as sides
like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and biscuits.
Sanders remained involved with KFC
throughout his life and became known as the
face of the company, appearing in
advertisements and on packaging. He was also
known for his distinctive white suit and black
string tie. Today, KFC is one of the largest fast-
food chains in the world, with over 20,000
locations in more than 125 countries. Sanders is
remembered as an innovative entrepreneur and
a pioneer in the fast-food industry.

74. Henry Ford

Henry Ford (1863-1947) was an American


industrialist and the founder of the Ford Motor
Company. He is widely recognized as one of the
most influential figures in the development of
modern manufacturing, and his innovative
production methods revolutionized the
automobile industry. Ford was born in Michigan
in 1863, and he grew up on a farm. In his youth,
he showed an interest in mechanics and
engineering, and he became an apprentice at a

[97]
machine shop in Detroit. In 1903, he founded
the Ford Motor Company, which would become
one of the largest and most successful
automobile manufacturers in the world. Ford's
most famous contribution to the manufacturing
industry was his development of the assembly
line. By breaking down the production process
into smaller, specialized tasks and having
workers focus on a single task rather than
building an entire car, Ford was able to
dramatically increase efficiency and lower
production costs. This enabled the company to
produce cars at a faster rate and at a lower
cost, making them more affordable for the
average person. Ford was also known for his
efforts to improve working conditions for his
employees. In 1914, he famously implemented
the $5 a day wage, which was more than double
the average wage for factory workers at the
time. This was seen as a way to reduce
employee turnover and increase productivity,
and it helped to establish the middle class in
America. Overall, Henry Ford is remembered as
a visionary businessman and innovator whose
contributions to the automobile industry and
modern manufacturing methods continue to be
felt to this day.

[98]
75. Dino James

Dino James is an Indian rapper, singer, and


songwriter who rose to fame through his
unique style of rap music. He was born in
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, in 1991, and
began his career in music in 2014. Dino James
first gained attention with his debut single "Los
Angeles," which went viral on social media
platforms such as YouTube and Facebook. He
followed this up with a series of successful
releases, including "Girlfriend," "Yaadein," and
"Maa." His music often focuses on social issues
such as mental health, relationships, and self-
confidence, and his lyrics are known for their
emotional depth and honesty. In addition to his
music career, Dino James has also acted in
several films and web series, including the
Amazon Prime series "Pushpavalli." He has also
collaborated with other Indian musicians, such
as Girish Nakod and Kaprila Keishing. Dino
James has gained a large following in India and
around the world, and his music is popular
among young people who relate to his
messages of empowerment and self-expression.
He continues to release new music and
collaborate with other artists, and is considered

[99]
one of the most promising talents in the Indian
music industry.

76. Bernard Arnault

Bernard Arnault is a French billionaire


businessman and art collector. He is the
Chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy –
Louis Vuitton SE, which is the world's largest
luxury goods company. Arnault was born on
March 5, 1949, in Roubaix, France. Arnault
began his career in his family's construction
business, Ferret-Savinel, before venturing into
real estate development. In 1984, he acquired
the fashion house Christian Dior and
subsequently became the majority shareholder
of LVMH, which owns a portfolio of luxury
brands including Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Bulgari,
and Sephora, among others. Arnault's net worth
has fluctuated over the years, but he is
consistently ranked among the wealthiest
people in the world. According to Forbes, as of
March 2023, his net worth is estimated to be
around $178 billion, making him the second-
richest person in the world after Elon Musk.

[100]
77. Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore was a renowned Bengali


poet, writer, philosopher, and composer who
lived from 1861 to 1941. He was the first non-
European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in
1913 for his collection of poems, "Gitanjali"
(Song Offerings). Tagore was born into a
prominent Bengali family in Calcutta (now
Kolkata), India. He was a prolific writer and
composed works in Bengali and English. His
writing covered a wide range of topics,
including love, nature, spirituality, and politics.
Tagore was also a social reformer and was
involved in various movements for social and
cultural change in India. He was a supporter of
Indian independence and was critical of British
colonial rule in India. Tagore's works have been
translated into many languages and continue to
inspire people around the world. Some of his
famous works include "The Gardener," "Gora,"
"Kabuliwala," and "The Home and the World."
He is also known for composing the lyrics of
India's national anthem, "Jana Gana Mana."

[101]
78. Raja Ravi Varma

Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) was an Indian


artist who is renowned for his iconic and
influential paintings that depict Indian
mythological and historical scenes. He is often
credited with popularizing Indian art and
bringing it to a wider audience, both in India
and internationally. Ravi Varma was born in the
Indian state of Kerala to a royal family. He
showed an early interest in art and received
formal training in painting from local artists. He
later studied in Chennai and in Mumbai, where
he was exposed to European art techniques and
styles. Ravi Varma's paintings are characterized
by their vivid colors, realistic depictions of
human figures, and a blend of Indian and
European styles. His works often depict scenes
from Indian epics such as the Ramayana and the
Mahabharata, as well as portraits of Indian
rulers and society women. Ravi Varma's
paintings were widely reproduced in the form
of lithographs, which made his work accessible
to a wider audience. His paintings became
immensely popular in India and abroad, and he
was awarded several honors for his
contributions to Indian art. Today, Raja Ravi

[102]
Varma is regarded as one of the most important
figures in Indian art history, and his paintings
continue to inspire artists and art lovers around
the world.

79. Dr. Homi J. Bhabha

Dr. Homi J. Bhabha (1909-1966) was an Indian


physicist and the father of the Indian nuclear
program. He was born in Mumbai (formerly
Bombay) and studied at the University of
Mumbai before completing his PhD at the
University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
Bhabha made significant contributions to the
development of nuclear physics and was
instrumental in establishing India's nuclear
program in the 1940s and 1950s. He was also a
key figure in the establishment of the Tata
Institute of Fundamental Research, one of
India's leading research institutions. Bhabha
was recognized for his contributions to science
with numerous honors and awards, including
the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, two
of India's highest civilian awards. The Bhabha
Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai, which he
founded, is named in his honor. Sadly, Bhabha

[103]
died in a plane crash in 1966, while traveling
from Mumbai to Vienna for a conference.
Despite his untimely death, his contributions to
science and to the development of India's
nuclear program continue to be remembered
and celebrated.

80. Vikram Sarabhai

Vikram Sarabhai (1919-1971) was an Indian


physicist and space scientist who is widely
regarded as the father of the Indian space
program. He was born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
and studied physics at the University of
Cambridge in the United Kingdom before
returning to India to pursue his career in
science. Sarabhai was instrumental in
establishing the Physical Research Laboratory in
Ahmedabad, which is now one of India's
premier research institutions in the field of
space science. He also founded the Indian
National Committee for Space Research, which
later became the Indian Space Research
Organization (ISRO). Under Sarabhai's
leadership, India launched its first satellite,
Aryabhata, in 1975, marking a significant

[104]
milestone in the country's space program. He
was also responsible for the establishment of a
number of other scientific institutions, including
the Ahmedabad Textile Industry's Research
Association and the Darpan Academy for
Performing Arts. In recognition of his
contributions to science and technology,
Sarabhai received numerous honors and
awards, including the Padma Bhushan and the
Padma Vibhushan, two of India's highest civilian
awards. The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre,
located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is
named in his honor. Sadly, Sarabhai passed
away in 1971 at the young age of 52. However,
his legacy continues to inspire future
generations of scientists and space enthusiasts
in India and beyond.

81. Neeraj Chopra

Neeraj Chopra is an Indian athlete who is a


javelin thrower. He was born on December 24,
1997, in the state of Haryana, India. Chopra
began his athletic career as a sprinter, but later
switched to javelin throwing after his coach
recommended it. Chopra rose to prominence in

[105]
2016 when he won the gold medal at the South
Asian Games, setting a new national record in
the process. He continued to improve his
performances, and in 2018, he won the gold
medal at the Commonwealth Games in
Australia with a throw of 86.47 meters. In 2021,
Chopra made history by becoming the first
Indian athlete to win a gold medal in track and
field at the Olympic Games. He achieved this
feat at the Tokyo Olympics with a throw of
87.58 meters in the javelin throw event. His
performance at the Olympics not only made
him a national hero in India, but also earned
him global recognition as one of the best javelin
throwers in the world.

82. Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak is a British politician who is


currently serving as the Chancellor of the
Exchequer in the UK government. He was born
on May 12, 1980, in Southampton, England, and
grew up in Yorkshire. Sunak is of Indian origin,
and his parents moved to the UK from Kenya in
the 1960s. Before entering politics, Sunak
worked in finance and investment. He studied

[106]
at Oxford University and later worked for
investment firms such as Goldman Sachs and
The Children's Investment Fund. He also co-
founded an investment firm called Theleme
Partners. Sunak entered politics in 2015 when
he was elected as the Member of Parliament
(MP) for the constituency of Richmond (Yorks).
He was appointed as the Chancellor of the
Exchequer in February 2020, following the
resignation of Sajid Javid. As Chancellor, Sunak
is responsible for the UK government's
economic and financial policies, including
taxation, public spending, and financial
regulation. Sunak has been at the forefront of
the UK government's response to the COVID-19
pandemic, announcing a range of economic
measures to support businesses and individuals
affected by the crisis. He has also been involved
in negotiations over the UK's future trading
relationship with the European Union following
Brexit.

83. Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson is a retired American professional


boxer who is widely considered to be one of the

[107]
greatest boxers of all time. He was born on June
30, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York. Tyson had a
difficult upbringing and turned to boxing as a
way to channel his aggression and energy. He
began his professional career in 1985 and
quickly rose to prominence due to his
impressive knockouts and formidable style in
the ring. Throughout his career, Tyson won
numerous titles, including the WBC, WBA, and
IBF heavyweight championships. He was known
for his speed, power, and devastating punches,
which made him a formidable opponent in the
ring. Despite his success in the ring, Tyson's
personal life was often tumultuous, and he
faced numerous legal and personal issues
throughout his career. In 1992, he was
convicted of rape and served three years in
prison. Tyson retired from boxing in 2005 with a
record of 50 wins, 6 losses, and 2 no contests.
He has since become a popular figure in popular
culture, appearing in films, TV shows, and other
media. He has also been open about his
struggles with addiction and mental health, and
has become an advocate for mental health
awareness.

[108]
84. Ingvar Kamprad

Ingvar Kamprad was a Swedish business


magnate who is best known as the founder of
IKEA, the world's largest furniture retailer. He
was born on March 30, 1926, in Småland,
Sweden, and passed away on January 27, 2018,
at the age of 91. Kamprad started IKEA in 1943
when he was just 17 years old. The company
initially sold small household items such as pens
and wallets, but eventually expanded into
furniture. Kamprad's business model was to sell
furniture that was stylish, functional, and
affordable. He achieved this by using flat-pack
design and self-assembly instructions to reduce
costs and make the furniture easy to transport.
Under Kamprad's leadership, IKEA grew rapidly,
opening stores in numerous countries around
the world. Today, IKEA has over 400 stores in
more than 50 countries and is known for its
modern and affordable furniture, home decor,
and housewares. Kamprad was known for his
frugal lifestyle, despite being one of the
wealthiest people in the world. He drove an old
Volvo, flew economy class, and often stayed in
budget hotels. He also had a reputation for
being very hands-on with the company, and

[109]
was known to attend meetings in his signature
blue and yellow IKEA uniform. Kamprad retired
from IKEA in 2013, but his legacy lives on. He is
remembered as a visionary entrepreneur who
revolutionized the furniture industry and
created a beloved global brand.

85. Helen Keller

Helen Keller (1880-1968) was an American


author, political activist, and lecturer. She was
the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of
Arts degree. Keller was born in Tuscumbia,
Alabama, and lost her sight and hearing at the
age of 19 months due to an illness that was
likely scarlet fever or meningitis. Despite her
disabilities, Keller learned to communicate with
others through the guidance of her teacher,
Anne Sullivan. Sullivan taught Keller to
understand and use sign language, and also
helped her develop a tactile alphabet, which
involved using her sense of touch to identify
letters and words spelled out in her hand. Keller
went on to become a prolific writer, publishing
several books, including her autobiography,
"The Story of My Life." She also became an

[110]
advocate for social and political causes,
including women's suffrage and workers' rights,
and was a member of the Socialist Party of
America. Throughout her life, Keller received
numerous honors and awards for her
achievements and contributions, including the
Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the
highest civilian award in the United States.

86. Anne Frank

Anne Frank (1929-1945) was a Jewish girl who


lived in Amsterdam, Netherlands during World
War II. Her family went into hiding in a secret
annex above her father's business in July 1942,
after the Nazis began persecuting Jews in the
Netherlands. The family, along with four others,
lived in the secret annex for more than two
years before they were betrayed and
discovered by the Nazis in August 1944. During
their time in hiding, Anne kept a diary in which
she wrote about her experiences, thoughts, and
feelings. Her diary, which she called "Kitty,"
became famous after her death and has been
translated into more than 70 languages. It has
also been adapted into plays and films.

[111]
Tragically, Anne and her sister Margot were
sent to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp
in Germany, where they both died of typhus in
early 1945, just a few weeks before the camp
was liberated by British forces. Anne was 15
years old when she died. Anne's diary is
considered an important historical document
and a testament to the human spirit in the face
of adversity. It has been widely read and has
helped to educate people about the horrors of
the Holocaust and the importance of standing
up against discrimination and oppression.

