Rediff On The NeT: Rediff On The NeT's Indian Of The Year

The Nominations...

Name:R Yogesh Kumar Jain
Email:yogeshrathod@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:Politicians, bureaucrats and people from other fields have let us down, except one Indian -- Sachin who has fought lot of battles singlehandly to do India proud.

Name:Ravindra Pai
Email:ravipai@worldnet.att.net
Nomination:Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Reason why:As with the rest of his political career, he has demonstrated to us Indians that even after being a PM no one can accuse him either of corruption or abuse of power. If that is not good enough in Indian politics, I don't know what is!

Name:B R Srivatsa
Email:srivatsab.hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:His cricket today is the most exciting that has been seen since a long long time. In spite of the abundant talent, he has always put his team's interest in mind unlike many other cricketers who play for themselves first and the team next. Because of him today the Indian cricket team is respected and feared by many.

Name:Sonia Aditya
Email:jpaditya@bom5.vsnl.net.in
Nomination:Amartya Sen
Reason why:There is no more to be added on what this great person has achieved for our country. He's not just a Nobel laureate, but the first one to win it for Economics! Our country needed someone like this most badly, especially in this phase of economic crisis!

Name:Babuprasad
Email:babuprasads@raffles.soft.net
Nomination:Myself. Babuprasad
Reason why:When politicians are fighting between themselves for their seats: we are sweating blood and earning, not knowing what is going to happen tommorrow. And does anyone realise, we, the earning members are the ones who are paying the salaries of these people in government by paying our taxes. That is why I nominate MYSELF.

Name:Anurag Gour
Email:anurag@hindustantimes.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:India doesn't need a Nobel winner who teaches at Trinity college, but a hero for the masses who unites all of us. That's what happens when he bats, bowls or fields.

Name:Dr J V Divatia
Email:jdivatia@vsnl.com
Nomination:Dingko Singh
Reason why:A sportsman who developed his skills despite personal tragedy, poverty and abandonment; overcame the politics and whims of officialdom to win a gold medal at the Asian Games. His story will give hope and encouragement to millions of struggling Indians. They too can overcome their financial and social obstacles, as well as the insensitivity of the system to succeed in life.

Name:Shyam J Mansukhani
Email:shyamm@aptech.ac.in
Nomination:Sonia Gandhi
Reason why:With the BJP government coming to power, India has lost the image which it had during the Congress regime and with the Congress virtually disintergrating in north, people had no alternative but to vote for the BJP. The non-performance of the government which led to a chaos in the country, and the revival of the Congress under Sonia gave the people of India a new hope. The recent assembly election is a clear indication of the future of India. I hence think that at the end of 1998, the Indian people have given their verdict that in spite of she been a non-Indian she is more than a Indian. Hence she should be voted as the Indian of the year.

Name:Rajeev Mahajan
Email:mahajan_rajeev@hotmail.com
Nomination:Amartya Sen
Reason why:Bringing the Nobel home!

Name:Abhijit Mokashi
Email:abhijitmokashi@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:Because he is the greatest batsman of the modern era, for his commitment to the team and country's prestige.

Name:Manoj Gandhi
Email:gandhimn@erols.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:He brings happiness to life.

Name:Rohit Deengar
Email:rohitdeengar@hotmail.com
Nomination:Professor Amartya Sen
Reason why:Professor Sen has made each and every Indian proud by singlehandedly winning the coveted Nobel Prize for Economics this year. Despite all the accolade and honour, that has been bestowed upon him by international organisations, he remains a true and spirited Indian at heart and soul!! Thus making all of us Indians realise that we too can achieve the seemingly impossible goals in our lives in a global environment, by sheer commitment, devoted hard work, and without compromisisng our very own Indian heritage.

Name:Prashant Bhagwat
Email:pvbhagwat@hotmail.com
Nomination:Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Reason why:After a long time in Indian politics, there is a leader who has shown that he is capable of taking bold steps. And all this without any scams. The nuclear tests and the improvement of the situation in Kashmir has demonstrated this amply. In spite of having to perform a balancing act in keeping his allies happy, the PM has done a great job. Towards the end of the year he has also taken bold steps towards modernising the economy. In all a very mature leader who can take India to great lenghts.

Name:Miss R Prasanna
Email:prasanna.r@rediffmail.com
Nomination:Mr Aroon Purie, Editor-in-Chief, India Today (and his entire team)
Reason why:Mr Purie unquestionably has his heart and mind in the right place, and, has through the publication India Today shown that he champions the spirit of rationalism, impartial analysis, liberalism, a cynicism-free attitude, lofty ideals, a clear conscience and dedication towards work -- qualities which every Indian ought to possess and apply in his/her own life.

