Indian Role Models and Heroes

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Mira Nair

Why Is She Famous?
Mira Nair is an Indian filmmaker of international repute. She started her carrier as an actor and then turned to directing documentaries. Her early documentaries included "So Far From India" and "India Cabaret". Mira Nair made a mark from her very first feature film, Salaam Bombay, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film Category in 1988. Salaam Bombay won the Camera D'Or (for best first feature) and the Prix du Publique (for most popular entry) at the Cannes Film Festival and 25 other international awards. Her next film, The Mississippi Masala won three awards at the Venice film festival. Mira Nair's subsequent films include the Perez Family, My own country, Kamasutra and the monsoon wedding. Winner of the Golden Lion at the 2001 Venice Film Festival, Monsoon Wedding also won a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film and received tremendous critical and commercial success.

Background
Mira Nair was born in 1958, Bhubaneshwar, India. Her parents hail from the Punjab. Mira had her early education at a boarding school at Shimla. It was here that Mira developed passion for dramatics and theatre. Mira read the 'Vanity Fair' when she was just 16 and later adapted it into a film. Mira Nair studied in the Delhi University and then went to the United States to study sociology and later theatre at the Harvard University. Mira is married to Hehmood Mamdani; a Ugandan national.

Mira's greatest recognition came with her first feature film, Salaam Bombay! She was awarded the Best New Director at the Cannes Film Festival and also got a nomination for best foreign film at the Academy Awards. In the year 2002 she directed a section of the French-produced anthology film 11/09/01, featuring short films from 11 international filmmakers in response to September 11. Along with teaching at Columbia University, Nair would next direct the film Vanity Fair, based on the novel by W M Thackeray. Mira Nair was offered the job of directing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007).

1. http://www.indobase.com/indians-abroad/mira-nair.html

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Manoj Night Shyamalan

Why Is He Famous?
Manoj Night Shyamalan is a US based and internationally acclaimed Hollywood director, screenwriter and actor. Shyamalan was born in Pondicherry, India. Manoj Night Shyamalan had an intense passion for movies from an early childhood, when he used to make small films using his father's cam. It is interesting to know that by the age of 16 he had made more than 45 short films!

"The sixth Sense", his third directorial venture, was one of the biggest box office hits ever in Hollywood. It was released in the year 1999 and was nominated for 6 Academy Awards. The success of this film made him the most famous and most recognized Indian face in Hollywood. Other movies of Shyamalan are - "Unbreakable", "Signs" and "The Village". Presently, Shyamalan is working on a new project called "The Life of Pi". The most peculiar thing about Shyamalan is that he exhibits the image and understanding of India through his films.

Background
Manoj Night Shyamalan was born on 6th August 1970 in Pondicherry, India. His father, Nelliyate C Shyamalan and mother, Jayalakshmi were both doctors and moved to the United States when Shyamalan was still a young boy. Shyamalan had his early education at a Catholic School and Philadelphia's Episcopal Academy. Since his childhood, Shyamalan had shown an early aptitude for movies. It was because of this reason that he chose the Tisch School of Arts at New York University to study film-making. During his final year at the NYU, Shyamalan wrote, directed and starred in his first feature film, 'Praying with Anger'. He also wrote the script for 'Stuart Little' in 1995 and made his second movie 'Wide Awake' in 1997. Shyamalan now lives in Philadelphia with wife Bhavana and Selitha, their daughter.

1. http://www.indobase.com/indians-abroad/m-n-shyamalan.html

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Rohinton Mistry

Why Is He Famous?
Rohinton Mistry is a renowned novelist and author. Rohinton was born in India and presently settled in Canada. "One Sunday" was Mistry's first short story and won him the first prize in the Canadian Hart House Literary Contest. "Tales from Firozsha Baag" was Mistry's short story collection and was published for the first time in Canada in the year 1987. Rohinton Mistry's style of writing is distinct and has made a mark for itself. His notable novels are "Such a long journey", "A Fine Balance" (set during the State of Emergency in India in the 1970s), and "Family Matters". Such a Long Journey and A Fine Balance were both short listed for the Booker Prize for Fiction, and Family Matters was short listed for the 2002 Man Booker Prize for Fiction.

Background
Rohinton Mistry was born in Bombay, India, on 3 July, 1952, in a Parsi family. Rohinton had his undergraduate degree in mathematics and economics at the Bombay University. He moved to Canada in the year 1975. In Canada (Toronto), Mistry worked as clerk in a bank. But at the same time he studied English and Philosophy part time at the Toronto University. It was while he was a university student in Canada that Rohinton began to write and publish fiction.