87. Wright Brothers

The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright,


were American inventors and aviation pioneers
who are credited with inventing, building, and
flying the world's first successful airplane. Born
in 1867 and 1871 respectively, the Wright
brothers grew up in Dayton, Ohio. They were
interested in mechanics and began building
their own bicycles at a young age. In 1896, they
opened a bicycle repair and sales shop, which
became a successful business. In the early
1900s, the Wright brothers became fascinated

[112]
with the idea of flight and began conducting
experiments with gliders. They built their first
glider in 1900 and made numerous
improvements to their design over the next few
years. In 1903, they achieved their goal of
powered flight when they successfully flew their
airplane, the Wright Flyer, at Kitty Hawk, North
Carolina. Their flight on December 17, 1903,
lasted only 12 seconds and covered just 120
feet, but it was a groundbreaking achievement
that paved the way for modern aviation. The
Wright brothers continued to refine their
designs and made numerous significant
contributions to the field of aviation, including
developing the first practical airplane control
system. Orville and Wilbur Wright are
recognized as two of the most important
inventors in history, and their contributions to
aviation continue to be celebrated around the
world.

88. Shivkar Bapuji


Talpade

Shivkar Bāpuji Talpade was an Indian scholar


and inventor who is widely believed to have

[113]
designed and flown an aircraft several years
before the Wright brothers. Born in 1864 in
Bombay (now Mumbai), Talpade was a Sanskrit
scholar and a student of ancient Indian texts on
science and technology. In 1895, Talpade began
working on a project to build a flying machine
based on Vedic principles. He named his aircraft
the "Marutsakha," which means "friend of the
wind" in Sanskrit. Talpade's design was based
on descriptions in ancient Hindu texts of
Vimanas, or mythical flying machines. In 1897,
Talpade is said to have successfully flown the
Marutsakha unmanned for a short distance in
the presence of witnesses, including the
Governor of Bombay at the time. The flight was
reported in several newspapers, but there is no
photographic or other tangible evidence of it.
Talpade's work was largely forgotten for many
years, but has gained renewed interest in
recent decades, with some scholars and
researchers arguing that he deserves
recognition as an aviation pioneer. However,
there is also skepticism about the claims of
Talpade's flight due to the lack of reliable
evidence. Regardless of the veracity of his
claims, Talpade's work serves as an important
reminder of the rich history of science and
technology in India and the contributions of

[114]
Indian scholars and inventors to human
progress.

89. Guru Gobind Singh

Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth and the last


Sikh Guru. He was born in 1666 in Patna, India,
and was the son of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru
Teg Bahadur. Guru Gobind Singh is known for
his significant contributions to Sikhism,
including the establishment of the Khalsa, a
community of initiated Sikhs, and the creation
of the Sikh martial art Gatka. Guru Gobind Singh
was a spiritual leader, a warrior, and a poet. He
was a prolific writer and composed several
hymns that are included in the Sikh holy
scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib. His teachings
emphasized the importance of standing up for
justice, fighting against oppression, and living a
virtuous life. Guru Gobind Singh faced several
challenges during his lifetime, including the
persecution of Sikhs by the Mughal Empire. He
fought several battles against the Mughals and
other oppressive rulers, and his teachings
inspired Sikhs to continue the struggle for
freedom and justice. Guru Gobind Singh passed

[115]
away in 1708 at the age of 42, but his legacy
continues to inspire millions of Sikhs around the
world. His teachings and his life serve as an
example of courage, faith, and devotion to the
Sikh community.

90. Maharaja Ranjit Singh

Maharaja Ranjit Singh, also known as Sher-e-


Punjab or Lion of Punjab, was a Sikh ruler who
established the Sikh Empire in India during the
early 19th century. He was born in 1780 in
Gujranwala, Punjab, which is now in modern-
day Pakistan. Maharaja Ranjit Singh is
considered to be one of the most powerful and
successful rulers in Indian history. Under
Maharaja Ranjit Singh's leadership, the Sikh
Empire became a formidable force in the
region, with a powerful army and a prosperous
economy. He united the Sikh misls (clans) and
consolidated his power over much of the
Punjab region, including parts of present-day
Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan. Maharaja
Ranjit Singh was known for his military prowess
and his secular outlook. He employed people
from different religions and communities in his

[116]
administration and army, and his court was
known for its tolerance and respect for
diversity. He also patronized the arts, including
literature, music, and architecture, and his reign
is considered to be a golden age in Sikh history.
After Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death in 1839, the
Sikh Empire began to decline, and it was
eventually annexed by the British in 1849.
However, Maharaja Ranjit Singh's legacy
continues to inspire Sikhs in India and around
the world. He is remembered for his courage,
leadership, and commitment to justice and
equality.

91. Rajesh Khanna

Rajesh Khanna (29 December 1942 – 18 July


2012) was an Indian actor, film producer, and
politician who worked primarily in Hindi
cinema. He is widely regarded as one of the
greatest actors in the history of Indian cinema.
Khanna made his acting debut in 1966 with the
film "Aakhri Khat". He gained widespread
popularity in the late 1960s and 1970s with a
series of successful films such as "Aradhana",
"Anand", "Bawarchi", "Amar Prem", "Namak

[117]
Haraam", and "Mere Jeevan Saathi". He was
known for his natural acting style and his ability
to connect with audiences. He was often
referred to as the "First Superstar" of Indian
cinema. Khanna received several awards for his
acting, including three Filmfare Best Actor
Awards and the National Film Award for Best
Actor. He was also honored with the Padma
Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in
India, in 1991. In addition to his acting career,
Khanna also served as a Member of Parliament
from the New Delhi constituency in the Indian
National Congress party from 1992 to 1996.
Rajesh Khanna passed away on 18 July 2012 in
Mumbai, India, at the age of 69. He remains a
legendary figure in Indian cinema and is
remembered fondly by his fans and colleagues.

92. Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor, film


producer, television host, and former politician.
He is one of the most prominent and influential
actors in the history of Indian cinema and has
been a part of the film industry for over five
decades. Bachchan made his debut in 1969 with

[118]
the film "Saat Hindustani". He gained fame and
recognition in the early 1970s with films such as
"Zanjeer", "Deewaar", "Sholay", and "Amar
Akbar Anthony". His powerful performances,
deep baritone voice, and towering screen
presence made him an icon in Indian cinema.
Over the years, Bachchan has appeared in over
200 Indian films in a career spanning more than
five decades. He has won numerous awards for
his work in Indian cinema, including the
National Film Award for Best Actor and fifteen
Filmfare Awards. In addition to his film career,
Bachchan has also worked in television, hosting
the Indian version of the game show "Who
Wants to Be a Millionaire?" (Kaun Banega
Crorepati) since its inception in 2000. He has
also been a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and a
recipient of the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan,
and Padma Vibhushan, three of the highest
civilian awards in India. Bachchan was also a
Member of Parliament from the Allahabad
constituency in the Indian National Congress
party from 1984 to 1987. Bachchan continues to
act in films and is considered a living legend in
Indian cinema.

[119]
93. Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappé is a French professional


footballer who plays as a forward for Paris
Saint-Germain and the French national team.
He was born on December 20, 1998, in Bondy,
France. Mbappé began his football career at a
young age and quickly gained attention for his
impressive skills. He made his professional
debut for AS Monaco in 2015 at the age of 16,
becoming the youngest player in the club's
history. In his first season, he helped the team
win the Ligue 1 title and reach the semi-finals of
the UEFA Champions League. In 2017, Mbappé
joined Paris Saint-Germain on loan and helped
the team win the Ligue 1 title. The following
year, PSG made his move permanent for a
reported fee of €145 million, making him the
second-most expensive player in history at the
time. Since joining PSG, Mbappé has continued
to impress with his skills, speed, and goalscoring
ability. Mbappé has also had success with the
French national team. He made his debut in
2017 and helped the team win the 2018 FIFA
World Cup, scoring four goals in the
tournament and being named the Best Young
Player. Overall, Mbappé is widely regarded as

[120]
one of the best footballers in the world and is
known for his speed, technical ability, and goal-
scoring prowess. He has won numerous
individual awards and accolades throughout his
career and is expected to continue to have a
major impact on the sport for years to come.

94. Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional


footballer who is widely considered to be one of
the greatest players of all time. He was born on
June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. Messi
began his football career at a young age, joining
the youth academy of Newell's Old Boys. He
was quickly recognized for his exceptional
talent and at the age of 13, he moved to
Barcelona to join the team's youth academy, La
Masia. Messi made his professional debut for
Barcelona in 2004 and quickly established
himself as a key player for the team. He has
since helped Barcelona win numerous domestic
and international titles, including ten La Liga
titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and four UEFA
Champions League titles. Messi has also won
the Ballon d'Or award, given to the best player

[121]
in the world, a record seven times. Messi has
also had success with the Argentine national
team, although he has yet to win a major
international tournament with the team. He has
scored over 70 goals for Argentina and helped
the team reach the finals of the 2014 FIFA
World Cup and the 2015 and 2016 Copa
America tournaments. Overall, Messi is known
for his incredible skills, including his dribbling,
passing, and goal-scoring ability. He is often
described as a magician on the field and has
inspired countless young players around the
world. His legacy in football is secure and he
continues to play at the highest level, now with
Paris Saint-Germain.

95. Chandra Shekhar


Azad

Chandra Shekhar Azad was an Indian


revolutionary and freedom fighter who played a
crucial role in the Indian independence
movement. He was born on July 23, 1906, in
Bhavra, a small village in present-day Madhya
Pradesh, India. Azad was deeply inspired by the
nationalist ideals of Bal Gangadhar Tilak and

[122]
Lala Lajpat Rai. He became involved in the
revolutionary movement at a young age and
joined the Hindustan Republican Association
(HRA) in 1921. He quickly rose through the
ranks of the organization and became one of its
key leaders. Azad was known for his fearless
spirit and commitment to the cause of Indian
independence. He was involved in several acts
of rebellion against the British colonial
government, including the Kakori train robbery
in 1925, which was carried out to obtain funds
for the HRA. Azad was pursued by the British
authorities and went underground to evade
arrest. He was known for his remarkable ability
to evade the police and intelligence agencies.
He was once cornered by the police in a park in
Allahabad, but he fought bravely and eventually
took his own life to avoid capture. Chandra
Shekhar Azad remains a revered figure in Indian
history and is remembered for his bravery and
sacrifice in the fight for independence. His
legacy continues to inspire generations of
Indians to strive for freedom and justice.

96. Ram Prasad Bismil

[123]
Ram Prasad Bismil was an Indian revolutionary
and freedom fighter who played a significant
role in the Indian independence movement. He
was born on June 11, 1897, in Shahjahanpur, a
town in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. Bismil
was deeply influenced by the nationalist ideals
of Bal Gangadhar Tilak and was inspired by the
revolutionary activities of Bhagat Singh and
Chandrasekhar Azad. He joined the Hindustan
Republican Association (HRA) in 1921 and
quickly rose through the ranks of the
organization. Bismil was involved in several acts
of rebellion against the British colonial
government, including the Kakori train robbery
in 1925, which was carried out to obtain funds
for the HRA. He was also involved in the
shooting of a British police officer, J.P.
Saunders, in 1928. Bismil was eventually
arrested and charged with sedition. He was
sentenced to death and hanged on December
19, 1927, at the age of 30. Before his execution,
he wrote a famous poem titled "Sarfaroshi Ki
Tamanna," which became a rallying cry for
Indian revolutionaries. Ram Prasad Bismil
remains a revered figure in Indian history and is
remembered for his bravery and sacrifice in the
fight for independence. His legacy continues to

[124]
inspire generations of Indians to strive for
freedom and justice.

97. Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist for


female education and the youngest Nobel Prize
laureate. She was born on July 12, 1997, in
Mingora, a town in the Swat District of
Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Malala became known for her advocacy for
girls' education in Pakistan, particularly in the
Swat Valley where the Taliban had banned girls
from attending school. In 2012, at the age of 15,
Malala was shot in the head by a Taliban
gunman while riding a bus to school. She
survived the attack and continued to speak out
for girls' education. Malala and her family
eventually moved to the United Kingdom,
where she continued her activism and
education. Malala has received numerous
awards and honors for her work, including the
Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. She is also the
author of the book "I Am Malala: The Girl Who
Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the
Taliban." Today, she continues to advocate for

[125]
education and women's rights around the
world.

98. Marie Curie

Marie Curie was a Polish-born French physicist


and chemist who made groundbreaking
contributions to the fields of radioactivity and
nuclear physics. She was born on November 7,
1867, in Warsaw, Poland, and became the first
woman to win a Nobel Prize in Physics and the
first person to win two Nobel Prizes in different
fields. Marie Curie's most notable achievements
include the discovery of two new elements,
polonium and radium, and the development of
techniques for isolating radioactive isotopes.
Her work on radioactivity helped to establish
the field of nuclear physics and led to numerous
advances in medicine, including the
development of radiation therapy to treat
cancer. Despite facing discrimination as a
woman in the male-dominated field of science,
Marie Curie persevered and made significant
contributions to the world of physics and
chemistry. She also co-founded the Curie
Institutes in Paris and Warsaw, which continue

[126]
to conduct research in the field of nuclear
physics and medicine. Marie Curie died on July
4, 1934, in Sancellemoz, France, due to
prolonged exposure to radiation during her
work. Her legacy lives on as a pioneering
woman in science and an inspiration to young
scientists around the world.