Name:Indiran K
Email:indirankpillai@rediffmail.com
Nomination:Amartya Sen
Reason why:In the present day situation, economics is important and with a lot of poor people in India Mr Sen's work becomes important. He has also once again shown that Indians can perform like Europeans.

Name:Meena
Email:meenaa@rediffmail.com
Nomination:The Common Man
Reason why:Despite stories of corruption, soaring prices, violence, defeat and failure at many levels, the the average Indian remains spirited and hopeful. We have the great ability to compare ourselves with people who are worse off than us, and manage to feel happy. And this attitude and spirit keep us going!

Name:Alok Shrivastav
Email:alok_s@yahoo.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar/Leander Paes/Mahesh Bhupati
Reason why:I couldn't make up my mind between the three of them. Sachin is a brilliant cricket and had a magnificent 1998. Leander and Mahesh are ranked the number 2 doubes pair in tennis, a sport which is gaining popularity and which doesn't have brilliant facilities. But these two are the new role models for India to develop a better infrastructure for tennis.

Name:Vivek Mehta
Email:snipa@giasbma.vsnl.net.in
Nomination:Jayabala Ashar
Reason why:THE SHEER GUTS SHOWN BY THIS YOUNG GIRL IN FACE OF SUCH A CALALMITY IS WORTHY ALL THE ACCOLADES. EACH INDIAN MUST LEARN A LESSON FROM HER. EVEN IF 100 SUCH MS ASHARS GET TOGETHER... PUT UP A REAL FIGHT AGAINST THE CORRUPT SYSTEM WHICH IS EATING AWAY OUR COUNTRY ... THIS INDIA WOULD SURELY AWAKEN INTO A BETTER AND BRIGHTER MILLENNIUM.

Name:Navdeep Manaktala
Email:nmanaktala@hotmail.com
Nomination:K R Narayanan
Reason why:As he has carried out his duties as the President of the nation with utmost dignity and in respect of the high office he holds. He has also not got involved in petty national politics and all along held a bipartisan approach.

Name:Amough Aggarwal
Email:yo_40@hotmail.com
Nomination:Mani Ratnam
Reason why:For making a gutsy and brilliant, yet different movie Dil Se. It may have flopped but it is one of the landmark movies of Bollywood. Congratulations for making what to me seems the best movie of the decade!

Name:Girish S Narayanan
Email:girish_narayanan@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:Simply the best and numero uno! The best batsman cricket has ever produced. A boon to cricket.

Name:Ajay Srinivasan
Email:aja_s@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:An amazing year for the little master -- standing tall amidst all else. And, in any case in a dismal year in terms of the politics and economics, cricket was the one bright spark for a nation looking for that spark.

Name:S Rajgopal
Email:amra@vsnl.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:In an environment of despair all around and performances far below average world level in every sphere, be it administration, diplomacy, law and order, civic duties etc - he has been an exception and a shining light for his country.

Name:Shrikant H Joshi
Email:shrikant@zenith-india.com
Nomination:Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Reason why:The only person who always looks beyond personal gains, beyond narrow party lines and works for the best interest of India.

Name:Jose Kavi
Email:kavi@vsnl.com
Nomination:K R Narayanan
Reason why:He is the most sane Indian in the country now. He has risen above regional, casteist, communal handicaps of other Indians to see India as a whole. He has broken convention to save and prove that people with courage and conviction are still found in this country of nitwits.

Name:Raj Dharani
Email:raj_dharani@hotmail.com
Nomination:Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why:A visionary.

Name:Girish Pal Singh
Email:girish@peachworld.com
Nomination:Laloo Prasad Yadav
Reason why:Simple. For being the most honest person of India.

Name:S Radhakrishnan
Email:s.radhakrishnan@vsnl.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:In a year where politics, intrigue and empty rhetoric dominated, some pride was salvaged by the Indian cricket team. Thanks particularly to the sterling and often brilliant performances by Sachin Tendulkar. In an otherwise bleak year, this is a silver lining.

Name:Bhaskar Natarajan
Email:nbhaskar@ix.netcom.com
Nomination:Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Reason why:The best thing that happened to India this year was Mr Vajpayee becoming PM. His courage in conducting the nuclear tests in Pokhran will leave an impact which will be appreciated only decades down the line. The entire country owes Vajpayee their respect for this brave action.

