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401 profiles in the network

PR
Person

Poruri Sai Rahul

CEO

Poruri Sai Rahul is an Indian software developer and tech policy enthusiast who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the FOSS United Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the Free and Open Source Software ecosystem in India. He transitioned into software engineering after completing his integrated bachelor's and master's degrees in physics from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, where his early programming interest was sparked by building physics simulations. Prior to leading FOSS United, Rahul spent eight years as a Scientific Software Developer at Enthought, a company focused on scientific computing and developer tools. During his tenure there, he worked across multiple global hubs, including Pune, Chennai, Austin, and Cambridge, and actively maintained projects within the Scientific Python stack. He later expanded into technology policy, receiving a scholarship from FOSS United to study at the Takshashila Institution. After extensively volunteering and helping organize major ecosystem conferences, he joined FOSS United full-time as CEO in mid-2024. In addition to this role, he serves as Head of Software at Softcircuits Labs and acts as an advisor to the Saryan Vigyan Foundation.

Technology Person
SM
Person

Sidhartha Mallya

Actor and Author

Sidhartha Vijay Mallya is an American-born, British-raised actor, author, and mental health advocate of Indian descent. Born in Los Angeles, California, to prominent Indian businessman Vijay Mallya and Samira Tyabjee Mallya, he spent much of his youth raised in London and Dubai. He attended Wellington College in Berkshire before obtaining a bachelor's degree in business management from Queen Mary University of London. Initially groomed to inherit his family's vast beverage and commercial empire, Mallya began his career in the corporate world. He completed a management stint at the multinational beverage firm Diageo as an assistant brand manager for Guinness before joining United Spirits Limited as a marketing manager in 2010. During this time, he served as the public face and director of the Royal Challengers Bangalore cricket franchise in the Indian Premier League and hosted several online web series. Deciding to shift his focus from business to the arts, Mallya relocated to London to train at the prestigious Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London, where he graduated with a Master of Arts in acting for screen. Adopting the professional moniker 'Sid Mallya' to distinguish his career from his family name, he made his feature film debut in the Netflix original film 'Brahman Naman' in 2016. In addition to acting, Mallya is an accomplished writer. He launched the mental wellness series 'conSIDerThis' and has authored multiple best-selling books on emotional well-being, including his memoir 'If I'm Honest' and the children's guide 'Sad/Glad'.

Media Person
AS
Person

Arvind Savur

Veteran Cue Sports Coach and Former National Champion

Arvind Savur is a highly distinguished Indian cue sports athlete and coach, widely celebrated for his monumental contributions to billiards and snooker in India. Born in December 1941, Savur initially excelled in table tennis before transitioning to cue sports due to health and weight constraints. He emerged as a formidable competitor, known for his lightning reflexes, rapid style of play, and tactical sharpness, earning him the nickname 'Tornado Fats' within the national circuit. Over his illustrious playing career, he won multiple national accolades, securing the National Billiards Championship titles in 1967 and 1979, alongside the National Snooker Championship victories in 1976 and 1978. On the international stage, he was the first Indian cueist to reach the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championship, doing so in both 1972 and 1980. Following his highly successful playing career, Savur transitioned seamlessly into coaching, establishing himself as one of India's premier mentors in cue sports. Operating from his residence in Malleswaram, Bangalore, he famously dedicated decades to providing free training, accommodation, and hospitality to emerging cue sports talents. His most notable protégé is the multi-time world champion Pankaj Advani, whom Savur spotted as a young prodigy in 1995 and carefully guided from his foundational years into international superstardom. He also coached other prominent figures like Chitra Magimairaj and served as the Indian Chief Coach during the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in 1998. In recognition of his enduring excellence as an athlete and mentor, the Government of India honored him with the prestigious Arjuna Award for the 1978-1979 period and the Dronacharya Award in 2004.

Sports Person
Org
IR
Organization

Indian Railways

State-owned national railway system of India

Indian Railways is the statutory body under the ownership of the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, that operates the nation's unified rail network. As one of the largest and busiest rail networks globally, it serves as the crucial logistical and passenger backbone of the Indian economy. The organization manages tens of thousands of kilometers of route length, spanning a multi-gauge network that integrates long-distance routes, commuter lines, and dedicated freight corridors across the entire Indian subcontinent. Administratively, the system is organized into eighteen operational zones, each overseen by a General Manager, with ultimate governance structuralized under the Railway Board led by a Chairman and CEO. The historical origins of the entity date back to the mid-nineteenth century, commencing operations under British colonial rule with a landmark passenger service in 1853. Following India's independence, the network underwent a monumental nationalization process in 1951, amalgamating over forty separate private and state-owned provincial railway companies into a single cohesive state enterprise. Indian Railways has pioneered major technological phases, transitioning from steam to diesel traction, deploying massive rapid-transit local infrastructure such as the Mumbai Suburban Railway, and implementing extensive digitization like the countrywide CONCERT computerized reservation system. Today, the corporation is pursuing an ambitious modernization roadmap, prioritizing complete network electrification, expanding high-speed routes via the Vande Bharat and bullet train corridors, and working towards becoming a net-zero carbon emitter.