99. Walt Disney

Walt Disney (1901-1966) was an American


animator, film producer, and entertainment
entrepreneur. He is best known for co-founding
The Walt Disney Company and creating iconic
characters such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck,
and Goofy. Disney started his career as a
commercial artist in Kansas City, where he
created animated commercials and short films.
In the early 1920s, he founded his own
animation studio and began creating his first
animated series, "Laugh-O-Gram." In 1928,
Disney created Mickey Mouse, who quickly
became one of the most recognizable cartoon
characters in the world. Disney continued to
create popular animated characters and films,
including "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,"

[127]
"Pinocchio," "Fantasia," "Bambi," and
"Cinderella." Disney also expanded his company
beyond animation, creating Disneyland, the first
theme park of its kind, in 1955. He later opened
Walt Disney World in Florida and other Disney
theme parks around the world. Disney was a
prolific and influential figure in the
entertainment industry, and his legacy
continues to be felt today. He won numerous
awards for his contributions to animation and
filmmaking, and his company remains one of
the most successful entertainment companies
in the world.

100. Vyasa

Vyasa, also known as Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa,


is a prominent figure in Hinduism and is
considered to be one of the greatest sages of
ancient India. He is known for his contributions
to the Hindu epic literature and is believed to
have compiled, edited, and written several
important texts, including the Mahabharata, the
Puranas, and the Brahma Sutras. According to
Hindu mythology, Vyasa was born to Satyavati,
a fisherwoman, and Sage Parashara. His name

[128]
'Vyasa' means 'the one who arranges'. He is
called Vyasa because he is believed to have
arranged the Vedas into their present form. He
is also credited with dividing the original Veda
into four parts - Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda,
and Atharvaveda. Vyasa is revered as a great
teacher and philosopher, and his teachings are
still studied and followed by many Hindus
today. His works, particularly the Mahabharata,
have played a significant role in shaping Hindu
culture and religious beliefs. The Mahabharata,
in particular, is an epic poem that recounts the
story of a great war between two branches of a
royal family, and it includes important teachings
on dharma, karma, and the nature of the self.

101. Vashista

Vashista, also known as Maharishi Vashista, is a


revered sage in Hinduism and is considered to
be one of the Saptarishis (Seven Sages). He is
believed to have lived during the Vedic period
and is known for his contributions to Hindu
philosophy, particularly in the field of Yoga and
Vedanta. Vashista is often depicted as a great
sage and a royal priest, and he is considered to

[129]
be the author of several important texts,
including the Yoga Vashista, Vashista Samhita,
and Vashista Ramayana. He is also believed to
have taught the ancient Indian kings, including
Lord Rama, the principles of governance and
justice. In Hindu mythology, Vashista is revered
as a Brahmarishi (the highest rank of a sage)
and is considered to be a representative of Lord
Brahma, the creator of the universe. He is also
known for his spiritual practices and is
considered to be a master of Yoga and
meditation. Vashista's teachings have had a
profound impact on Hindu philosophy and have
been influential in shaping the Vedanta school
of thought. His teachings emphasize the
importance of self-realization, detachment, and
the pursuit of knowledge and truth.

102. Vishvamitra

Vishvamitra is a revered sage in Hinduism and is


known for his contributions to the Hindu epic
literature. He is believed to have lived during
the Vedic period and is considered to be one of
the most prominent sages in ancient India. In
Hindu mythology, Vishvamitra is often depicted

[130]
as a king who later renounced his kingdom to
become a sage. He is also known for his intense
penance and spiritual practices, and is believed
to have attained great powers through his
austerities. Vishvamitra is particularly
associated with the Ramayana, one of the great
Hindu epics. In the Ramayana, he is depicted as
the mentor of Lord Rama, the hero of the epic.
According to the Ramayana, Vishvamitra was
responsible for teaching Lord Rama and his
brother Lakshmana the use of divine weapons,
and he played a crucial role in their battle
against the demon king Ravana. Vishvamitra is
also known for his contribution to the Gayatri
Mantra, one of the most sacred mantras in
Hinduism. He is believed to have received the
mantra through his intense penance, and it is
now chanted by millions of Hindus worldwide.
In Hindu philosophy, Vishvamitra is considered
to be a symbol of the power of human will and
determination. His story is often cited as an
example of how anyone, regardless of their
background or social status, can achieve
greatness through hard work and dedication.

103. Will Smith

[131]
Will Smith is an American actor, rapper, and
film producer who was born on September 25,
1968, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He first
gained fame as a rapper in the late 1980s and
early 1990s as part of the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff &
The Fresh Prince. He then transitioned into
acting, with his breakthrough role in the
television series "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"
(1990-1996). Smith went on to become a major
film star, appearing in numerous blockbuster
movies such as "Independence Day" (1996),
"Men in Black" (1997), "Ali" (2001), "The Pursuit
of Happyness" (2006), and "Aladdin" (2019). He
has been nominated for five Golden Globe
Awards and two Academy Awards, and has won
four Grammy Awards. In addition to his
successful entertainment career, Smith is also
known for his philanthropic work and advocacy
for social justice issues. He has been involved in
various charitable organizations, including the
Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation and the
Make-A-Wish Foundation.

104. Irrfan Khan

[132]
Irrfan Khan was an Indian film actor known for
his powerful performances in both Bollywood
and Hollywood movies. He was born on January
7, 1967, in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, and passed
away on April 29, 2020, after a battle with
cancer. Khan began his acting career in the late
1980s and went on to work in several Indian
television shows and films. He gained
international recognition for his roles in movies
such as "The Warrior" (2001), "Maqbool"
(2003), "Life in a... Metro" (2007), "Slumdog
Millionaire" (2008), and "The Lunchbox" (2013).
He also acted in a number of Hollywood films,
including "A Mighty Heart" (2007), "The
Amazing Spider-Man" (2012), "Jurassic World"
(2015), and "Inferno" (2016). Khan was widely
regarded as one of the finest actors of his
generation, and was known for his natural and
nuanced acting style. He received numerous
awards for his performances, including a
National Film Award and four Filmfare Awards.
In addition to his acting career, Khan was also
involved in various social and environmental
causes. He was a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
and supported causes such as child rights,
education, and environmental sustainability.

[133]
105. Anupam Mittal

Anupam Mittal is an Indian entrepreneur and


the founder of Shaadi.com, one of the world's
largest online matrimonial websites. He was
born on October 23, 1972, in Mumbai, India.
Mittal founded Shaadi.com in 1996, with the
aim of helping people find suitable partners for
marriage. Today, the website has millions of
registered users from around the world and has
helped many people find their life partners. In
addition to Shaadi.com, Mittal has also founded
several other successful companies, including
Mauj Mobile, a mobile entertainment company,
and People Group, a company that operates
various online businesses. Mittal has received
several awards for his entrepreneurship,
including the Entrepreneur of the Year award at
the Economic Times Awards for Corporate
Excellence in 2012. He is also involved in various
philanthropic initiatives and serves as a trustee
of the Akanksha Foundation, a non-profit
organization that provides education to
underprivileged children in India.

[134]
106. Ashneer Grover

Ashneer Grover is an Indian entrepreneur and


business executive. He is the CEO and founder
of BharatPe, a financial technology company
that provides digital payment solutions for small
and medium-sized businesses in India. Grover
co-founded BharatPe in 2018, and the company
has since become one of the fastest-growing
fintech startups in India, with a valuation of
over $2 billion as of 2021. Prior to founding
BharatPe, Grover worked in the financial
services industry for over a decade, holding
leadership positions at companies such as ICICI
Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Yes Bank. He is
a graduate of Delhi University and the Indian
Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

107. Dhirubhai Ambani

Dhirubhai Ambani (1932-2002) was an Indian


business magnate and entrepreneur who
founded Reliance Industries, one of India's
largest conglomerates. Born in the village of
Chorwad in Gujarat, India, Ambani started his
career as a clerk in a trading firm in Yemen

[135]
before returning to India in 1958 to start his
own business. Ambani's first venture was a
textile trading company, which he started with
a small investment from his family. He later
diversified into polyester fibers and
petrochemicals, and by the 1980s, Reliance
Industries had become one of India's largest
conglomerates, with interests in a range of
industries including telecommunications,
energy, and textiles. Ambani was known for his
entrepreneurial spirit and his ability to turn
challenges into opportunities. He was also
known for his strong work ethic, his ability to
inspire his employees, and his focus on building
a culture of innovation and excellence at
Reliance Industries. Today, Reliance Industries is
one of India's largest companies, with a market
capitalization of over $150 billion. Ambani's
legacy continues to inspire entrepreneurs and
business leaders in India and around the world.

108. Arnold
Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American


actor, filmmaker, businessman, and former

[136]
professional bodybuilder. He was born in
Austria in 1947 and began weightlifting at a
young age. He moved to the United States in
1968 to pursue a career in bodybuilding and
quickly became one of the most successful
bodybuilders of all time, winning the Mr.
Olympia title seven times. In the 1980s,
Schwarzenegger began his acting career and
quickly became a major Hollywood star,
appearing in hit films such as Conan the
Barbarian, The Terminator, and Predator. He
has since appeared in dozens of films and TV
shows, and has also served as the Governor of
California from 2003 to 2011. Schwarzenegger
is also a successful businessman, having
invested in a number of companies and real
estate projects over the years. He has also been
active in philanthropy, supporting a range of
charitable causes and organizations through his
Arnold Schwarzenegger Foundation.
Throughout his career, Schwarzenegger has
been known for his dedication, hard work, and
perseverance. He has inspired many people
around the world with his story of starting from
humble beginnings and achieving great success
through hard work and determination.

[137]
109. Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone is an American actor,


director, producer, and screenwriter who was
born on July 6, 1946, in New York City. He is
best known for his roles in the Rocky and
Rambo film series, which have become iconic
and synonymous with his name. Stallone first
rose to prominence with his portrayal of the
underdog boxer Rocky Balboa in the 1976 film
Rocky, which he also wrote. The film was a
critical and commercial success and went on to
win three Academy Awards, including Best
Picture. Stallone went on to reprise his role as
Rocky in several sequels, including Rocky II,
Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V, and Rocky Balboa.
Stallone also gained fame for his role as John
Rambo in the Rambo film series. The first film,
First Blood, was released in 1982, and Stallone
went on to star in three more sequels, including
Rambo: Last Blood, which was released in 2019.
In addition to his work in film, Stallone has also
written and directed several movies, including
Rocky II, Rocky III, and Rocky IV. He has received
numerous accolades throughout his career,
including two Academy Award nominations, a
Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild

[138]
Award. Overall, Stallone is considered to be one
of the most recognizable and influential actors
of his generation, and his impact on the film
industry is significant.

110. Naushad Ali

Naushad Ali (also known as Naushad) was an


Indian music director and composer who
worked in the Hindi film industry. He was born
on December 25, 1919, in Lucknow, India, and
passed away on May 5, 2006. Naushad was one
of the most prominent and respected music
directors in the history of Indian cinema. He
composed music for over 65 films in his career
spanning over five decades, and his work is
considered a cornerstone of Indian film music.
Some of Naushad's most popular works include
the soundtracks of films like "Mughal-e-Azam,"
"Mother India," "Baiju Bawra," and "Ganga
Jamuna." He was known for his use of classical
Indian music and his innovative use of
orchestration, which gave his compositions a
distinctive and timeless quality. Naushad
received numerous awards and accolades for
his contributions to Indian music, including the

[139]
Padma Bhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke
Award, which is the highest award in Indian
cinema. His legacy continues to inspire and
influence generations of music directors and
composers in India and around the world.

111. K.S. Asif

K. S. Asif was an Indian film director who was


active in the Hindi film industry. He was born on
June 14, 1922, in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, India,
and passed away on March 20, 1971. Asif is best
known for directing the epic historical film
"Mughal-e-Azam," which is widely regarded as a
masterpiece of Indian cinema. The film took
over a decade to complete and was one of the
most expensive and ambitious projects of its
time. It tells the story of the Mughal prince
Salim (later Emperor Jahangir) and his love
affair with Anarkali, a court dancer. The film's
lavish sets, elaborate costumes, and memorable
music, along with its compelling story, have
made it a classic of Indian cinema. Asif began
his career in the film industry as an actor but
later switched to directing. Apart from "Mughal-
e-Azam," he directed several other films,

[140]
including "Phool," "Hulchul," and "Love and
God," which remained unfinished at the time of
his death. Asif's contribution to Indian cinema is
widely recognized, and he continues to be
remembered as one of the greatest film
directors of all time in India.