Name:Adittya Mubayi
Email:aditm@nde
Nomination:Romesh Sharma
Reason why:He has singlehandedly exposed the whole politician-criminal nexus, revealing the politically/financially expedient contacts between our so-called patriotic BHARAT-sevak politicians including the BJP, and the underworld dons who they claim as national enemy.

Name:Thomas Panicker
Email:paniker2@kuwait.net
Nomination:Digvijay Singh
Reason why:He is a moderate gentleman politician. His achievements are moderate but he has tried to take his forward. India needs such clean politicians.

Name:Reji Varghese
Email:reji@cs.iitm.ernet.in
Nomination:Dr A P J Abdul Kalam
Reason why:As a leading scientist in the defence and space area, he has contributed immensely to the development of the missile programmes, of which Agni is the latest. His role in the LCA programme is known to all. And to top it all, he has played a major role in organising and putting together the Pokhran nuclear test in May which has established India as a country to be reckoned. He deserves to be the Indian of the year.

Name:Suresh Venkataraman
Email:venkas72@hotmail.com
Nomination:Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why:His far sighted vision and the zeal with which he has industrialised the state of Andhra Pradesh must be emulated by other chief ministers.

Name:Ravi Malhotra
Email:ravimalhotra@hotmail.com
Nomination:Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Reason why:The decision to go ahead with the nuclear tests was a very bold one which no other prime minister in the recent past had the guts to do. People don't realise its importance but India will no longer be viewed as a weak country by USA, China or Pakistan, and also the self esteem of Indians worldwide is boosted.

In India, we don't lack talent or resources -- all we lack is self esteem, pride of being Indian and motiviation. These tests just did that a psychological treatment shot for all the Indians and the benefits will be realised in the coming years. Jai Hind.

Name:Sorbojeet Chatterjee
Email:sorbo@vsnl.com
Nomination:Amartya Sen
Reason why:Frankly thanks to Amartya Sen, India is once again in the limelight in the global scenario.

Name:Dr Kalpen J Desai
Email:kalpen@bom5.vsnl.net.in
Nomination:ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE
Reason why:Inspite of pressures from within and without the government, he has taken the following bold decisions which none of his predecessors could take in spite of wide support or a favourable environment:

1. To conduct nuclear tests.

2. To introduce the insurance regulatory bill and;

3. Moderate thinking amongst his ultra nationalistic colleagues.

Name:Tapas Kumar Kolley
Email:tapask@hotmail.com
Nomination:Dr Amartya Sen
Reason why:Still to be an Indian with fame and accolade, a man of pure Indian heritage and culture. An Indian economist got the Nobel, not an Indian born American citizen. All Indians are proud of him.

Name:Devdatt Nagvekar
Email:devnagve@gateway.net
Nomination:Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Reason why:A patriotic, decent and honest politician which every Indian will be proud of.

Name:Abhijit Mitra
Email:mitra@eden.rutgers.edu
Nomination:Sonia Gandhi
Reason why:For starting the revival of India's oldest political party, not to mention its most stable. For giving Indians a real political choice, between two mainstream political parties with mainstream appeal.

Name:Jayendra S.Ganguli
Email:jsganguli@hotmail.com
Nomination:Ram Sanehi
Reason why:The founder of Abhudaya Ashram and its guiding spirit, 65 year-old Ram Sanehi, thin, and weather-beaten.

The Abhudaya Ashram is a unique school which exclusively enrolls children belonging to the Bedia scheduled caste whose traditional occupation is prostitution: the women are prostitutes, and the men, when they do any work at all, are pimps. It is a caste with its outrageous conventions and rituals, enforced strictly by its caste panchayat, which forbids marriage within the community and celebrates a virgin's deflowering by her first customer.

The headmaster, Ram Sanehi, himself belongs to the caste: he was the first to revolt against its practices and conventions. The Abhudaya Ashram and its three branches are only the last of the many steps he has taken to reform his community. "To bring about a lasting change, one has to influence the younger generation," Ram Sanehi said. "Very few Bedia children are sent to school. I felt if these children could be taken away from their homes and educated in a different environment, they would be more inclined to break away from their caste occupation."

Ram Sanehi is self educated, having dropped out of school after class three. Born in Got village, 37 km from Morena, as the eldest of three brothers, he was a reasonably good student. "My mother was too poor to buy me the books, but I would borrow them from friends for a day or two before the exam, and still perform quite well." But when he was eight his family sent him to Meerut along with a cousin and her mother, who were going to set up 'business' there. "My cousin got a place in Neel ki Galli, the biggest red-light area of the town," he said. "She was the cheapest type of whore who hung out of the window and called out to passersby. She worked from 7 am to 11 pm. everyday.