Administrator Organization
RS
Person

Raj Shamani

Indian entrepreneur and host of the Figuring Out podcast

Raj Shamani is a prominent Indian entrepreneur, podcaster, digital content creator, and angel investor. He is best known as the host of Figuring Out, one of India's most popular long-form business podcasts, where he interviews top entrepreneurs, leaders, athletes, and global influencers. Born in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Shamani stepped into the business world at the young age of 16 to support his family amidst financial hardships, experimenting with liquid soap manufacturing. Over the years, he scaled the business into Shamani Industries. Beyond manufacturing, Raj established himself as a prominent keynote public speaker, delivering talks globally, including at the United Nations. He has actively backed numerous Indian startups as an angel investor and co-founded House of X, a D2C venture studio aimed at helping creators build consumer brands. As a youth icon, he creates educational content focused on mindset, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial growth, and has authored the bestselling book Build, Don't Talk.

Media Person
RA
Person

Ravichandran Ashwin

Indian International Cricketer

Ravichandran Ashwin is an Indian international cricketer who plays for the Indian national cricket team as an all-rounder. Renowned for his exceptional off-spin bowling, Ashwin is widely considered one of the greatest spin bowlers in the history of Test cricket. He is the fastest bowler to reach several milestone wicket marks in Test cricket, including 250, 300, and 350 wickets. Born and raised in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Ashwin started his domestic cricket career with Tamil Nadu and made his international debut for India in 2010. Known for his tactical intelligence and variations like the carrom ball, he quickly became a vital cog in India's spin attack, especially in home conditions. Ashwin played a pivotal role in India's victory at the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. Beyond his international achievements, he has had a highly successful career in the Indian Premier League, representing prominent franchises such as Chennai Super Kings, Kings XI Punjab, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals. In 2024, Ashwin reached the historic milestone of taking 500 Test wickets, becoming only the second Indian bowler after Anil Kumble to achieve this feat. Aside from his bowling exploits, Ashwin is an accomplished lower-order batter with multiple Test centuries to his name, highlighting his utility as a genuine all-rounder. He has been honored with the Arjuna Award and the ICC Cricketer of the Year award.

Sports Person
AM
Person

Abhishek Malhan

Indian YouTuber and Social Media Influencer

Abhishek Malhan, widely recognized by his online moniker Fukra Insaan, is a highly popular Indian YouTuber, digital content creator, musician, and social media personality. Born on April 12, 1997, in New Delhi, India, Malhan completed his business studies at Delhi College of Arts and Commerce before fully committing to digital media. He launched his YouTube journey in July 2019, quickly gaining traction with high-energy challenge videos, humorous pranks, and relatable reaction content. Within a few years, his creative content and engaging personality earned him millions of subscribers and established him as a prominent figure in India's digital entertainment ecosystem. In 2023, Malhan transitioned from digital platforms to mainstream national media when he participated in the second season of the reality television show Bigg Boss OTT. His strategic gameplay, strong personality, and loyal fan base led him to the finals, where he finished as the first runner-up. Beyond his solo achievements, Malhan belongs to a highly prominent family of Indian creators; his brother Nischay Malhan is the famous YouTuber Triggered Insaan, and his mother Dimple Malhan runs her own successful channel. Known for his collaborations with other top Indian influencers and his venture into independent music videos, Abhishek Malhan remains an influential voice and a leading name in India's creator economy.

Media Person
KK
Person

Karan Kundrra

Indian television actor and host

Karan Kundrra is a prominent Indian television actor, model, and host widely recognized for his extensive work in Hindi-language entertainment. He rose to stardom with his breakthrough debut performance as Arjun Punj in Ekta Kapoor's popular romantic drama series Kitani Mohabbat Hai in 2009. Over the years, Kundrra has built a versatile career spanning fiction dramas, major reality television formats, and feature films. He established himself as a dominant figure in youth reality entertainment, serving as a prominent gang leader and host for multiple editions of MTV Roadies and hosting shows like MTV Love School and Gumrah End of Innocence. His national popularity spiked significantly following his participation in the reality show Bigg Boss 15 in 2021, where he emerged as the second runner-up. In addition to his substantial television presence, Kundrra has expanded his portfolio into cinema with appearances in movies such as Mubarakan, 1921, and Thank You for Coming, as well as several digital web series on prominent streaming platforms.

Media Person
SB
Person

Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Indian filmmaker, screenwriter, and music composer

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is one of Indian cinema's most acclaimed and visually distinctive filmmakers, recognized for his grand aesthetic vision, operatic scale, and tragic romanticism. Born in Mumbai, he studied at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) before establishing his unique voice in Hindi cinema. He made his directorial debut with the critically acclaimed musical drama Khamoshi: The Musical in 1996. Over nearly three decades, Bhansali has become synonymous with lavish period dramas, sprawling sets, and highly intricate musical compositions, which he frequently writes himself. His landmark directorial works include iconic box office successes and cultural milestones such as Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, Black, Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, and Gangubai Kathiawadi. Throughout his career, he has been honored with numerous accolades, including seven National Film Awards and the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor. In 2024, Bhansali expanded his artistic reach into digital streaming with the massive epic drama series Heeramandi, while simultaneously launching his independent music label, Bhansali Music.

Media Person