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Sabeer Bhatia

Why Is He Famous?
India born computer wizard, Sabeer Bhatia came into limelight when he created the web based e- mail- the Hotmail and later sold it to the software giant- the Microsoft for a staggering $ 400 million in 1998. This deal was struck after hectic negotiations between him and the Microsoft. After selling the hotmail to the Microsoft, Sabeer Bhatia worked with the Microsoft for about a year and then left it to start another venture- Arzoo Inc. It is an e-commerce firm with a revolutionary new way to shop on line. With the hotmail deal, Sabeer Bhatia became the Silicon Valley hero and is still basking in glory. Today, Sabeer Bhatia is an idol for all Indians who wish to make it big in the Silicon Valley.

Background
Sabeer Bhatia, an icon for the young and aspiring software professionals, was born in Chandigarh in 1969 and grew up in Bangalore. Sabeer had his early education at Bishop's Cotton School at Pune and then at St. Joseph's College, Bangalore. For his bachelor's degree, Sabeer went to the Birla Institute of Technology (BITS), Pilani. In the year 1988, he got a scholarship from the California Institute of Technology and moved to the Caltech. Later, Sabeer earned his masters degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University. After graduation, Sabeer worked for the Apple Computers for some time, as hardware engineer. It was here that Sabeer, along with his colleague Jack Smith, planned to set up the Hotmail. Rest all is history! A young man only with a few dollars in his wallet (when he left India) created software history.

» Hotmail founder to help build Nano City in Haryana
Hotmail founder Sabeer Bhatia Wednesday signed an agreement with the Haryana government to jointly set up Nano City, a knowledge hub modelled on the Silicon Valley of the US, at a cost of Rs.18.5 billion ($412 million).

http://www.indobase.com/indians-abroad/sabeer-bhatia.html

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Salman Rushdie

The famous writer Salman Rushdie was born in Mumbai, India. In his writings, he uses tales from various genres - fantasy, mythology, religion and oral tradition. Though most of his books have been subject of controversies, in the year 1988 Salman Rushdie came in the eye of storm with the publication of the "Satanic Verses" for its alleged blasphemous remarks on Islam and the Prophet. The entire Muslim world was enraged at the publication of the Satanic Verses. This led to the declaration of death sentence on him by Ayatollah Khomeini, the then religious sovereign of Iran. Following this Salman Rushdie went into hiding in London.

Rushdie's work Midnight's Children was awarded the Bookers' prize in 1993 and brought him international fame. In 1996 Salman Rushdie received the European Union Literary Award in Denmark. His other famous works are Grimus, Shame, Essays and Criticism, Wizard of oz, The moor's last sigh, The ground beneath her feet, Fury, Step across this line etc.

Background
Salman Rushdie was born in 1947 in a Muslim family of Bombay. His father was a Cambridge-educated businessman. At the age of fourteen, Rushdie was sent to Rugby School in England. In 1964 Rushdie's parents moved to Karachi, Pakistan. Rushdie continued his studies at King's College, Cambridge, where he graduated in history with honors. After graduating in 1968 he worked for sometime in television in Pakistan. In between he also worked for Ogilvy and Mather and Charles Barker. Salman Rushdie made his debut as a novelist with "Grimus" in the year 1974. After remaining in hiding for many years, Salman Rushdie came out recently. In 2004, Rushdie married for the fourth time, this time to prominent Indian model and actress Padma Lakshmi.

» Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sachin Tendulkar among TIME'S 'Asian Heroes'
Architects of modern India Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, steel baron Lakshmi Mittal and IT czar Narayana Murthy have been named among TIME magazine's "Asian heroes" in its forthcoming 60th anniversary issue.

» Kiran Desai becomes youngest woman winner of Booker Prize
Kiran Desai, daughter of prominent Indian origin writer Anita Desai, created literary history by becoming the youngest ever woman to win the prestigious Man Booker Prize for her book "The Inheritance of Loss" at the age of 35.

» Salman Rushdie to join US varsity faculty
India-born British writer Salman Rushdie will join the faculty of Emory University in the United States.

1. http://www.indobase.com/indians-abroad/salman-rushdie.html

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Sam Pitroda

Why Is He Famous?
The name, Sam Pitroda can better be explained by the yellow phone booths all across India. Yes, it was mainly because of the efforts of this inventor, technocrat, and social thinker that telecom revolution started in India. It is interesting to know that Sam Pitroda first used a telephone only after moving to the US! The biggest virtue of Sam Pitroda is that he has a definite vision to use technology for the benefit and betterment of society. Along with being a pioneer in telecom, Sam Pitroda has made strong case for food, clean water, and adequate shelter for the unprivileged section. Through his efforts, Sam Pitroda has brought telephones to some of the world's previously isolated regions. In the field of telecom, Sam's emphasis was on accessibility rather than density.

By providing public access to telephones, Mr. Sam Pitroda revolutionized the state of telecommunications in India. Currently, Mr. Pitroda is the Chairman and CEO of World-Tel Limited, an International Telecom Union (ITU) initiative. He is also the Chairman and Founder of Sevend high-technology. Sam Pitroda is also the founding Chairman of a non-profit Foundation for' Revitalization of Local Health Traditions in India. As a result of his pioneering works, Sam Pitroda holds more than 50 patents and has lectured extensively on Telecom, Technology and Development, in almost all parts of the world. Sam Pitroda has also featured in several newspapers, magazines, radio and TV programs.