Name:SHUBHAM CHANDRA
Email:shubhamchandra@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:Is it necessary? It's too obvious!!

Name:Amit Gupta
Email:ambhani@aol.com
Nomination:Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why:Chandrababu Naidu is the only Indian leader who gets things done. He is rapidly modernising Andhra Pradesh. I only wish there were more leaders like him in India.

Name:Anmol Dixit
Email:anmolee@yahoo.com
Nomination:Jyoti Basu
Reason why:He has hung in there for close to 22 years. Russia is dead and gone, Marx and Engels are turning in their graves, but Mr Basu goes on and on and on and on...

Name:Anand
Email:anandviyer@hotmail.com
Nomination:Abdul Kalam
Reason why:He made India stand in a very positive platform, where the superpowers bend their heads.

Name:Anoop Gidwani
Email:gidwani@hkstar.com
Nomination:A B Vajpayee
Reason why:The only political leader with a clean image and sincere wish to do something for the country. Unfortunately, with the lack of parliamentary majority and the support of unreasonable allies, he has been unable to achieve his potential. He is willing to take hard decisions for the good of the country (nuclear tests).

Name:Nishant Kapur
Email:nkapur@poboxes.com
Nomination:Sonia Gandhi
Reason why:Has redefined the traditional Congress party; has been able to do away with the lethargy of the 'oldies' in the intellectually bankrupt Congress; is an Indian if anyone has doubts on that score since according to the Indian tradition the woman acquires the gotra of the family she is married into. Is elegant and mature; looks good in saris, is very savvy, has a strong head on her delicate shoulders, would make a beautiful prime minister.

Name:D Ramakrishna
Email:ramki64@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:Nothing unifies India as much as cricket does. And nobody has done as much for Indian cricket as Sachin has. He has single-handedly created more moments of national pride than all other Indians put together. For a genetically cynical and 'we're like that only' populace, Sachin is the only icon of aggressive confidence.

Name:Saurabh Gupta
Email:s4gupta@undergrad.math.uwaterloo.ca
Nomination:Abdul Kalam
Reason why:He's the man! The nuke guy! He is a very frank person, and responsible for India being so advanced here, and one who has stuck to his tasks against all odds. Hats off!!!

Name:Akash Bhatia
Email:bhatia_akash@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:No one even comes near him.

Name:Shirish Jain
Email:shirishjain@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:Simply because he is the best of our times.

Name:P R Srinivasan
Email:percyvasan@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sonia Gandhi
Reason why:Her achievements for the year are remarkable... starting the year with the handicap of being a foreigner (as if the Congress party by itself is no handicap). In what everybody agrees was a coalition era, she is ending the year with poll predictions of winning a majority in Parliament.

Name:Ravi Nalluri
Email:nalluri@megsinet.net
Nomination:Professor Amartya Sen
Reason why:I think Professor Sen's work tries to provide us insight into the causes of poverty, famine and other important issues. It also shows us the means to address the problems facing the poorest sections of our society. His receiving the Nobel Prize brings the spotlight on this critical aspect of the Indian society that needs to be adressed before we can set our country on the right path for catching up with the developed countries!

Name:Ramadesikan G R
Email:ramadesikangr@yahoo.com
Nomination:Dr F C Kohli, director TCS
Reason why: In this year when we go gaga over the Indian software industry's performance. We have to thank the founding father of the Indian software industry. Dr Kohli started knocking the doors of organisations abroad in 1968-69, when the computer was an unknown entity in the country.

Name:K S Ananthanarayanan
Email:ksan2000@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:You know why?

Name:Sunil Narang
Email:narang_sunil@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:Do I have to reason why?

Name:Sangeeta P Mahendran
Email:sangeeta.mahendran@compaq.com
Nomination:Abdul Kalam
Reason why:This gentleman in addition to being the role model for what every Indian should be, has given us a reason to smile! Proud to be an Indian -- Kalamsaab epitomises this thought.

Name:R K Dhanvada
Email:srk@vsnl.com
Nomination:Dr U K Mishra
Reason why:Dr Mishra is a bureaucrat-cum-obsessive gymnast. He is very quietly developing a talent bank of gymnasts starting from age 5. His team of juniors vitually sweeps all the medals in this category in India and just last week they won 17 medals -- 5 golds in European tournaments.

