Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, specialized in Aeronautical Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology. He was the 11th President of India, serving from 2002 to 2007. A notable scientist and engineer, he is often referred to as the 'Missile Man of India' for his work and is considered a progressive mentor, innovator and visionary in India. He is also popularly known as the People's President. Dr. Abdul Kalam received India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1997. He is a recipient of several other awards and Fellow of many professional institutions. He strongly advocates an action plan to develop India into a knowledge superpower and into a developed nation by the year 2020. It is felicitous for each and every proud Indian to pay rich tribute to Dr.A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the humble 'President of the Masses'.

'A visionary with a missionary zeal' - Dr. B.S.Abdur Rahman, fondly known as 'Sena Aana', born in a backward minority community at Kilakarai in Ramanathapuram district. He started his career only with his unlimited faith in hard work and untiring self-confidence. He founded ETA-ASCON Group of companies headquartered at Dubai. His friendliness and courtesy towards people of other religious communities is laudable. He is a multi-faceted personlity. He founded several Educational Institutions, social and welfare organisations which have benefited thousands of young men and women in obtaining the highest level of education and become responsible citizens of India and ambassadors of goodwill abroad.

Mr.Azim H. Premji is the Chairman & CEO of Wipro Technologies, which today is one of the largest software companies in India. He transformed his father's vegetable oil products company into an IT giant over the last 27 years. Mr.Azim Premji received many honors and accolades. In January 2005, the Government of India conferred upon him the Padma Bhushan, one of the highest civilian awards in the country. He established the Azim Premji Foundation, a not-for-profit organization with a Vision of significantly contributing to quality primary education for every child, in order to build a just, equitable and humane society. This shows his humility and responsibility to the society and nation.

Ms.Kalpana Chawla was an Indian-born American astronaut and space shuttle mission specialist. She came from a middle class family in Karnal, Haryana State, India. On her first mission Kalpana Chawla travelled over 10.4 million miles in 252 orbits of the earth, logging more than 360 hours in space. she always said, "I was not born for one corner, the whole world is my native land." Dr. Kalpana Chawla was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in 2004.

The first woman to join the Indian Police Service in 1972. Ms.Kiran Bedi, I.P.S is one of the most celebrated and widely known police officer. Her humane and fearless approach has contributed greatly to innumerable innovative policing and prison reforms. She has experience of interacting with police personnel from different parts of the world. Dr.Kiran Bedi was awarded the 1994 Ramon Magsaysay for Government Service and her other honours include the President’s Gallantry Award in 1979. She was Police Advisor in the United Nations peacekeeping department, and has also been honored with the UN medal for outstanding service. Her personal website is www.kiranbedi.com.

He is, without doubt, a man of ideas. Mr. Mohammed Saidullah grew up in Motihari district, Bihar. Though not well educated, it was soon clear that he loved to innovate. And here's a list of his inventions - an amphibious cycle, a mini tractor, a key operated table fan, a fodder cutteroperated mini water pump, a spring loaded cycle . But it was his amphibious cycle that got him international fame and which he designed after a flood, in 1975, in Champaran. In 2005, former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presented him with the National Innovation Foundation's (NIF) lifetime achievement award. In the same year, he was selected as one of the 12 finalists for the Wall Street Journal Asian Innovation Awards.

Infosys Technologies Chief Mentor Mr.N.R.Narayana Murthy today opined that innovation cannot be achieved unless an organisation created a pluralistic, intellectually curious and competitive environment. He founded Infosys in 1981 along with six other software professionals and served as the CEO for 20 years. Infosys is one of the country's biggest IT firms. Murthy's ability to inspire a generation of young Indians has also made him one of the most admired global business leaders. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, a highest civilian award by the Government of India.

Dr Rajendra K Pachauri is the Chairman of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC).He has been active in several international forums dealing with the subject of climate change and its policy dimensions. In acknowledgement of his environmental contributions, he has been awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2001 - one of India's highest civilian awards that recognizes distinguished service to the nation. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, headed by Dr.Rajendra Pachauri was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize along with co-recipient Mr.Al Gore (Former U.S. Vice-President).