112. Konosoke Matsushita

Konosuke Matsushita was a Japanese


industrialist and the founder of the Panasonic
Corporation. He was born on November 27,
1894, in Wakayama, Japan, and grew up in a
poor family. In 1917, Matsushita started his
own company, Matsushita Electric Housewares
Manufacturing Works, which later became
known as Panasonic Corporation. He started
with just a few employees and a single product,
an improved light socket, which he sold door-
to-door. Through hard work, dedication, and a
focus on quality, Matsushita built his company
into one of the largest and most successful
electronics manufacturers in the world.
Matsushita was known for his innovative
management philosophy, which emphasized
employee empowerment, teamwork, and a

[141]
focus on meeting the needs of customers. He
believed that a company's success depended on
the happiness and well-being of its employees
and customers, and he worked tirelessly to
create a corporate culture that reflected these
values. In addition to his business
achievements, Matsushita was also known for
his philanthropy and social activism. He
established the Matsushita Foundation, which
supports research in science, technology, and
the environment, and he was a strong advocate
for world peace and nuclear disarmament.
Matsushita passed away on April 27, 1989, at
the age of 94. He left behind a legacy of
innovation, leadership, and social responsibility,
and his influence can still be seen in the
management practices of many successful
companies today.

113. Thomas Bata

Thomas Bata was a Czech-Canadian


businessman and the founder of Bata Shoes, a
global footwear manufacturing and retailing
company. He was born on September 17, 1914,
in Zlin, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic)

[142]
and died on September 1, 2008, in Toronto,
Canada. Bata took over his family's shoe
business, Bata Shoes, at the age of 18 after the
death of his father. Under his leadership, the
company grew into a global enterprise with
operations in over 80 countries, employing over
70,000 people. Bata Shoes is known for its
innovative approach to manufacturing,
including the use of standardized shoe sizes and
mass production techniques. Bata was also a
philanthropist and believed in giving back to the
communities in which his company operated.
He established the Bata Shoe Museum in
Toronto and was involved in a number of
charitable organizations. Throughout his life,
Bata received numerous honors and awards,
including the Order of Canada, the Order of the
White Lion (the highest civilian honor in the
Czech Republic), and the Order of Merit of the
Italian Republic.

114. Soichiro Honda

Soichiro Honda was a Japanese businessman


and engineer who founded Honda Motor
Company, one of the world's leading

[143]
manufacturers of automobiles, motorcycles,
and power equipment. He was born on
November 17, 1906, in Hamamatsu, Japan, and
died on August 5, 1991, in Tokyo, Japan. Honda
was interested in mechanics and engineering
from a young age, and he started his own
business selling and repairing bicycles while he
was still in high school. After graduating, he
worked as an apprentice at an automobile
repair shop and later founded his own
company, the Tokai Seiki Company, which
produced piston rings for Toyota. In 1948,
Honda established the Honda Motor Company
and started producing motorcycles. The
company's first motorcycle, the Honda Dream,
was a success, and Honda soon expanded into
producing automobiles, starting with the T360
mini-truck in 1963. Honda was known for his
innovative approach to engineering and
business. He was a hands-on leader who
believed in the importance of testing and
experimentation, and he encouraged his
employees to take risks and think creatively. He
also believed in the importance of developing
relationships with suppliers and dealers, and he
built a strong corporate culture based on
teamwork and collaboration. Throughout his
life, Honda received numerous honors and

[144]
awards, including the Order of the Rising Sun,
the highest honor given by the Japanese
government to civilians, and he was
posthumously inducted into the Automotive
Hall of Fame in 1998.

115. Jamsetji Tata

Jamsetji Tata was an Indian entrepreneur and


the founder of the Tata Group, one of the
largest and most respected business
conglomerates in India. He was born on March
3, 1839, in Navsari, Gujarat, India, and died on
May 19, 1904, in Bad Nauheim, Germany. Tata
started his career as an apprentice in his
father's trading firm in Mumbai (formerly
known as Bombay). He later founded his own
trading company and gradually expanded into
manufacturing, setting up textile mills and iron
and steel plants. Tata was known for his
innovative approach to business and his
commitment to social responsibility. He
believed that business should serve a larger
social purpose and worked to improve the lives
of his employees and the communities in which
he operated. He was a pioneer in several

[145]
industries, including the Indian steel industry,
and introduced several progressive labor
policies, such as providing workers with free
healthcare and education. Tata was also a
philanthropist and supported several causes,
including education and healthcare. He
established the Tata Trusts, one of the largest
philanthropic organizations in India, which
supports a range of initiatives in health,
education, and rural development. Throughout
his life, Tata received numerous honors and
awards, including a knighthood from the British
government in 1902. His legacy is carried
forward by the Tata Group, which has become a
symbol of excellence and ethical business
practices in India and around the world.

116. Larry Page

Larry Page is an American computer scientist


and entrepreneur who co-founded Google, one
of the world's largest and most successful
technology companies. He was born on March
26, 1973, in East Lansing, Michigan, United
States. Page earned his Bachelor's degree in
Computer Engineering from the University of

[146]
Michigan and later received a Master's degree
in Computer Science from Stanford University.
While studying at Stanford, he met Sergey Brin,
with whom he co-founded Google in 1998.
Google started as a research project while Page
and Brin were still graduate students at
Stanford, and it quickly grew into a massive
technology company. Page served as the CEO of
Google from 1998 to 2001 and again from 2011
to 2015. During his tenure, he oversaw the
development of several groundbreaking
products and services, including Google Search,
Gmail, and Google Maps. Page is known for his
innovative approach to business and his focus
on long-term vision and strategic planning. He
has been a strong advocate for renewable
energy and has invested in several clean energy
start-ups through Google's venture capital arm,
Google Ventures. In addition to his work at
Google, Page has also been involved in several
other technology projects, including the
development of the self-driving car through
Google's subsidiary, Waymo. He stepped down
as CEO of Google's parent company, Alphabet
Inc., in 2019 but remains a board member and a
major shareholder. Page has received
numerous honors and awards for his
contributions to technology, including the

[147]
Marconi Prize, the Lifetime Achievement Award
from the Economic Club of Washington, and
induction into the National Academy of
Engineering.

117. Tim Cook

Tim Cook is an American business executive


who is currently the CEO of Apple Inc. He was
born on November 1, 1960, in Mobile, Alabama,
and grew up in a small town in Robertsdale,
Alabama. Cook joined Apple in 1998 and has
played a key role in the company's success over
the years. Before becoming CEO, he served as
Apple's Chief Operating Officer, responsible for
the company's worldwide sales and operations.
Since becoming CEO in 2011, Cook has overseen
the launch of numerous successful products,
including the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and
AirPods. He has also been an advocate for
environmental sustainability and has led Apple's
efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. In
addition to his work at Apple, Cook serves on
the board of directors of Nike Inc. and is a
member of the National Football Foundation
and College Hall of Fame.

[148]
118. Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is an American media executive,


actress, talk show host, television producer, and
philanthropist. She was born on January 29,
1954, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, and grew up in
poverty. Winfrey's rise to fame began in the
1980s when she became the host of "The Oprah
Winfrey Show," which quickly became the
highest-rated talk show in the United States.
She used her platform to discuss social issues
and personal development, and her show
became a cultural phenomenon. Winfrey has
also acted in several films and television shows,
including "The Color Purple," for which she was
nominated for an Academy Award for Best
Supporting Actress. She has produced
numerous television shows and movies through
her production company, Harpo Productions. In
addition to her entertainment career, Winfrey is
known for her philanthropy. She has donated
millions of dollars to various causes, including
education, healthcare, and disaster relief
efforts. She also established the Oprah Winfrey
Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa,
which provides education and opportunities for
disadvantaged girls. Winfrey is considered one

[149]
of the most influential and powerful women in
the world, and has received numerous awards
and honors for her contributions to the
entertainment industry and philanthropy.

119. Gorge Washington

George Washington was the first President of


the United States and a Founding Father of the
country. He was born on February 22, 1732, in
Westmoreland County, Virginia, and died on
December 14, 1799, in Mount Vernon, Virginia.
Washington played a crucial role in the
American Revolution, leading the Continental
Army to victory against the British during the
war. He served as Commander-in-Chief of the
army from 1775 to 1783. After the war, he
presided over the drafting of the United States
Constitution and was unanimously elected as
the first President of the United States in 1789.
As President, Washington established many of
the precedents that are still followed today,
including the two-term limit for Presidents. He
also played a key role in establishing the
country's foreign policy and oversaw the
expansion of the United States through the

[150]
Louisiana Purchase. Washington is often
referred to as the "Father of His Country" and is
widely regarded as one of the most important
figures in American history. His image appears
on the one-dollar bill and he is the only U.S.
President to have been unanimously elected by
the Electoral College.

120. Galileo Galilei

Galileo Galilei was an Italian astronomer,


physicist, and mathematician who lived from
1564 to 1642. He is widely regarded as one of
the most important scientists in history and is
known for his pioneering work in astronomy
and physics. Galileo was the first person to use
a telescope to study the stars and planets, and
he discovered many important astronomical
phenomena, including the four largest moons of
Jupiter, which are now known as the Galilean
moons. He also observed the phases of Venus
and provided evidence to support the
heliocentric model of the solar system, which
places the Sun at the center and the planets
orbiting around it. In addition to his work in
astronomy, Galileo also made important

[151]
contributions to the field of physics. He
formulated the law of falling bodies, which
states that all objects fall at the same rate
regardless of their weight, and he studied the
motion of objects and the principles of inertia.
Galileo's scientific work was often controversial,
and he clashed with the Catholic Church over
his support for the heliocentric model. He was
ultimately forced to recant his beliefs and spent
the last years of his life under house arrest.
Despite the persecution he faced, Galileo's work
had a profound impact on the development of
modern science and his discoveries helped to
lay the groundwork for many of the scientific
advances of the past several centuries.

121. Chandragupta
Mauraya

Chandragupta Maurya was an ancient Indian


king and founder of the Mauryan Empire, which
existed from 321 BCE to 185 BCE. He was born
in 340 BCE in the town of Pataliputra, which is
now known as Patna in modern-day Bihar,
India. Chandragupta Maurya rose to power by
overthrowing the Nanda dynasty, which had

[152]
ruled over the northern part of India at that
time. He established a strong and centralized
government, with a well-organized
administrative system that helped him to
maintain control over his vast empire. He also
created an efficient system of taxation and a
large standing army that allowed him to expand
his empire and conquer neighboring regions.
Chandragupta Maurya is also known for his
association with the famous strategist and
philosopher, Chanakya, who helped him to
build his empire. According to legends,
Chanakya recognized Chandragupta's potential
and trained him in the art of warfare and
statecraft. Together, they defeated the
powerful Magadha kingdom and established
the Mauryan Empire. After ruling for more than
20 years, Chandragupta Maurya abdicated the
throne and became a Jain monk, renouncing all
his material possessions. He passed away in 298
BCE in Shravanabelagola, a town in modern-day
Karnataka, India. Chandragupta Maurya is
remembered as a great ruler and a conqueror
who established one of the largest empires in
ancient India. His legacy is still remembered
today, and he is considered as one of the most
significant figures in Indian history.

[153]
122. Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) was a French


military and political leader who rose to
prominence during the French Revolution and
went on to become the Emperor of France from
1804 until 1814. He is considered one of the
greatest military commanders in history, and his
campaigns and conquests greatly expanded the
French Empire. Napoleon was born on the
island of Corsica, and after attending military
school in France, he quickly rose through the
ranks of the French military. He gained national
attention in 1796 when he led the French army
to victory in Italy, and later that year, he played
a key role in the coup that overthrew the
Directory and established him as First Consul of
France. As First Consul, Napoleon implemented
a number of important reforms, including the
establishment of a centralized government, the
creation of the Napoleonic Code (a
comprehensive legal code that remains
influential to this day), and the expansion of
public education. In 1804, he declared himself
Emperor of France, and his reign was marked by
both military victories and political turmoil.
Some of Napoleon's most famous military

[154]
campaigns include the Italian campaign of 1796-
1797, the Egyptian campaign of 1798-1801, and
the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815), which saw
him conquer much of Europe before his
ultimate defeat and exile to the island of Saint
Helena. Napoleon's legacy continues to be
debated to this day. Some view him as a
military genius and a visionary leader who
brought stability and progress to France, while
others criticize his authoritarian tendencies and
his role in spreading war and destruction across
Europe.

123. Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856-1920) was an Indian


nationalist, social reformer, and political leader
who played a prominent role in the Indian
independence movement. He is often referred
to as "Lokmanya" (meaning "beloved leader of
the people") and is considered one of the
fathers of modern India. Tilak was born in
Maharashtra, India, and he received his
education at Deccan College in Pune. He began
his career as a teacher, and he later became
involved in Indian politics and social reform

[155]
movements. He was one of the founding
members of the Indian National Congress,
which was established in 1885, and he served as
the president of the Congress in 1893 and again
in 1916. Tilak was a vocal advocate for Indian
self-rule, and he used his newspaper, Kesari,
and his speeches to galvanize public support for
the Indian independence movement. He also
supported the Swadeshi movement, which
encouraged Indians to boycott British goods and
promote domestic industries. Tilak was arrested
multiple times for his political activities, and he
spent several years in prison. Despite this, he
continued to work tirelessly for Indian
independence, and he is credited with helping
to inspire a generation of Indian nationalists.
Tilak's legacy continues to be celebrated in India
today, and he is remembered as a patriot, a
visionary leader, and a champion of Indian
freedom and self-rule.