He has a very low profile and says that now his eight-year old efforts will give dividends when these gymnasts qualify for the senior teams to participate in the Asian, European and Olympics events starting 2000.

All this from a small place in Allahabad. His email address is mishra@nde.vsnl.net.in and in all fairness, you should report it in Rediff to encourage him all the more to make his conviction of India winning a gold in the 2004 Olympics!

His address is Allahabad Gymnastic Association, Boys High School, Allahabad 211 002. Phone: 0532 -606306, 605602,642999 or the residence 642884. Let's all encourage him.

Name:Rajesh Ramaswamy
Email:rajesh_swamy@hotmail.com
Nomination:Mr Ananth Kumar
Reason why:He was the only person who achieved his wish of making India or Bangalore a Ram Rajya by not sanctioning the international airport for his personal gains.

Name:Ramesh Kumar
Email:peeyar@vsnl.com
Nomination:Jyoti Basu
Reason why:He is the only Indian politician who could keep his support base intact for more than 20 years running. And his popularity keeps on rising each day.

Name:Sridhar
Email:enmac@vsnl.com
Nomination:Sitaram Kesri
Reason why:Sitaram Kesri was the person who changed the political and economic equilibrium of India. By withdrawing support to Mr Gowda and I K Gujral, he has been the most infamous person to bring in the election to the country.

Name:Ganesh Dutt
Email:ganesh@himachal.ren.nic.in
Nomination:Amartya Sen
Reason why:Unmatched work for social cause.

Name:Rizwan Thakur
Email:rizthakur@netcenter.net
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:For his achievements in the sport of cricket in the year 1998.

Name:Ashish Kacholia
Email:ashish_kacholia@hotmail.com
Nomination:Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why:For giving the ordinary Indian who is sick and tired of self serving politicians who make money but do not deliver on their promise -- the hope that the new generation of politicians will deliver an efficient administration.

For at least making other chief ministers think that success in politics may be possible by means other than populism.

For marketing India to the international IT industry so that the talent of India doesn't have to migrate abroad to work in the Microsofts and the IBMs and the Baans and the Oracles of the World.

Name:Gopalakrishnan
Email:krisdwar @ md3.vsnl.net.in.
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:The only person to have brought our motherland consistent glory through a sport, and by doing so transcending nationalities.

Name:Achinth G Anand
Email:achinth@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:He kept our spirits high during the price rise crisis.

Name:Y Srinivas
Email:manac@hd1.vsnl.net.in
Nomination:Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why:1. Taking hard decisions which are not populist.
2. Putting the economy ahead of divisive politics in the state's agenda.
3. Ushering in progressive ideas and using it in government. For the clean and green campaign, and for self help.
4. For giving a fillip to it industry where Andhras have an edge.
5. Restructuring public sector enterprises
6. Making Andhra Pradesh a preferred destination for FDI and a lot more.

Name:Bharat Nijhawan
Email:bharat_nijhawan@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:Just 2 words -- CONSISTENTLY a CHAMPION.

Name:Kumar Rajendran
Email:kumarrajendran@hotmail.com
Nomination:A P J Abdul Kalam
Reason why:The scientist who made others think!

Name:Goutam
Email:goutamsaha@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:Great Indian batsman.

Name:Santosh Prabhu
Email:saprabhu@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:The only sportsman we can really be proud of.

Name:Abdul Wahid Sait
Email:wahid_saita@hotmail.com
Nomination:Mr Yashwant Sinha
Reason why:Attempts to hold strong and not let go of a weaking, or perhaps dying economy.

Name:Murali Krishna Viswanathan
Email:murly@md3.vsnl.net.in
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:He has brought the greatest joy to me and millions of other Indians, and has given us something to be proud of.

Name:murlee Kumar
Email:murle_k@hotmail.com
Nomination:Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why: A very hard working politician. He is the only politician who is doing something great for his state. Especially in the IT industry. He has made a lot of improvement in Hyderabad. He has banned garlanding and functions and all. He says: "This is the time to work not for getting praised or garlanded."

Name:Rampal Singh
Email:rampal@writeme.com
Nomination:Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Reason why:He took the painful task of heading a coalition and has tried hard to run a goverment despite all round protest.

Name:Varinder N Sarin
Email:sarin@boodai.com
Nomination:Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Reason why:Probably the only remaining honest Indian politician who made true Indians proud by ordering nuclear tests, and showed the world that Indians can also walk with their heads high.

