DN
Mahant Digvijay Nath
Former Mahant of Gorakhnath Math and Indian Politician
Mahant Digvijay Nath was an influential Indian priest, politician, and the chief priest of the Gorakhnath Math in Gorakhpur, India. Born as Nanhu Singh in Udaipur, Rajasthan, he was initiated into the Nath monastic order under Mahant Baba Gambhir Nath. Digvijay Nath played a pivotal role in shaping the political and social landscape of post-independence India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. He was a prominent leader of the Hindu Mahasabha, serving as its general secretary and later president. Under his leadership, the Gorakhnath Math became a hub of political activism, closely aligning with Hindu nationalist movements. He was actively involved in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in Ayodhya during the late 1940s, which significantly mobilized Hindu sentiments. Digvijay Nath was also elected as a Member of Parliament to the fourth Lok Sabha in 1967 from the Gorakhpur constituency as an independent candidate supported by the Hindu Mahasabha. He established several educational institutions in Gorakhpur under the Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad, contributing immensely to local education. He passed away on September 28, 1969, leaving a legacy of politically active monasticism that was carried forward by his successors, Mahant Avaidyanath and Yogi Adityanath.
Political
Person
PM
Pranab Mukherjee
13th President of India and veteran Indian politician
Pranab Mukherjee was an eminent Indian statesman who served as the 13th President of India from 2012 to 2017. Over a distinguished political career spanning five decades, Mukherjee was one of the most prominent leaders of the Indian National Congress and held several key ministerial portfolios in the Government of India. Prior to his presidency, he served as the Union Finance Minister from 2009 to 2012, navigating the country through the global financial crisis. He also held the critical portfolios of Minister of External Affairs, Minister of Defence, and Minister of Commerce at various times, showcasing his versatile governance capabilities. Mukherjee began his political journey in 1969, mentored by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who recognized his sharp intellect and parliamentary skills. Known as a master strategist and consensus-builder, he played an indispensable role in managing complex coalition politics during the United Progressive Alliance administrations. His deep understanding of constitutional matters made him a vital troubleshooter for his party and the government. In recognition of his decades of service to the nation, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, in 2019. He passed away on August 31, 2020, in New Delhi, leaving behind a legacy of astute leadership and dedicated public service.
Political
Person
Renaissance Technologies
American Quantitative Investment Management Firm
Renaissance Technologies LLC is an American quantitative hedge fund management firm headquartered in East Setauket, New York. Founded in 1982 by mathematician and former codebreaker Jim Simons alongside Howard Morgan, the firm is widely regarded as one of the most successful and pioneering quantitative trading firms in financial history. Renaissance gained international renown for its proprietary Medallion Fund, an internal employee fund famous for producing unprecedented double-digit annual returns over several decades through mathematical and statistical modeling. Departing from traditional Wall Street hiring practices, Renaissance primarily employs scientists, mathematicians, computer programmers, and physicists with doctorate degrees to identify non-random statistical patterns in global financial markets. The firm is currently led by Chief Executive Officer Peter Brown.
Finance
Organization
RK
Randhir Kapoor
Indian Actor, Director, and Producer
Randhir Kapoor is an acclaimed Indian actor, producer, and film director who worked predominantly in Hindi cinema. Born on February 15, 1947, in Bombay (now Mumbai), he is a prominent member of the legendary Kapoor family. He is the eldest son of the iconic filmmaker Raj Kapoor and the grandson of theater pioneer Prithviraj Kapoor. Randhir made his debut as both a leading actor and director with the 1971 family drama film Kal Aaj Aur Kal, which also featured his father Raj Kapoor and grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor, marking a rare three-generation collaboration. Throughout the 1970s, Randhir became a popular leading man, starring in several successful movies such as Jeet, Hamrahi, Jawani Diwani, Lafange, and Ponga Pandit. Known for his charming on-screen persona and comedic timing, he established a strong foothold in Bollywood. In 1971, he married actress Babita, with whom he has two daughters, Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor, both of whom went on to become leading actresses in Hindi cinema. Behind the camera, Randhir took over the reins of the family's production banner, R.K. Films, following his father's demise in 1988. He directed the critically acclaimed romantic drama Henna in 1991, which was initially started by Raj Kapoor. He also produced the 1996 film Prem Granth and directed Aa Ab Laut Chalen in 1999. In his later years, Randhir transitioned to supporting roles, appearing in hit comedies like Housefull and Housefull 2. He remains an influential patriarch of the Kapoor family and a respected figure in the Indian entertainment industry.