124. Bhagat Singh

Bhagat Singh (1907-1931) was an Indian


socialist revolutionary and independence
activist who played a significant role in the

[156]
Indian independence movement. He is often
referred to as "Shaheed Bhagat Singh"
(meaning "Martyr Bhagat Singh") and is
considered one of the most influential figures in
modern Indian history. Singh was born in
Punjab, India, and he was involved in the
revolutionary movement from a young age. He
was a member of the Hindustan Socialist
Republican Association (HSRA), a revolutionary
group that was dedicated to overthrowing
British rule in India. In 1928, Singh and his
fellow revolutionaries were involved in a plot to
assassinate a British police officer who was
responsible for the death of Indian nationalist
leader Lala Lajpat Rai. Although the
assassination attempt was unsuccessful, Singh
and his associates were arrested, tried, and
sentenced to death for their involvement in the
plot. Singh's execution on March 23, 1931,
made him a martyr and a symbol of the Indian
independence movement. His writings and
speeches continue to inspire people around the
world, and he is remembered as a fearless
revolutionary who dedicated his life to the
cause of Indian freedom and self-rule. Singh's
legacy continues to be celebrated in India
today, and he is regarded as a hero and a role
model for future generations. His sacrifice and

[157]
dedication to the cause of Indian independence
serve as a reminder of the power of activism
and the importance of standing up for what one
believes in.

125. Barack Obama

Barack Obama is an American politician and


attorney who served as the 44th President of
the United States from 2009 to 2017. He was
born in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 4, 1961.
Obama is a graduate of Columbia University and
Harvard Law School. Before entering politics, he
worked as a community organizer and civil
rights attorney. In 2004, Obama was elected to
the U.S. Senate from Illinois. He gained national
attention for his keynote address at the 2004
Democratic National Convention. In 2008, he
defeated Republican nominee John McCain to
become the first African American to be elected
President of the United States. As President,
Obama signed several significant pieces of
legislation, including the Affordable Care Act
(also known as Obamacare), the Dodd-Frank
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection
Act, and the American Recovery and

[158]
Reinvestment Act. He also implemented a
number of foreign policy initiatives, including
the end of the U.S. military presence in Iraq and
the killing of Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-
Qaeda. After leaving office, Obama has
remained active in public life, advocating for
issues such as gun control, climate change, and
voting rights. He has also written several books,
including his memoirs, "Dreams from My
Father" and "The Audacity of Hope".

126. Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was an American polymath


and one of the Founding Fathers of the United
States. He was born on January 17, 1706, in
Boston, Massachusetts. Franklin was a printer,
author, scientist, inventor, statesman, and
diplomat, among other professions. As a young
man, Franklin worked as an apprentice in his
brother's printing shop. He later established his
own printing business and became known for
publishing the Pennsylvania Gazette and Poor
Richard's Almanack. He also invented several
practical devices, including bifocal glasses, the
lightning rod, and the Franklin stove. Franklin

[159]
was active in colonial and early American
politics, serving as a member of the
Pennsylvania Assembly, the Continental
Congress, and the Constitutional Convention.
He was a key negotiator of the Treaty of Paris,
which ended the Revolutionary War and
recognized the United States as an independent
nation. In addition to his political and scientific
pursuits, Franklin was a prolific writer and
thinker. He authored several important works,
including "The Autobiography of Benjamin
Franklin" and "Poor Richard's Almanack". He
was also a proponent of civic virtues and self-
improvement, promoting ideas such as industry,
frugality, and moderation. Franklin died on April
17, 1790, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is
remembered as a key figure in American history
and an important contributor to the fields of
science, politics, and literature.

127. Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie was an English writer known for


her detective novels and short stories. She was
born on September 15, 1890, in Torquay,
Devon, England. Christie's works are among the

[160]
best-selling books of all time, with over 2 billion
copies sold worldwide. Christie began writing
during World War I, while working as a nurse.
Her first novel, "The Mysterious Affair at
Styles", was published in 1920 and introduced
the detective Hercule Poirot. Christie's other
famous fictional detective is Miss Marple, who
first appeared in "Murder at the Vicarage" in
1930. Christie's novels are known for their
intricate plots, unexpected twists, and
memorable characters. Some of her most
famous works include "Murder on the Orient
Express", "Death on the Nile", and "And Then
There Were None". She also wrote plays,
including "The Mousetrap", which is the
longest-running play in the history of London's
West End. Christie's success as a writer earned
her numerous accolades, including being
appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of
the British Empire in 1971. She continued to
write into her later years, publishing her final
novel, "Postern of Fate", in 1973. Christie died
on January 12, 1976, in Wallingford,
Oxfordshire, England. She remains one of the
most popular and influential writers of the 20th
century.

[161]
128. Sir Edmund Hillary

Sir Edmund Hillary (1919-2008) was a New


Zealand mountaineer, explorer, and
philanthropist. He is best known for being the
first person to reach the summit of Mount
Everest, the world's highest mountain, along
with Tenzing Norgay, a Nepalese Sherpa
climber, on May 29, 1953. Hillary was born in
Auckland, New Zealand, and grew up in Tuakau,
a small town in the north of the country. He was
interested in mountaineering from a young age
and started climbing seriously in his early 20s.
He made several expeditions to the Himalayas
before his successful climb of Everest. After his
Everest ascent, Hillary continued to explore and
climb mountains around the world, including in
Antarctica and the Andes. He was also involved
in various philanthropic efforts, particularly in
Nepal, where he helped to build schools and
hospitals in remote villages. Hillary was
knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and
became a well-known public figure in New
Zealand and around the world. He passed away
in 2008 at the age of 88.

[162]
129. Tenzing Norgay

Tenzing Norgay (1914-1986) was a Nepalese


Sherpa mountaineer who, along with Sir
Edmund Hillary, was the first person to reach
the summit of Mount Everest, the world's
highest mountain, on May 29, 1953. Norgay
was born in a remote village in the Khumbu
region of Nepal and grew up in a family of
farmers and yak herders. He began working as a
porter and guide for mountaineering
expeditions in the 1930s and quickly gained a
reputation for his climbing skills and knowledge
of the Himalayas. Norgay made several
attempts to reach the summit of Everest before
his successful climb with Hillary in 1953. He
continued to climb and explore the Himalayas
throughout his life, including leading
expeditions to other peaks in the region. Norgay
was also involved in efforts to promote the
development of the Khumbu region and the
welfare of the Sherpa people. He was awarded
the George Medal by the British government in
recognition of his role in the first successful
Everest expedition. Norgay passed away in 1986
at the age of 72, but his legacy as a pioneering
mountaineer and advocate for the people of

[163]
the Himalayas continues to be celebrated
around the world.

130. P.V. Sindhu

Pusarla Venkata Sindhu, commonly known as P.


V. Sindhu, is a professional badminton player
from India. She was born on July 5, 1995, in
Hyderabad, India. Sindhu is one of the most
successful badminton players in India and has
won several medals in international
tournaments. Sindhu started playing badminton
at a young age and trained under Pullela
Gopichand at his academy in Hyderabad. She
won her first international title at the 2012
Maldives International Challenge and has since
gone on to win numerous titles at the
international level. In 2016, Sindhu won the
silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Rio de
Janeiro, becoming the first Indian woman to win
a silver medal in the Olympics. She also won the
silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games
and the bronze medal at the 2014 and 2018
Asian Games. In 2019, Sindhu won the World
Championships, becoming the first Indian to
win a gold medal at the event. She has also

[164]
been ranked as the world number one in
women's singles badminton and has won
several prestigious tournaments such as the
BWF World Tour Finals and the All England
Open. Sindhu is known for her aggressive
playing style and her ability to cover the court
quickly. She has also been praised for her
mental toughness and her ability to perform
under pressure. Off the court, Sindhu is known
for her charitable work and has been involved
in several initiatives to promote sports and
education among children in India.

131. Sania Mirza

Sania Mirza is a former Indian professional


tennis player, born on November 15, 1986, in
Mumbai, India. She is considered one of the
most successful tennis players in Indian history.
Mirza started playing tennis at the age of six
and turned professional in 2003. She gained
international attention in 2005 when she won
the Australian Open mixed doubles title with
Mahesh Bhupathi. Mirza went on to win a total
of six Grand Slam titles in her career - three in
mixed doubles and three in women's doubles.

[165]
Mirza has also represented India in the
Olympics, winning a bronze medal in women's
doubles at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She has won
a total of 41 career doubles titles and has been
ranked as high as world number one in doubles.
Mirza is known for her aggressive playing style
and her powerful groundstrokes. She has been
a trailblazer for tennis in India, inspiring many
young players to take up the sport. Off the
court, she has been a vocal advocate for
women's rights and has been involved in several
charitable initiatives.

132. Arunima Sinha

Arunima Sinha is a former Indian national level


volleyball player who became the world's first
female amputee to climb Mount Everest. She
was born on July 20, 1988, in Ambedkar Nagar,
Uttar Pradesh, India. In 2011, Sinha was
travelling by train when she was pushed out of
a running train by thieves who tried to snatch
her bag. As a result, one of her legs had to be
amputated below the knee. However, instead
of letting the tragedy bring her down, Sinha
decided to take up mountaineering and set

[166]
herself the goal of climbing Mount Everest. In
2013, Sinha achieved her goal and became the
first female amputee to climb Mount Everest.
She reached the summit on May 21, 2013, using
a prosthetic leg. Sinha has since gone on to
climb several other mountains, including
Kilimanjaro in Africa and Elbrus in Russia. Sinha
has been an inspiration to many and has
received several awards for her achievements,
including the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest
civilian award in India, in 2015. She has also
authored a book about her experiences, titled
"Born Again on the Mountain: A Story of Losing
Everything and Finding It Back." Off the
mountain, Sinha is involved in several social and
charitable causes, including working to help
other amputees and to promote sports for
women in India.

133. Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist


minister and activist who became one of the
most prominent and influential leaders in the
American civil rights movement in the 1950s
and 1960s. He was born on January 15, 1929, in

[167]
Atlanta, Georgia, and assassinated on April 4,
1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. King was a
leading advocate for nonviolent methods of
protest and civil disobedience to achieve racial
and economic equality for African Americans.
He led numerous marches and campaigns,
including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the
March on Washington, where he delivered his
famous "I Have a Dream" speech. His efforts led
to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. King's
philosophy of nonviolent resistance was
influenced by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi
and the Christian faith. He believed that love
and peaceful protest were the most powerful
tools for social change. King's activism also
extended beyond civil rights to include
opposition to the Vietnam War and advocacy
for economic justice for all Americans. King's
contributions to the civil rights movement
earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He
remains an icon of the civil rights movement
and a symbol of hope for those seeking justice
and equality around the world.

134. Dr. Rajendra Prasad

[168]
Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1884-1963) was an Indian
independence activist and the first President of
India, serving from 1950 to 1962. He was born
in Bihar and educated at Calcutta University and
then in England, where he studied law. Dr.
Prasad was involved in the Indian independence
movement from an early age and was a close
associate of Mahatma Gandhi. He played an
important role in the Satyagraha movement
and was imprisoned several times for his
political activities. After India gained
independence in 1947, Dr. Prasad was
appointed as the President of the Constituent
Assembly, which drafted the Indian
constitution. He was then elected as the first
President of India in 1950 and served in this
position for two terms. As President, Dr. Prasad
worked to establish the role of the President as
a non-partisan and ceremonial head of state,
while also playing an important role in
promoting national unity and development. He
was known for his simplicity and humility, and
he was widely respected for his integrity and
commitment to the welfare of the Indian
people. After retiring from the presidency in
1962, Dr. Prasad continued to be active in
public life until his death in 1963. He remains an
important figure in Indian history, and his

[169]
contributions to the independence movement
and the establishment of the Indian republic are
widely recognized and celebrated.

135. Kalidas

Kalidas was a renowned classical Sanskrit poet


and dramatist who lived in ancient India, most
likely in the 4th or 5th century CE. He is
considered to be one of the greatest literary
figures in Indian history, and his works are still
studied and celebrated today. Very little is
known about Kalidas' life, and much of what is
known is based on legend and folklore.
According to tradition, he was a Brahmin who
lived in the court of the king Vikramaditya, who
ruled in Ujjain in central India. He is said to have
been married to a princess who mocked him for
his lack of education, which inspired him to
become a great poet and scholar. Kalidas' most
famous works are his plays, which include
"Abhijnanasakuntalam" (The Recognition of
Sakuntala), "Vikramorvasiyam" (Urvashi Won by
Valour), and "Malavikagnimitram" (Malavika
and Agnimitra). These works are renowned for
their lyrical beauty, intricate plots, and

[170]
insightful commentary on human nature.
Kalidas' other famous works include the epic
poem "Kumarasambhava" (The Birth of
Kumara), which tells the story of the birth and
adventures of the god Kartikeya, and the lyric
poem "Meghaduta" (The Cloud Messenger),
which tells the story of a yaksha who sends a
message to his beloved through a cloud.
Kalidas' works had a profound impact on Indian
literature and culture, and he is still regarded as
a master of the Sanskrit language and a giant of
Indian literature. His works have been
translated into many languages and have
inspired countless writers and artists
throughout the centuries.