Name:Ajit Shenoy
Email:leavemealone2000@yahoo.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:Who else succeeded in uniting India? Dr Abdul Kalam was appreciated; his work wasn't. Dr Sen was feted; his theories remain unpalatable. Tendulkar alone is above controversy.

Name:Sandeep
Email:sandeepthegreat@hotmail.com
Nomination:Dr Abdul Kalam
Reason why:He is the principle reason why the US gets put off by Indian scientists (who are the best in the world).

Name:Prakash Shetty
Email:prakashshetty@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:His single-minded pursuit of excellence -- not caring for competition, his grit and determination to make India victorious always stand out.

Name:KUNAL VAISHNAV
Email:k_vaishnav@hotmail.com
Nomination:THE COMMON MAN
Reason why:IT'S BEEN A YEAR WHEN INDIA WAS AT ITS BEST AND WORST. A YEAR WHEN INDIA SHOWED TO THE WORLD ITS NUCLEAR PROWESS, AN INDIAN WINNING A NOBEL PRIZE, INDIA'S GOOD SHOWING AT THE ASIAN GAMES. BUT MY CHOICE WOULD GO TO THE "COMMON MAN" OF INDIA. HE WHO HAS WITNESSED THE UPS AND DOWNS, IN SPITE OF THE RISING INFLATION, PRICES, STILL MANAGED TO HOLD HIS OWN AND COME OUT A MUCH STRONGER, STERNER,WISER MEN.

HE TRULY WAS THE ONE WHO WAS AT THE RECEIVING END OF ALL THE WORSE. BUT IN THE TRUE INDIAN SPIRIT, HE HAS RISEN ABOVE ALL AND MADE A MARK FOR HIMSELF. NOTWITHSTANDING, A COUPLE OF FOOLISH ANTIQUES BY SOME MISGUIDED PEOPLE. HE HAS TRULY BROUGHT OUT THE TRUE SPIRIT OF INDIA.

Name:Anup
Email:anup7@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:Because he is the pride of the nation and he is one person who has had a fab year.

Name:Devjyoti Mohanty
Email:devjyotim@hotmail.com
Nomination:SACHIN TENDULKAR
Reason why:In a year when a number of our great personalities -- "leaders," firebrand social activists, actors and entertainers promised and faltered -- this great guy stood out. He promised and delivered in style. He epitomised the fact that set your mind on the job at hand and gave it your undivided best -- you WILL win -- well we as Indians rode piggy-back on him. Hence, Sachin is my INDIAN OF THE YEAR.

Name:Rajul Misra
Email:rmisra@mail.utexas.edu
Nomination:Abdul Kalam
Reason why:One of the greatest scientists India has ever produced! And 1998 was definitely his year more than anybody else's.

Name:Sathish
Email:sathish13@hotmail.com
Nomination:Abdul Kalam
Reason why:He made our country proud.

Name:SUMIT SYALL
Email:S_SYALL@HOTMAIL.COM
Nomination:AMARTYA SEN
Reason why:I have chosen him because in a land of immense poverty and hunger he is like a ray of hope. If only our politicians stop bickering and fighting amongst themselves over petty issues and heed some of Amartya Sen's ideas and advice on economic issues, will we be truly progressing.

Name:Lava
Email:lava.yj@hotmail.com
Nomination:N Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why:For bringing economics ahead of politics. And also making other CMs follow his footsteps in IT policies.

Name:Arvind Bhargava
Email:scorpio_arvind@hotmail.com
Nomination:Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why:Full marks to Chandrababu Naidu for showing the road to other states and to the Central government how to utilise India's info-tech manpower to proper use. The seeds he has sown will bring India on top of the IT industry. When the whole world is recognising the Indian brainware, it is very sad that our governments are now awakening to this truth so late. But better late than never. It is now up to the government at the Centre to capitalise on this start and provide ample opportunities to the private entrepreneurs to become part of the information highway.

Name:Mangesh Borse
Email:mangeshborse@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sonia Gandhi
Reason why:Intelligently guiding the Congress inch by inch towards its objective of governing this country to a great new millennium!

Name:Madhumita Datta
Email:mita@glue.umd.edu
Nomination:Jyotirmoyee Sikdar
Reason why:Magical performance in the Bangkok Asian Games, winning golden double in the 1500 and 800 metres.

Name:NITIN SHABBIR
Email:nitin_shabbir@hotmail.com
Nomination:SACHIN TENDULKAR
Reason why:I HAD THREE 3 PEOPLE IN MIND.

