Uma Bharati, BJP Vice-President
Faith-tinged politics never found a more tangible—and volatile—embodiment than the saffron sanyasin. In her second coming, she retains an unpredictable puissance.
Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab
The ‘son of Badal’ extends one of the oldest brands in our politics. His outspoken advocacy of Modi lends a degree of predictability to an unstable coalition era.
Sourav Ganguly, Former Team India Skipper, TV Star, Cricket Expert
For all his peevish, princely tantrums, it was Ganguly who gave to Indian cricket a sense of pauseless aggression. His own self-belief infected all, and he was no regionalist.
Sachin Pilot, Union Minister Of Corporate Affairs, Congress MP
Sachin showed his mettle when he was minister of state for telecom during the 2G scam. In his new ministry he is trying for a culture of probity and accountability.
Rajnikanth, Actor
With those famous tosses of head, shoulders, cigarettes, he rules the silver screen. Off-screen, his humility and philanthropy have made him Thalaivar of people’s hearts.
N.R. Narayana Murthy, Executive Chairman, Infosys
Infosys founder, pioneer of software sweatshopping, embodiment of middle-class values, creator of billions, provider of entrepreneurial inspiration and homilies.
Badruddin Ajmal, All-India United Democratic Front chief
This alumnus of the Deoband school made his fortune in perfumes. Poor Muslims in Assam see him as a saviour; his detractors, as an inciter of riots.
Mohanlal, Actor
But almost always in the movies, he was the ‘ordinary man’, perhaps the only Indian actor to have acquired superstar status solely playing such roles.
Mayawati, Bahujan Samaj Party Chief
She has brought to life all that Kanshi Ram had hoped for Dalit politics. Well beyond the rough and tumble of UP, she’s now one of the axes on which New Delhi turns.
M.S. Dhoni, Captain, Indian Cricket Team
Dhoni is iconic because his superstardom symbolises the arrival of small-town India. His onfield style—the celebrated cool—also stands for a confident young India.
Chiranjeevi, Superstar-Turned-Neta
The “bigger than Bachchan” star has had hits in Tamil and even Hindi. His 1991 hit, <i>Aaj ka Goondaraj</i>, was one of the highest grossers across India that year.
Arvind Kejriwal, Anti-Corruption Crusader
Kejriwal, an IITian and ex-IRS man, won the Magsaysay award for public service in 2006. He used the award money to set up the Public Cause Research Foundation.
Amitabh Bachchan, Actor
The angry young man of the 1970s has now morphed into playing character roles. His five-decade run in cinema and on television is showing no sign of unspooling.
Amit Shah, General Secretary, BJP
Loyalty to Narendra Modi is the steam Amit Shah runs on. That and his ability to manage election campaigns have made him the political heavy he is today.
Pop Influenza: Gone Viral
A few men and women who have cast a spell on the Indian mind. It’s a vote of the people, by the people, for these individuals.
Pleas From An Extended Hand
Sharif’s reconciliatory message for India shows he won’t let anyone hijack the peace process
These Backward Glances
Another LoC incident exacts a grisly price. Its possible causes, and ways we can stanch the blood.
Sumit Patil
The 26-year-old, who's only the third Indian to qualify for the world's toughest cycling race, Race Across America, on his passion
It’s Not All Depreciation
Outgoing RBI governor D. Subbarao was in at a difficult time. He played straight, say experts.
Akhilesh Yadav
Imagine, just 41 minutes to uproot the legendary ‘steel frame’ built by the British...
Dial 033 For Creepy Crawlers
Calcutta is safe no more. As the police stand petrified, criminals prey on the city’s women.
‘We May Look At Private Hospitals That Overcharge’
The Competition Commission of India chairman talks about the challenges ahead
Hedge Fund Hubris
A brilliant probe deals a damning indictment to Rajat Gupta and considers what his fall means for Indians
The Wait At The Machan
The RSS is all for Modi as PM, but only if there is consensus in the party on him