136. Major Dhyan Chand


Major Dhyan Chand (1905-1979) was an Indian
field hockey player and is considered to be one
of the greatest athletes in the history of the
sport. He is widely regarded as a national hero
in India, and his contributions to the game of
hockey have inspired generations of players and
fans. Dhyan Chand was born in Allahabad, Uttar
Pradesh, and began playing hockey at a young
age. He joined the Indian Army in 1922 and

[171]
began playing hockey for the Army team, where
he quickly gained a reputation as a skilled and
talented player. Dhyan Chand played for the
Indian national hockey team from 1926 to 1948
and helped lead the team to three Olympic gold
medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936. He was known
for his incredible speed, agility, and ball control,
and he scored more than 400 goals in his
international career. Dhyan Chand's most
famous performance came in the 1936 Berlin
Olympics, where he led the Indian team to a
gold medal victory over Germany. He scored
three goals in the final match, and his
performance was so impressive that Adolf Hitler
reportedly offered him German citizenship and
a high-ranking position in the German army,
which Dhyan Chand declined. After retiring
from hockey, Dhyan Chand served in the Indian
Army until his retirement in 1956. He was
awarded India's highest civilian honor, the
Bharat Ratna, in 1956 for his contributions to
Indian sports. Dhyan Chand's legacy as one of
India's greatest athletes and national heroes is
still celebrated today, and he is widely regarded
as a role model for aspiring athletes and a
symbol of India's sporting greatness.

[172]
137. Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu (also known as Sarojini


Chattopadhyay) was an Indian independence
activist and poet. She was born on February 13,
1879, in Hyderabad, India and died on March 2,
1949, in Lucknow, India. Naidu was a prominent
figure in the Indian independence movement
and was also the first Indian woman to become
the President of the Indian National Congress.
She was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi
and worked closely with him during the non-
cooperation movement and the civil
disobedience movement. Apart from her
political activities, Naidu was also an
accomplished poet and writer. She wrote
several books of poetry and was known for her
use of rich imagery and symbolism. Some of her
famous works include "The Golden Threshold,"
"The Bird of Time," and "The Broken Wing."
Naidu's contribution to India's struggle for
independence and her literary achievements
have earned her the title of "Nightingale of
India."

[173]
138. Lata Mangeshkar

Lata Mangeshkar is an Indian playback singer


and one of the most renowned and respected
voices in the Indian music industry. She was
born on September 28, 1929, in Indore, India.
Mangeshkar started her career in 1942 as a
playback singer in the Marathi film industry and
soon became a sought-after singer in
Bollywood, the Hindi film industry. She has sung
in more than 36 languages and has recorded
over 30,000 songs in a career spanning more
than seven decades. Mangeshkar's voice is
known for its versatility, range, and clarity, and
she has sung a wide variety of songs, from
classical to folk to pop. She has received
numerous awards and honors for her
contribution to Indian music, including the
Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.
Some of her most famous songs include "Aye
Mere Watan Ke Logo," "Tere Bina Zindagi Se,"
"Lag Jaa Gale," "Aaja Re Pardesi," and "Ek Pyar
Ka Nagma Hai." Even today, her songs continue
to be popular and loved by people of all
generations.

[174]
139. J.R.D. Tata

Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, commonly


known as J. R. D. Tata, was a renowned Indian
businessman, aviator, and philanthropist. He
was born on July 29, 1904, in Paris, France, to a
wealthy Parsi family of Indian origin. J.R.D. Tata
is best known for his pioneering role in the
Indian aviation industry. In 1932, he became the
first Indian to obtain a commercial pilot's
license and founded India's first airline, Tata
Airlines, which later became Air India. He was
also responsible for establishing the first
international airline in South Asia, Air India
International. Apart from his contributions to
the aviation industry, J.R.D. Tata was a
prominent industrialist and businessman. He
served as the chairman of the Tata Group, one
of the largest conglomerates in India, from 1938
until his retirement in 1991. Under his
leadership, the Tata Group expanded its
operations to various industries, including steel,
automobiles, chemicals, and hospitality. J.R.D.
Tata was a strong advocate of corporate social
responsibility and believed in giving back to
society. He established the Tata Trusts, one of
the largest philanthropic organizations in India,

[175]
which supports various initiatives in the fields of
education, healthcare, rural development, and
the arts. J.R.D. Tata received numerous awards
and honors for his contributions to business and
society, including the Padma Vibhushan and
Bharat Ratna, two of India's highest civilian
honors. He passed away on November 29, 1993,
leaving behind a legacy of innovation,
entrepreneurship, and philanthropy.

140. Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev is a former Indian cricketer who is


widely regarded as one of the greatest all-
rounders in the history of cricket. He was born
on January 6, 1959, in Chandigarh, India. Kapil
Dev made his debut for the Indian cricket team
in 1978 and went on to play for India for more
than a decade. He was known for his
outstanding ability to swing the ball and his
aggressive batting style. He played a pivotal role
in India's historic win in the 1983 Cricket World
Cup, where he captained the team. Kapil Dev
was the first player in the history of cricket to
take 400 Test wickets. He held the world record
for the most number of Test wickets (434) until

[176]
it was broken by Courtney Walsh in 2000. Kapil
Dev retired from international cricket in 1994,
having played 131 Test matches and 225 One
Day Internationals (ODIs). After his retirement,
Kapil Dev was involved in coaching and cricket
commentary. He was awarded the Padma
Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards,
in 1991. He was inducted into the International
Cricket Council's Hall of Fame in 2010.

141. R.K. Lakshman

R. K. Lakshman, also known as Rasipuram


Krishnaswamy Iyer Laxman, was a renowned
Indian cartoonist, illustrator, and humorist. He
was born on October 24, 1921, in Mysore, India,
and passed away on January 26, 2015.
Lakshman is best known for his daily comic strip
"You Said It" which he created in 1951 for The
Times of India. The strip, featuring the character
"The Common Man," satirized Indian society
and politics, and became immensely popular
among readers. "The Common Man" became an
icon of Indian political satire and social
commentary, and Lakshman's cartoons were
admired for their incisive wit and simple, yet

[177]
powerful, drawing style. Lakshman received
numerous awards and accolades for his
contributions to Indian journalism and
cartooning. He was awarded the Padma
Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors,
in 1973, and the Padma Vibhushan, the second-
highest civilian award, in 2005. He also won the
Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism,
Literature, and Creative Communication Arts in
1984. Lakshman continued to work as a
cartoonist until his death, and his cartoons
remain an important part of India's cultural
heritage.

142. Ustad Bismillah Khan

Ustad Bismillah Khan was a legendary Indian


musician who is known for popularizing the
Shehnai, a wind instrument, and making it an
integral part of Indian classical music. He was
born on March 21, 1916, in a small town called
Dumraon in Bihar, India, and passed away on
August 21, 2006. Bismillah Khan was a highly
respected musician and one of India's most
famous classical musicians. He played the
Shehnai at several prestigious events, including

[178]
the Indian Independence Day celebrations in
1947 and the first Republic Day parade in 1950.
Bismillah Khan received several awards and
accolades during his lifetime, including the
Padma Shri in 1961, the Padma Bhushan in
1968, the Padma Vibhushan in 1980, and the
Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in
2001. Bismillah Khan's contribution to Indian
music is immeasurable, and he is widely
regarded as one of the greatest Shehnai players
of all time. His legacy continues to inspire and
influence generations of Indian musicians.

143. Arijit Singh

Arijit Singh is a renowned Indian singer,


composer, and music producer. He was born on
April 25, 1987, in Jiaganj, Murshidabad, West
Bengal, India. Arijit Singh rose to fame with his
rendition of the song "Tum Hi Ho" from the
Bollywood film "Aashiqui 2" in 2013. Since then,
he has become one of the most popular and
successful singers in the Indian music industry.
He has won numerous awards for his work,
including six Filmfare Awards and a National
Film Award for Best Playback Singer. Arijit

[179]
Singh's singing style is characterized by his
soulful and emotive voice, and his ability to
convey a range of emotions through his singing.
He has sung for several popular Bollywood
films, including "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani,"
"Barfi!," "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil," and "Kabir Singh."
Apart from singing, Arijit Singh is also a talented
composer and has composed music for several
films. He has also worked as a music producer
on several projects. Arijit Singh's contribution to
Indian music has been immense, and he
continues to be a prominent figure in the Indian
music industry

144. Prithviraj Kapoor

Prithviraj Kapoor was a legendary Indian actor,


director, and producer, who is widely regarded
as the pioneer of Indian theater and the Hindi
film industry. He was born on November 3,
1906, in Samundri, Punjab, British India (now
Pakistan) and passed away on May 29, 1972.
Prithviraj Kapoor started his career in theater in
the 1920s and founded the Prithvi Theatre in
1944, which became one of the most prominent
theater companies in India. He also acted in

[180]
several Hindi films, and his notable
performances include his role in the film
"Mughal-e-Azam" (1960). Apart from acting,
Prithviraj Kapoor also directed and produced
films. He founded his own production company,
Prithvi Pictures, in 1945, and produced several
successful films, including "Awaara" (1951) and
"Shri 420" (1955), both starring his son, Raj
Kapoor. Prithviraj Kapoor received numerous
awards and accolades for his contributions to
Indian cinema and theater, including the Padma
Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards,
in 1969. His legacy continues to inspire
generations of Indian actors and filmmakers.

145. Rajnikanth

Rajnikanth is a famous Indian film actor who


has appeared in over 150 movies in Tamil,
Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and other languages.
He was born on December 12, 1950, in
Bangalore, India. Rajnikanth began his career as
a bus conductor before entering the film
industry in the 1970s. Rajnikanth is known for
his unique acting style, charismatic screen
presence, and larger-than-life roles in movies.

[181]
He has a massive fan following in India and is
often referred to as the "Superstar" of Tamil
cinema. Some of his most popular films include
"Baasha," "Sivaji," "Enthiran," and "Kabali."
Apart from his acting career, Rajnikanth is also
known for his philanthropic work. He has
contributed to various charitable organizations
and has also started his own trust, the
Rajnikanth Charitable Foundation, which
provides aid to the underprivileged.
Rajnikanth's popularity has transcended
geographical boundaries, and he has a huge fan
following in countries like Japan and Malaysia.
He is regarded as one of the most influential
actors in Indian cinema and has received
numerous awards for his contributions to the
industry.

146. Sanjeev Kapoor

Sanjeev Kapoor is a famous Indian chef, author,


and television personality. He was born on April
10, 1964, in Ambala, Haryana, India. Kapoor is
widely regarded as one of the most popular
chefs in India and is known for his unique
cooking style and innovative recipes. Kapoor

[182]
graduated from the Institute of Hotel
Management in Pusa, New Delhi, and began his
career as a chef. He later worked in several
prestigious hotels in India and abroad before
opening his own restaurant, The Yellow Chilli, in
Mumbai. The restaurant chain has now
expanded to several cities across India and
abroad. Apart from running his restaurant,
Kapoor has also authored several cookbooks
and hosted several cooking shows on television,
including "Khana Khazana," which aired for over
two decades and became one of the most
popular cooking shows in India. Kapoor has won
numerous awards and accolades for his
contributions to the culinary industry, including
the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian
awards. He is also known for his philanthropic
work and has been associated with several
charitable organizations that work towards
providing food and education to
underprivileged children. Overall, Sanjeev
Kapoor is a highly respected figure in the Indian
culinary world and has inspired millions of
people to cook and experiment with different
cuisines.

[183]
147. Mark Zucerberg

Mark Zuckerberg is a technology entrepreneur,


software developer, and philanthropist. He is
the co-founder and CEO of Facebook, the
world's largest social networking platform.
Zuckerberg was born on May 14, 1984, in White
Plains, New York, USA. Zuckerberg began
programming at a young age and created
several software applications while in high
school. He went on to attend Harvard
University, where he launched Facebook in
2004 with his roommates. The social
networking site quickly became popular, and
within a few years, it had millions of users
worldwide. Under Zuckerberg's leadership,
Facebook has continued to grow and diversify,
acquiring other companies such as Instagram
and WhatsApp. The company has also faced
controversies over issues such as data privacy
and misinformation on the platform. In addition
to his work at Facebook, Zuckerberg is also a
philanthropist. He has pledged to donate the
majority of his wealth to charitable causes
through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which
he co-founded with his wife, Priscilla Chan. The
initiative focuses on improving education,

[184]
healthcare, and scientific research. Zuckerberg
has been named as one of the most influential
people in the world by Time magazine and has
received several awards for his contributions to
the technology industry. He is also known for
his interest in artificial intelligence and virtual
reality, and he has made several investments in
these fields.

148. Karsenbhai Patel

Karsenbhai Patel is an Indian inventor and


entrepreneur, who is the founder of Nirma
Group of Companies. He was born in 1945 in
Mehsana, Gujarat, India. Karsenbhai Patel is
known for revolutionizing the Indian detergent
industry with the introduction of the low-cost
and highly effective Nirma washing powder in
1969. He started making the detergent powder
in his backyard, and it soon became popular
due to its affordability and quality. This success
led him to start his own company, Nirma, in
1980. Under Patel's leadership, Nirma expanded
its product range to include a wide range of
consumer goods, including soaps, shampoos,
and toothpaste. Today, Nirma is one of India's

[185]
leading consumer goods companies, with a
presence in over 20 countries. Karsenbhai Patel
is also known for his philanthropic work. He has
contributed to various charitable organizations
and has started several initiatives to provide
healthcare, education, and other basic
necessities to underprivileged people. Patel has
received several awards and recognitions for his
contributions to the Indian industry, including
the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian
awards. He is also regarded as one of the most
successful entrepreneurs in India, and his story
has inspired many aspiring entrepreneurs in the
country.