1. SONIA GANDHI, WHO DESPITE HER THUMPING SUCCESS CANNOT BE TITLED.

2. MR SEN WHO HAS WON THE NOBEL PRIZE, BUT I WOULDN'T GIVE MY VOTE TO SOMEBODY WHO STAYS O/S INDIA AND COMMENTS ON OUR COUNTRY. SO THE CHOICE IS OBVIOUS.

Name:Siddharth Mangharam
Email:sidmango@rediffmail.com
Nomination:Sabeer Bhatia
Reason why:Need I explain!?

Name:Dr K Raghu
Email:raghudrk@md3.vsnl.net.in
Nomination:Professor A P J Abdul Kalam
Reason why:Dr Abdul Kalam is a visionary and a brilliant scientist, who has been the driving force behind India's high-tech missiledevelopment programme. Not only that he has made us all proud of the fact that India can stand on its own legs without having to borrow or steal foreign technology. His vision for India in the 21st century is indeed unique and worthy of emulation by all of us and certainly those in power should do well to listen to him, and get our country moving forward. I have no hesitation in naming Dr Abdul Kalam as the most distinguished Indian of 1998.

Name:Navin Khadiya
Email:khadiya@eden.rutgers.edu
Nomination:Jaswant Singh
Reason why:A sane, sincere politician; a visionary who can also work out the details of infrastructure, IT and defence alike. A sober, reliable and reasonable face to present to the outside world. In short, he does everything that India needs most right now!

Name:Atul Kataria
Email:iansari@bom6.vsnl.net.in
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:The most obvious reasons are the correct ones!!!

Name:Bimal John
Email:bimaljohn@rediffmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:Not by choice, but due to lack of it.

Name:B Bhawal
Email:bbhawal@ligo.caltech.edu
Nomination:Amartya Sen
Reason why:World's best recognition for an Indian academician, and the field of study he initiated. These really act to build up confidence in our capabilities. Unlike a number of our Nobel laureates, he has chosen to remain an Indian though he also could easily convert himself into a citizen of a developed country many years back.

Name:Nachiketa Mishra
Email:sunny123@netzero.net
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:Because he is the greatest!!!

Name:Prasad
Email:stinx76@hotmail.com
Nomination:A B Vajpayee
Reason why:He's a strong man who will lead the nation to better days. He needs more time. He has done quite a few good things so far and I'm sure more are yet to come.

Name:Aditya Choudhary
Email:adichow@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:Because he has brought glory to Indian cricket. He has paved the way for Indian cricket.

Name:Amit-Kumar-Shandilya
Email:amit2881@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:At the stage when India is going at an all time low ie going through its worse period, he is the only Indian who has done proud to the nation, by becoming the highest one day century scorer. He has lifted his bat 21 times and will raise his bat for another 100 times for sure.

Name:Dinesh Menon
Email:dinesh_m@yahoo.com
Nomination:A P J Abdul Kalam and Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar
Reason why:Both helped India achieve its rightful place in their fields.

Name:Mohan Marette
Email:mmarette@hotmail.com
Nomination:Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why:A shinining example of leadership for other Indian politicians to follow. The man, without question, has accomplished a lot for his state. A breath of fresh air in an otherwise uninspiring political scene of India.

Name:Pc
Email:coral@vsnl.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:Indians are known throughout the world for their mediocre performance, indiscipline, inconsistency ... here is a guy who consistently excelled in his field with perfect sense of self discipline. And with utmost humility.

Name:Nitin N Pai
Email:painn@post1.com
Nomination:N Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why:For his vision. He's the only guy who sees India in the knowledge-based economies of the future.

Name:Saurabh Bagchi
Email:bagchi@cs.uiuc.edu
Nomination:Amartya Sen
Reason why:Dr Sen's winning the Nobel Prize brought India to the headlines the world over -- and for once not for its "nationalist Hindu party" shenanigans, nor with pictures of bare-backed famished dusty villagers. His achievement, overdue as it was, gave expression to India's collective academic achievements in the vistas of the world as has happened far too rarely (a Ramanujam, a Raman).

A matter of no small importance is that Dr Sen has held on to a sense of Indianness by not forsaking his nationality, which alas many other high-achievers find only too convenient to disard. To me there is little doubt that his investigation of the economics of famine and poverty is far removed from the flamboyance of say a pedagogic analysis of stock market trends, and is much closer to the struggles of so many of his fellow countrymen. Here's to a scholar who's done me and the country proud.