Background
Satyanarayan Gangarm Pitroda, better known as Sam Pitroda was born in Titlagarh, Orissa, India. Sam Pitroda did his schooling at Anand Vallabh Vidyalaya in Gujarat and Masters in Physics and Electronics in Baroda. In the year1964, Sam Pitroda went to the US and did his Masters in Electrical Engineering in Chicago. Thereafter he worked at GTE and formed Wescom Switching, Inc. In the year 1984, Sam Pitroda returned to India and founded the Center for Development of Telematics (CDAC) and later became advisor to the PM of India on National Technology Missions. Mr. Pitroda lives in Chicago, Illinois with his wife Anu, son Salil and daughter Rajal.

1. http://www.indobase.com/indians-abroad/sam-pitroda.html

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Shashi Tharoor

Why Is He Famous?
Shashi Tharoor is prolific writer and UN Diplomat. Shashi has been with the UN since 1978 when he joined the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva. Shashi Tharoor served the UN in various capacities before assuming the office of the Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information of the United Nations in 2001. In this capacity, he is responsible for the communication strategy, enhancing the image and effectiveness of the UN. In 2003, the Secretary-General appointed him United Nations Coordinator for Multilingualism.

As a journalist, Tharoor has written many articles, short stories, literary reviews and commentaries. Shashi Tharoor has explored the diversity of the Indian culture. He is the winner of several journalism and literary awards, including Commonwealth Writers' prize. He was named the Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic forum in Davos. Mr. Tharoor is also the author of several books, including 'Reasons of State' (1982), 'The Great Indian Novel (1989)', 'The Five-Dollar Smile & Other Stories' (1990), 'Show Business' (1992) 'India: From Midnight to the Millennium' (1997), 'Riot. A Love Story'(2001) and 'Nehru, the Invention of India'.

Background
Shashi Tharoor, was born in London in 1956. His father was a newspaper executive and mother a housewife. His family has roots in Palakkad, Kerala, India. Tharoor had most oh his schooling and under graduation in Mumbai (Bombay), Kolkata(Calcutta) and Delhi. He completed his honors degree in History from the prestigious St. Stephen's College, Delhi and won a scholarship to Tufts University, Boston. In the mid 1970's, Shashi went to the United States and acquired two master's degrees and a Ph.D. in Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University. When he completed his education he was just 22 years old! He was married to the journalist wife, Tillotma and has twin sons, Ishaan and Kanishk. It is remarkable that despite being out of India from such an early age, Tharoor retains a strong attachment to his Indian roots.

1. http://www.indobase.com/indians-abroad/shashi-tharoor.html

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Lord Swaraj Paul

Why Is He Famous?
Lord Swaraj Paul is a Britain based business magnate a philanthropist. He was born in 1931 in Jalandhar, India. Swaraj Paul founded the multinational company Caparo- the UK-based steel and engineering group. Swaraj Paul went to Britain in 1966 and started his business in 1968. From acquiring one steel unit, he went on to acquire more units and founded the Caparo group in the year 1978. Swaraj Paul's company developed into one of the leading producers of welded steel tube and spiral welded pipe in the UK. He was knighted by the British Queen in the year 1978 and became the Lord Paul of Marylebone and a member of the House of Lords.

Lord Paul has received various awards. He has written the biography of Indira Gandhi and was awarded the Padma Bhushan by her in 1983. He was also bestowed with many prestigious honors including the Pro-Chancellorship of the Thames University (1998) and its Governorship (1992-97), Chancellorship of Wolver Hampton University and the Bharat Gaurav award by the Indian Merchant's Chamber. He is a member of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Foreign Policy Centre Advisory Council and MIT's Mechanical Engineering Visiting Committee.

Background
Swaraj Paul was born in Lalandhar in 1931. His father ran a small foundry, making steel buckets and farming equipments. Swaraj Paul was educated at the Punjab University and later obtained a Master's degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US. On his return to India, Swaraj joined the Appeejay Surendra Group, which his father had founded. It was a twist of fate that he had to visit London to get his daughter cured of Leukemia. But this trip made him to stay in London for ever. Lord Swaraj Paul stepped down from the management of the Caparo group in 1996, handing over his empire to his three sons.

Despite being one of the richest persons in the U.K, Lord Paul practices a very simple life. In his memoirs, Beyond Boundaries, Lord Paul reflects the main events of his life. It contains the details of his business career, including his run-in with DCM and Escorts and his association with the famous and the mighty- including Indira Gandhi, Sanjay and Rajiv. Beyond Boundaries is a window into the making of one of the most outstanding success stories of modern times.

1. http://www.indobase.com/indians-abroad/swaraj-paul.html

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