149. Usain Bolt

Usain Bolt is a retired Jamaican sprinter, widely


regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all
time. He was born on August 21, 1986, in
Sherwood Content, Jamaica. Bolt is known for
his incredible speed, particularly in the 100-
meter and 200-meter sprints. Bolt's career in
athletics began at an early age, and he won his
first high school championship at the age of 15.
He went on to represent Jamaica in

[186]
international competitions, winning his first
Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing
Olympics in the 100-meter sprint. He went on
to win eight Olympic gold medals in total,
including three consecutive victories in the 100-
meter and 200-meter sprints at the 2008, 2012,
and 2016 Olympics. In addition to his Olympic
success, Bolt also holds numerous world
records in sprinting. He is the current world
record holder in the 100-meter and 200-meter
sprints, as well as the 4x100-meter relay. Bolt is
known for his charismatic personality and his
signature lightning bolt pose, which has become
iconic in the world of athletics. Since retiring
from competitive athletics in 2017, Bolt has
continued to be involved in sports, including
launching his own sports clothing line. Overall,
Usain Bolt is widely regarded as one of the
greatest athletes of all time, and his
achievements in athletics have inspired millions
of people around the world.

150. Rakesh Sharma

Rakesh Sharma is a former Indian Air Force pilot


and cosmonaut. He was the first Indian citizen

[187]
to travel in space. Sharma was born on January
13, 1949, in Punjab, India. He joined the Indian
Air Force in 1970 and became a test pilot. In
1982, Sharma was selected as a cosmonaut to
participate in the joint space mission between
the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
and the Soviet Intercosmos space program. On
April 2, 1984, he traveled aboard the Soyuz T-11
spacecraft as a part of the Soyuz
T-11/Intercosmos 21 mission. During his eight-
day mission, Sharma conducted scientific
experiments and took photographs of India
from space. He also spoke to then-Indian Prime
Minister, Indira Gandhi, during a live telecast
from space. Sharma's space mission was a
significant milestone for India's space program,
and he became a national hero upon his return.
After his space mission, Sharma retired from the
Indian Air Force and went on to serve as a
Director of Defense Research and Development
Organization (DRDO) in India.

151. Ravindra Kaushik

Ravindra Kaushik was an Indian spy who worked


for the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW),

[188]
India's external intelligence agency, during the
1970s and 1980s. He was born in 1952 in
Rajasthan, India. Kaushik was recruited by RAW
while he was a student in Punjab. After being
selected for intelligence work, he was sent to
New Delhi for training. After completing his
training, Kaushik was sent to Pakistan in 1979,
where he adopted the pseudonym "Nabi
Ahmed Shakir". In Pakistan, Kaushik worked as a
secret agent and gathered vital intelligence for
India. He also became an officer in the Pakistani
Army and rose to the rank of Major. During his
time in Pakistan, Kaushik passed on sensitive
information about Pakistan's military plans,
particularly regarding the Pakistani Army's
activities in the Sindh region and Balochistan. In
1983, Kaushik was betrayed by a Pakistani
double agent, and he was captured by
Pakistan's intelligence agencies. He was
tortured and sentenced to death in a secret trial
in 1985. The Indian government made several
attempts to secure his release, but they were
unsuccessful. Kaushik died in captivity in 2001
after spending nearly 20 years in Pakistani jails.
Kaushik's story has been the subject of several
books and films, including the 2019 film "The
Bard of Blood" on Netflix. He is remembered as

[189]
one of India's most dedicated and courageous
spies, who sacrificed his life for his country.

152. Thomas Alva Edison

Thomas Alva Edison was an American inventor,


scientist, and businessman who is widely
regarded as one of the most important figures
in modern history. He was born on February 11,
1847, in Milan, Ohio, and passed away on
October 18, 1931, in West Orange, New Jersey.
Edison is credited with inventing the first
practical electric light bulb and developing the
first electric power distribution system. He also
invented the phonograph, a device that
recorded and played back sound, as well as the
motion picture camera and projector.
Throughout his life, Edison received over 1,000
patents for his inventions, many of which
transformed daily life and shaped the modern
world. He was also a successful businessman
and founded the Edison Electric Light Company,
which later became General Electric. Edison's
work revolutionized many industries, including
communications, music, and entertainment,
and paved the way for modern technological

[190]
advancements. His legacy as an inventor and
innovator continues to inspire new generations
of scientists and engineers.

153. Shakuntla Devi

Shakuntala Devi was an Indian mathematician


and mental calculator who was known as the
"Human Computer." She was born on
November 4, 1929, in Bangalore, India, and
passed away on April 21, 2013, in the same city.
At a young age, Devi demonstrated exceptional
mathematical abilities and could perform
complex mental calculations in her head. Her
talent was recognized when she was six years
old and her father, who was a circus performer,
introduced her as a "math prodigy" in his
shows. Devi's talent was eventually recognized
by academic institutions, and she went on to
perform at universities and conferences around
the world. In 1977, she correctly multiplied two
13-digit numbers in just 28 seconds, a feat that
earned her a place in the Guinness Book of
World Records. Apart from her mathematical
abilities, Devi was also an author and wrote
several books on mathematics, including

[191]
"Figuring: The Joy of Numbers," which was
translated into several languages. She was an
advocate for education and encouraged young
people to develop an interest in mathematics.
Devi's legacy continues to inspire people around
the world, and she is remembered as a
mathematical genius and a trailblazer for
women in STEM. In 2020, a biopic based on her
life, titled "Shakuntala Devi," was released on
Amazon Prime Video, with Vidya Balan
portraying the mathematician's role.

154. Mangal Pandey

Mangal Pandey was an Indian soldier who is


best known for his role in the Indian Rebellion
of 1857. He was born on July 19, 1827, in the
village of Nagwa, near Faizabad, in present-day
Uttar Pradesh, India. Pandey was a sepoy
(soldier) in the British East India Company's
army and was stationed at Barrackpore in
present-day West Bengal. On March 29, 1857,
he led a rebellion against British officers,
triggering a wider rebellion across northern
India. Pandey is known for his attack on British
officers, which took place on March 29, 1857.

[192]
He had become outraged at the introduction of
new rifle cartridges that were believed to have
been greased with cow and pig fat, which was
considered offensive to Hindus and Muslims,
respectively. Pandey attacked his British officers
and wounded two of them, including Lieutenant
Baugh. He was subsequently arrested and
sentenced to death by hanging. Pandey's
execution on April 8, 1857, sparked further
rebellions across India, as Indians united against
British rule. Pandey is remembered as a
national hero in India and is celebrated for his
bravery and sacrifice. His actions inspired a
wave of resistance against British rule and
played a crucial role in India's struggle for
independence. His story has been the subject of
several books and films, including the 2005 film
"Mangal Pandey: The Rising," starring Aamir
Khan.

155. The Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama is a title given to the spiritual


leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The current Dalai
Lama is Tenzin Gyatso, who was born on July 6,
1935. He was recognized as the 14th Dalai Lama

[193]
at the age of two and has been the spiritual
leader of Tibetans since 1950. The Dalai Lama's
main responsibilities include teaching Buddhist
principles, providing guidance and support to
the Tibetan people, and representing the
Tibetan people in international forums. The
Dalai Lama is known for his commitment to
promoting peace, nonviolence, and interfaith
dialogue, and has been awarded numerous
honors and awards for his efforts. In 1959, the
Dalai Lama fled Tibet following the Chinese
invasion and established the Tibetan
government in exile in India. He has since
traveled extensively and has been a prominent
advocate for the cause of Tibet and the Tibetan
people. The Dalai Lama has also written
numerous books on Buddhism and spirituality,
which have been translated into many
languages and have had a significant impact on
people around the world.

156. Hima Das

Hima Das is an Indian sprinter who was born on


January 9, 2000, in Dhing, a small village in the
Indian state of Assam. She is commonly referred

[194]
to as the "Dhing Express" and is known for her
exceptional performances in various
international athletics competitions. Hima
began her athletic career as a footballer, but
she later switched to sprinting in 2016. She
quickly rose to fame after winning the 400m
gold medal at the 2018 World U20
Championships held in Tampere, Finland. She
became the first Indian woman to win a gold
medal at a global track event. In 2019, Hima
won five gold medals in various events,
including the 200m and 400m, at the Asian
Games and the Asian Athletics Championships.
However, she suffered a back injury in 2019,
which forced her to take a break from
competitive athletics for several months. Hima
made a comeback in 2021 and competed in the
400m and 4x400m relay events at the Tokyo
Olympics. Although she did not win any medals,
she put up an impressive performance and was
applauded for her efforts. Hima is considered
one of India's most promising athletes and has
become a role model for young girls who aspire
to excel in sports. She has also received several
awards for her achievements, including the
Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri.

[195]
157. Subramania
Chandrasekhar

Subramanian Chandrasekhar (often referred to


as S. Chandrasekhar) was a renowned Indian-
American astrophysicist who made significant
contributions to the field of theoretical
astrophysics. He was born on October 19, 1910,
in Lahore, British India (now Pakistan) and
passed away on August 21, 1995, in Chicago,
USA. Chandrasekhar is best known for his work
on the evolution of stars, particularly his
theoretical calculations on the collapse of
massive stars and the formation of black holes.
In 1935, he published a groundbreaking paper
in which he demonstrated that a star with a
mass greater than a certain limit (now known as
the Chandrasekhar limit) would inevitably
collapse into a compact object known as a
white dwarf. Chandrasekhar's work earned him
numerous accolades throughout his lifetime,
including the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1983,
which he shared with William A. Fowler. He was
also a member of the Royal Society and the US
National Academy of Sciences, among other
prestigious scientific organizations. In addition
to his scientific achievements, Chandrasekhar

[196]
was also an influential teacher and mentor,
inspiring generations of astrophysicists with his
insights and guidance.

158. Kalpana Chawla

Kalpana Chawla was an Indian-American


astronaut and the first woman of Indian origin
to go to space. She was born on March 17,
1962, in Karnal, Haryana, India, and tragically
died on February 1, 2003, in the Space Shuttle
Columbia disaster. Chawla received her
Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical
engineering from Punjab Engineering College in
1982 and moved to the United States to further
her education. She obtained a Master of
Science degree in aerospace engineering from
the University of Texas at Arlington in 1984 and
a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the
University of Colorado Boulder in 1988. In 1994,
Chawla was selected by NASA to be an
astronaut candidate and completed her training
in 1995. Her first space mission was aboard the
Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997, where she
served as a mission specialist and primary
robotic arm operator. She later went on to fly

[197]
on the ill-fated STS-107 mission of the Space
Shuttle Columbia in 2003, which tragically
ended in the loss of all seven crew members,
including Chawla. Chawla was a trailblazer and a
role model for many, particularly for women in
the field of space exploration. Her legacy
continues to inspire and her contributions to
space exploration will not be forgotten.

159. Zakir Khan

Zakir Khan is an Indian comedian, writer, and


actor who is known for his stand-up comedy
and witty performances. He was born on August
20, 1987, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Khan first gained popularity on the comedy
circuit through his appearance on the television
show "The Great Indian Laughter Challenge" in
2012. He then went on to perform in various
stand-up comedy shows and tours, including
"Haq Se Single" and "Kaksha Gyarvi". In addition
to his comedy work, Khan has also worked as a
writer and actor. He wrote and starred in the
web series "Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare" on
Amazon Prime Video, which received critical
acclaim for its comedy and writing. He has also

[198]
acted in several Bollywood movies, including
"Angrezi Medium" and "Chhalaang". Khan has
won several awards for his comedy work,
including the prestigious "Best Stand-Up Comic"
award at the 2017 and 2018 Comic Choice
Awards. He is known for his relatable humor
and unique storytelling style, which has made
him a popular figure in the Indian comedy
scene.

160. Kushwant Singh

Kushwant Singh (2 February 1915 – 20 March


2014) was an Indian writer, journalist, and
lawyer. He was born in Hadali, Punjab, which is
now in Pakistan, and studied law at the
Government Law College in Lahore. Kushwant
Singh began his career as a journalist with All
India Radio in 1947 and later worked with
several newspapers and magazines, including
The Illustrated Weekly of India, The Hindustan
Times, and The Tribune. He was known for his
fearless and outspoken writing, and his columns
often touched upon controversial topics.
Kushwant Singh was also a prolific author,
having written several novels, short stories, and

[199]
non-fiction books. His most famous works
include Train to Pakistan, Delhi: A Novel, and
The History of the Sikhs. He received numerous
awards for his contributions to literature,
including the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-
highest civilian award. In addition to his writing
career, Kushwant Singh also served as a
member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, the
upper house of the Indian parliament, from
1980 to 1986. Kushwant Singh passed away on
20 March 2014 at the age of 99. He is
remembered as one of the most prominent and
influential writers in Indian literature.

161. Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi is an Indian politician and the


current Prime Minister of India. He was born on
September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar, Gujarat,
India. Modi started his political career as a
member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
(RSS) and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) in 1987. Modi served as the Chief Minister
of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, during which
time he implemented several economic and
social policies that boosted Gujarat's

[200]
development. He was credited with promoting
investment in Gujarat, improving infrastructure,
and reducing bureaucracy, which earned him a
reputation as a strong and effective leader. In
2014, Modi led the BJP to a historic victory in
the national elections and became the Prime
Minister of India. His administration has
focused on several key initiatives, including
Make in India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Digital
India, and Skill India, which aim to boost
economic growth, improve public health,
increase digital literacy, and enhance job skills
and employment opportunities. Modi's
leadership has also been marked by several
controversial policies and decisions, including
the implementation of the Citizenship
Amendment Act and the revocation of the
special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Modi was
re-elected as the Prime Minister of India in
2019, with the BJP winning a majority of seats
in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian
parliament. He remains a popular and polarizing
figure in Indian politics.

162. Dewayne Johnson

[201]
Dewayne Johnson, also known as "The Rock," is
an American actor, producer, and retired
professional wrestler. He was born on May 2,
1972, in Hayward, California, United States.
Before becoming an actor, Johnson gained fame
as a professional wrestler, where he became
one of the most popular and successful
wrestlers of all time. He later transitioned to
acting and has starred in several popular films,
including the "Fast and Furious" franchise,
"Jumanji," "Moana," and "Baywatch," among
others. In 2018, Johnson was named one of the
highest-paid actors in the world by Forbes
magazine. In addition to his acting career, he is
also a successful entrepreneur and has
launched his own production company, Seven
Bucks Productions, as well as a tequila brand
called Teremana Tequila. Johnson is also known
for his philanthropic efforts, including
supporting various charitable organizations
such as Make-A-Wish Foundation and Children's
Miracle Network Hospitals.

163. Patanjali

[202]
Patanjali was an ancient Indian sage who is
believed to have lived around the 2nd century
BCE. He is most well-known for his compilation
of the Yoga Sutras, which is considered one of
the foundational texts of classical yoga
philosophy. The Yoga Sutras consists of 196
sutras (aphorisms) that describe the nature of
consciousness, the means of attaining spiritual
liberation, and the obstacles that must be
overcome along the way. Patanjali is also
associated with the development of Ayurveda, a
traditional system of medicine that is still
practiced in India and other parts of the world
today.

164. Sunil Bharti Mittal

Sunil Bharti Mittal is an Indian entrepreneur and


philanthropist who is best known as the
founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, one
of India's leading conglomerates. Born on
October 23, 1957, in Ludhiana, Punjab, India,
Mittal started his career in the early 1980s by
importing electric generators and
manufacturing push-button phones in India. In
1995, he founded Bharti Cellular Limited (now

[203]
known as Airtel), which quickly became one of
India's largest mobile phone operators. Under
Mittal's leadership, Bharti Enterprises has
diversified into a range of businesses, including
telecom, retail, and financial services. Today,
the company operates in more than 18
countries and has more than 425 million
customers. In addition to his business activities,
Mittal is also known for his philanthropic work,
particularly in the areas of education and
healthcare. He has established the Bharti
Foundation, which works to provide education
to underprivileged children in rural areas of
India.

165. Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Nawazuddin Siddiqui is an Indian actor who has


appeared in numerous Bollywood films as well
as international productions. He was born on
May 19, 1974, in Budhana, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Siddiqui started his acting career in 1999 with a
small role in the Bollywood film "Sarfarosh."
However, he gained recognition for his
performances in films like "Gangs of
Wasseypur," "Kahaani," "The Lunchbox," and

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"Badlapur." Over the years, he has won several
awards for his work, including a National Film
Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a
struggling photographer in the film
"Photograph." He has also been nominated for
several other awards, including the Filmfare
Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in
"Bajrangi Bhaijaan." In addition to his work in
Indian cinema, Siddiqui has also appeared in
international productions such as the British-
American film "Lion" and the Netflix series
"Sacred Games." He is widely regarded as one
of the finest actors in Indian cinema and has a
large fan following both in India and abroad.

166. Kai Greene

Kai Greene is a former professional bodybuilder


and fitness personality from the United States.
He was born on July 12, 1975, in Brooklyn, New
York. Greene started bodybuilding at a young
age and eventually became a professional in the
sport, competing in numerous bodybuilding
competitions around the world. He is known for
his impressive physique, which he achieved
through a rigorous training regimen and strict

[205]
diet. In addition to his bodybuilding career,
Greene is also an artist and has used his artistic
talents to create sculptures and paintings
related to bodybuilding and fitness. He has also
appeared in a number of films, including the
documentary "Generation Iron" and the feature
film "Stranger Things." Greene is a highly
respected figure in the bodybuilding community
and has won numerous awards throughout his
career, including the Arnold Classic in 2009,
2010, and 2016. He is also known for his
motivational speeches and his efforts to inspire
and encourage others to pursue their fitness
goals.

167. Virendra Sehwag

Virender Sehwag is a retired Indian cricketer


who is considered one of the greatest opening
batsmen in the history of Indian cricket. He was
born on October 20, 1978, in Najafgarh, Delhi.
Sehwag made his international debut in 1999
and played for India until 2013. He was known
for his aggressive style of batting, and his ability
to score runs quickly. He was also an occasional
off-spin bowler. Sehwag played 104 Tests for

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India, scoring 8,586 runs at an average of 49.34,
including 23 centuries and 32 half-centuries. He
also played 251 One Day Internationals, scoring
8,273 runs at an average of 35.05, including 15
centuries and 38 half-centuries. Sehwag was the
first Indian to score a triple century in Test
cricket, achieving the feat against Pakistan in
Multan in 2004. He was also the first Indian to
score a double century in One Day
Internationals, achieving the feat against West
Indies in Indore in 2011. Sehwag was known for
his fearless and attacking approach to batting,
and his ability to dominate opposition bowlers.
He was also a brilliant fielder and a useful
bowler, often picking up crucial wickets with his
off-spin. He retired from international cricket in
2015.

168. Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid, also known as "The Wall," is a


former Indian cricketer and captain, and is
widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen
in the history of cricket. He was born on January
11, 1973, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Dravid made his international debut in 1996

[207]
and played for India until 2012. He was known
for his solid and technically correct batting style,
and was particularly effective in Test cricket. He
was also a part-time wicket-keeper and a
brilliant slip fielder. Dravid played 164 Tests for
India, scoring 13,288 runs at an average of
52.31, including 36 centuries and 63 half-
centuries. He also played 344 One Day
Internationals, scoring 10,889 runs at an
average of 39.16, including 12 centuries and 83
half-centuries. Dravid was instrumental in many
of India's most famous victories, and was
particularly effective on overseas tours. He was
known for his patience, determination, and
ability to bat for long periods of time, making
him a vital cog in India's batting line-up. After
retiring from international cricket in 2012,
Dravid served as the coach of the India Under-
19 and India A teams, and is currently the
Director of Cricket Operations at the National
Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

169. Tilak Mehta

Tilak Mehta is a young entrepreneur who


started his own business at the age of 13. He is

[208]
the founder and CEO of Papers N Parcels, a
Mumbai-based courier and logistics company
that offers a range of services including parcel
delivery, document delivery, and even e-
commerce fulfillment. Tilak started his business
in 2018 with just a bicycle and a smartphone.
He saw a need for reliable and affordable
courier services in his local area and decided to
fill that gap in the market. With hard work and
dedication, he was able to grow his business
and expand his services. In addition to running
his business, Tilak also takes an active interest
in social and environmental causes. He has
donated a portion of his profits to various
charities and organizations that work to
improve the lives of people and the
environment. Tilak's story has inspired many
young people around the world to pursue their
entrepreneurial dreams and make a positive
impact on their communities.

170. Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey is a Canadian-American actor,


comedian, writer, and producer. He was born
on January 17, 1962, in Newmarket, Ontario,

[209]
Canada. Carrey started his career as a stand-up
comedian before transitioning to film and
television. He rose to fame in the early 1990s
with his performances in the sketch comedy
show In Living Color and the films Ace Ventura:
Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and
Dumber. He went on to star in a number of
successful comedies, including Liar Liar, Bruce
Almighty, and Yes Man. Carrey has also taken
on more serious roles in films such as The
Truman Show, Man on the Moon, and Eternal
Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, for which he
received critical acclaim. Outside of his acting
career, Carrey is known for his artistic
endeavors. He is an accomplished painter and
has published a book of his artwork, titled "I
Needed Color." He is also an outspoken activist
and has used his platform to advocate for
various causes, including gun control,
environmentalism, and mental health
awareness. Throughout his career, Carrey has
won numerous awards, including two Golden
Globe Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award.
He continues to be a beloved figure in the
entertainment industry and has left a lasting
impact on comedy and film.

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171. Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is an American actor and producer.


He was born on July 3, 1962, in Syracuse, New
York, and grew up in a family of amateur actors.
He started his career in the early 1980s with a
small role in the film Endless Love, but his
breakthrough came with the hit movie Risky
Business in 1983. Cruise has since become one
of the biggest movie stars in the world, with a
long list of successful films to his name,
including Top Gun, Rain Man, A Few Good Men,
Jerry Maguire, the Mission: Impossible
franchise, and many more. In addition to his
acting career, Cruise is also known for his work
as a producer. He has produced many of his
own films, as well as other projects such as
Narcos: Mexico and Jack Reacher. Cruise is
known for his dedication to performing his own
stunts in his films, including hanging off the side
of a plane in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation
and performing a HALO (High Altitude, Low
Opening) jump in Mission: Impossible - Fallout.
Throughout his career, Cruise has been honored
with numerous awards, including three Golden
Globe Awards and three Academy Award
nominations. He is also known for his

[211]
involvement with the Church of Scientology and
has been a vocal advocate for its practices.
Cruise is considered one of the most successful
actors of his generation and has left a lasting
impact on Hollywood and the film industry as a
whole.

172. The Great Khali

The Great Khali, whose real name is Dalip Singh


Rana, is a retired Indian professional wrestler,
actor, and powerlifter. He was born on August
27, 1972, in Dhiraina, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Khali is best known for his time in World
Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where he
competed from 2006 to 2014. He was billed as
the "Punjabi Giant" due to his towering height
of 7 feet 1 inch (216 cm) and his imposing
physical presence. During his WWE career, Khali
won several championships, including the
World Heavyweight Championship in 2007. He
also appeared in several films, including "The
Longest Yard" and "MacGruber." Since retiring
from professional wrestling, Khali has focused
on acting and has appeared in several Indian
films, including "Kushti," "Ramaa: The Savior,"

[212]
and "Khoon Aali Chithi." He has also founded his
wrestling promotion, Continental Wrestling
Entertainment (CWE), which aims to develop
and promote wrestling talent in India.

173. Dr. Vivek Bindra

Dr. Vivek Bindra is a renowned motivational


speaker, business coach, and entrepreneur
based in India. He is the founder and CEO of
Bada Business Pvt. Ltd., which provides business
education and training to entrepreneurs and
business owners. Dr. Bindra has a diverse
educational background, having completed his
MBA and PhD in Marketing. He has also been
honored with several awards, including the Best
Leadership Trainer in Asia Award by Marshall
Goldsmith, the Global Excellence Award for the
Best Leadership Trainer in India, and the Best
Corporate Trainer in India Award by Maruti
Suzuki. Dr. Bindra is known for his high-energy,
dynamic presentations and his ability to inspire
and motivate audiences. He has spoken at
numerous conferences and seminars around
the world, including TEDx Talks, and has trained
over a million entrepreneurs and business

[213]
owners. In addition to his work as a
motivational speaker and business coach, Dr.
Bindra is also an entrepreneur himself, having
founded several successful businesses, including
Global ACT (Global Academy for Consulting and
Training) and Badabusiness.com. He is
considered one of the most influential business
coaches in India and is widely respected for his
expertise in the field of business and
entrepreneurship.

174. Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova is a retired professional tennis


player from Russia. She was born on April 19,
1987, in Nyagan, Russia, and started playing
tennis at the age of four. Sharapova turned
professional in 2001 at the age of 14 and quickly
rose to fame as one of the top players in
women's tennis. She won her first Grand Slam
title at Wimbledon in 2004 at the age of 17,
defeating Serena Williams in the final. She went
on to win five Grand Slam singles titles in her
career, including the US Open in 2006, the
Australian Open in 2008, and the French Open
in 2012 and 2014. Sharapova was known for her

[214]
powerful serve and aggressive playing style. She
was also known for her off-court business
ventures, including a successful line of candy
called Sugarpova and a number of endorsement
deals with major companies. In 2016,
Sharapova was banned from professional tennis
for two years after testing positive for the
banned substance meldonium. She returned to
the tour in 2017 but was never able to
recapture her previous form. She announced
her retirement from professional tennis in
February 2020 at the age of 32.

175. Alfred Nobel

Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist, inventor,


and entrepreneur who is best known for his
invention of dynamite and his establishment of
the Nobel Prizes. He was born in Stockholm,
Sweden, in 1833, and grew up in a family of
engineers and inventors. Nobel invented
dynamite in 1867, which revolutionized the
construction and mining industries, but he also
saw the destructive power of his invention and
worked to promote peace. In his will, he left a
large portion of his fortune to establish the

[215]
Nobel Prizes, which are awarded annually for
achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine or
physiology, literature, and peace. Nobel died in
San Remo, Italy, in 1896, at the age of 63. His
legacy lives on through the Nobel Prizes and the
recognition they bring to individuals who have
made significant contributions to humanity.

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