Name:K Surendar
Email:veddesh@hotmail.com
Nomination:Sachin Tendulkar
Reason why:He saw us reach the final in Sharjah in that all important match. He has also done his magic with the ball many a time this year.

Name:A MD MALICK
Email:amdmalick@mailcity.com
Nomination:SACHIN TENDULKAR
Reason why:Perhaps Sachin Tendulkar is the only person I can boast of in the international circle of friends. Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen can be considered to have boasted the Indian image, but not to Sachin's level and popularity. If one has to look for somebody else, no choice at all.

Name:Kalyani Raja
Email:raja@bom2.vsnl.net.in
Nomination:Abdul Kalam
Reason why:I thought of four Indians: Abdul Kalam, Sonia Gandhi, Sachin Tendulkar and Amartya Sen. Considering their presence in Indian minds for the best part of the year, the long term impact of their contribution during the year on India and the importance of that contribution, I would vote for Abdul Kalam.

Name:Vipin Kumar
Email:vip_in@hotmail.com
Nomination:A P J ABDUL KALAM
Reason why:Because he really did us proud.

Name:BVallinayaki
Email:balavalli@hotmail.com
Nomination:Abdul Kalam
Reason why:He is a patriotic person. He had proved his patriotism by doing his research in India. By his effort we have proved ourselves in the field of nuclear weapons.

Name:J K Anil
Email:pratheeksha@hotmail.com
Nomination:Dr A P J Abdul Kalam
Reason why:He is a man of great inspiration for all Indians. He has single-handedly shown India and the world how we, Indians can overcome our limitations and achieve greate heights. Undoubtedly, not only the Indian of the year, I will vote him Indian of the century.

Name:Chitra
Email:chitra_dc@hotmail.com
Nomination:Anna Hazare
Reason why:He intends to do the most toughest reform that can be done in Indian society - anti corruption drive. If his effort succeeds, I think India will be the most successful democracy in the world.

Name:N.Vishnu kiran
Email:vishnukiran@hotmail.com
Nomination:N Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why:Naidu proved that still there is hope. In the current scenario, where the economy is down, prices are soaring, he inspired us not to give up. His example shows that don't complain, but look for the bigger picture and strive for our part in the pie. As he said: 'Indians do not lack leaders, but leaders lack imagination.' He made me believe that the political system India is following is right.

Name:A Senthil Kumar
Email:senthil_a@hotmail.com
Nomination:Amartya Sen
Reason why: The First Asian to get the Nobel for Economics.

Name:R C Nougain
Email:nougain@hotmail.com
Nomination:George Fernandes
Reason why:Right politician and true patriot.

Name:GOUTAM ROY
Email:goutamroy@hotmail.com
Nomination:AMARTYA SEN
Reason why:The first Asian to win a NOBEL for Economics and independently. His theory clearly and specifically aims as Third World countries like India. The Nobel committee has recognised the welfare side of economics as a means of true economic development.

Name:Ramesh
Email:rameshdr@cad.delhi.nic.in
Nomination:N Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why:A politician with a difference. A visionary who brought benefits of IT to the doorsteps of the common man. Progressive and hardworking.

Name:Sriganesh Sundaram
Email:srig@mailcity.com
Nomination:Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why:For his steps towards making AP a more efficient and developed state.

Name:Anand Sinha
Email:av_sinha@mail.com
Nomination:Pramod Mahajan
Reason why:The one man who seems to have raised the level of politics and still is not part of the past.

Name:Dhiruj Sarda
Email:eastcoast@vsnl.com
Nomination:Dr A P J Kalam
Reason why:This man with his team of scientists showed the world that we are the greatest. He made a point that we do not need the help of any yanks for our development. I want to be another A P J KALAM.

Name:Mahesh Halyal
Email:mahesh@cad.delhi.nic.in
Nomination:N Chandrababu Naidu.
Reason why:My choice is the CM (or CEO ) of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu. I wish he will be our next prime minister.

Name:N. Srinivasa Rao
Email:srinivas@cad.delhi.nic.in
Nomination:Dr A P J Abdul Kalam
Reason why:Dr Kalam is the true Indian achiever with clear vision and dedication. India is fortunate enough to have such a great scientist who works for the nation and not for individual credit. At a time when there is tremondous brain drain of excellent intellectuals to developed foriegn countries, we should feel proud about Dr Kalam -- who showed his capabilities to the nation with his life dedicated to the development of India.

Name:Rabi
Email:rabi@icodeindia.soft.net
Nomination:Professor Abdul Kalam
Reason why:His selfless dedication for the country.