The government of India honoured Mr. Ratan N. Tata with one of its highest civilian awards, the Padma Vibhushan. He is one of Indian industry's most respected business leaders.Under his leadership, the Tata Group has emerged as India's largest business conglomerate, a modern, unified organisation ready for the challenges of a young economy and increasingly global marketplace. He has been instrumental in promoting the Tata brand and the 'Made in India' tag not only in India but across the globe in sectors as diverse as steel, automobiles, chemicals and hospitality.

Dr. Shiv Nadar, a pioneer in the field of Information Technology founded the HCL Group of Companies, which is today an acknowledged leader in the IT world. As the Chairman of HCL Technologies Ltd., Dr. Shiv Nadar has played a pivotal role in the rise of India as a formidable power in IT. His commitment to professional excellence and global quality is today a benchmark for corporates in the IT domain. Dr. Shiv Nadar firmly believes that, "If you want to empower people, give them the tools. There's enough entrepreneurship in this country to take care of the rest." He founded the SSN College of Engineering which is today among the best private engineering colleges in India. Dr.Shiv Nadar has been conferred the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award by the Government of India in recognition of not just his contribution to trade & industry in India but also his deep commitment to social causes.

Dr.B.Sivanthi Adityan is the illustrious son of a noble father - Mr.Si.Pa.Aditanar. He is a multifaceted personality with each facet representing peak of achievement in different fields. He is a renowned industrialist, a quiet and unassuming philanthropist. He has made outstanding contributions in the fields of education, journalism and social service. He has contributed more for the development of sports at state, national and international levels. He has received many awards for his contribution to sports. He is also the Past-President of the Indian Olympic Association. He is the Chairman of the Aditanar Educational Institution. Dr. Adityan has been conferred with honorary doctorates by four Universities. He was awarded the Padma Shri, a civilian award by the Government of India. He has been the Sheriff of Madras for two consecutive terms. Dr.B.Sivanthi Adityan is the Director of Daily Thanthi, a leading newspaper in Tamil.

He is known as "Father of the Green Revolution" in India, for his leadership and success in introducing and further developing high yielding varieties of wheat in India. He is Founder and Chairman of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, leading the 'Evergreen Revolution'. He is a visionary whose dream is to rid the world of hunger and poverty. Prof. Swaminathan, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), is widely respected for his effective advocacy of sustainable development, especially using environmentally sustainable agriculture, sustainable food security and the preservation of biodiversity. Dr. Swaminathan has received several outstanding awards which includes Padma Vibhushan is India's second highest civilian awards.

'Man who reached the Summit' - Mr.Syed Mohamed Salahuddin is the Managing Director of the Dubai-headquartered ETA Ascon Star Group of companies. Anyone who is personally acquainted with him wouldn't say he is the man who presides over a $6 billion business conglomerate that operates in 22 countries more than 50,000 employees worldwide. He is known for his simplicity, commitment and generosity. The President of India awarded him the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in January 2007. It was in acknowledgement of his contribution in the area of economic development, his efforts to promote the interest of India and the overseas Indians as well his work in the sphere of charity. He also received the prestigious Asian Business Award Middle East for 2007 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to development in the Middle East.

Viswanathan Anand, popularly known as "Vishy, the Tiger from Madras" learnt chess at the age of six. His lightning speed of play and intuition saw him through as the Youngest National Champion at the age of 16. In 1987 he became the First Asian to win the World Junior Championship. He also earned the coveted Grandmaster title. Anand has been awarded many prestigious titles in India like the Arjuna Award, the Padmashri, the Padma Bhushan, the Padma Vibhushan and the first recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award. Anand, known as the "One Man Indian Chess Revolution," keenly promotes the game, through innovative methods in the country, where the game first originated.