Media
Person
ND
Nargis
Legendary Indian Actress and Parliamentarian
Nargis, born Fatima Rashid on June 1, 1929, is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actresses in the history of Indian cinema. Making her screen debut as a child artist in Talash-e-Haq (1935), her adult acting career began with Tamanna in 1942. Over a career spanning more than three decades, she starred in numerous commercially successful and critically acclaimed films. She formed a legendary on-screen pairing with actor and director Raj Kapoor in classics such as Awaara, Barsaat, Shree 420, and Chori Chori. Her career peaked with her performance as Radha in the Academy Award-nominated epic Mother India (1957). This career-defining role won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress and cemented her status as an icon of Indian cinema. In 1958, she married her Mother India co-star Sunil Dutt, after he heroically saved her from a fire on the film's set, and she subsequently retired from active filmmaking to raise her family. She was the first actress to be honored with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award. In her later years, she dedicated herself to social causes, serving as the first patron of the Spastics Society of India. Her significant public service led to her nomination to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, in 1980. Nargis tragically passed away from pancreatic cancer on May 3, 1981, just three days before the premiere of her son Sanjay Dutt's debut film, Rocky.
Media
Person
MM
Manish Malhotra
Indian Fashion Designer and Costume Designer
Manish Malhotra is one of India's most celebrated fashion designers, widely recognized for his transformative impact on Bollywood costume design and Indian bridal wear. Born in Mumbai, Malhotra began his career as a model before transitioning into costume designing in 1990 with the film Swarg. His massive breakthrough came in 1995 with the blockbuster movie Rangeela, for which he won the Filmfare Award for Best Costume Design, redefining how Hindi cinema approached styling and fashion. Over his illustrious career spanning more than three decades, Malhotra has styled almost every major Indian cinema star, including Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Aishwarya Rai. In 2005, he launched his eponymous couture label, Manish Malhotra, which has since become synonymous with opulent Indian traditional wear, intricate embroidery, and modern silhouettes. Beyond his design label, he expanded into cosmetics with Manish Malhotra Beauty, fine jewelry, and film production through his venture Stage 5 Production. In 2021, Reliance Retail's luxury arm acquired a 40% stake in his fashion house, marking a significant step in globalizing his brand. As a pioneer of the modern Indian fashion landscape, Malhotra remains a dominant force in both high-end couture and cinematic aesthetics.
Media
Person
AB
Ananya Birla
Indian singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur
Ananya Birla is an Indian singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. Born into the prominent Birla family, she is the eldest daughter of billionaire industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla. Rather than solely focusing on her family's conglomerate, the Aditya Birla Group, she has carved out a distinct path as both a successful musician and a pioneering businesswoman. She founded Svatantra Microfin at the age of 17, an organization that provides microfinance to women entrepreneurs in rural India. Svatantra has grown significantly, becoming one of the leading microfinance institutions in the country. In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Ananya is a prominent figure in the global music industry. She signed with Universal Music India in 2016 and released her debut single, Livin' the Life, which made her the first Indian artist to have an English single go platinum in India. She has since released multiple hit singles, collaborated with international artists, and performed at major music festivals. Ananya is also deeply committed to mental health advocacy. She co-founded Mpower, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about mental health and providing support services across India, working to dismantle the stigma associated with mental illness. Through her diverse achievements in business, music, and philanthropy, Ananya Birla represents a modern generation of multi-hyphenate leaders making a global impact.
Business
Person
PayPal
Online Payments Platform
American multinational financial technology company. Co-founded in 1998 by Peter Thiel, Max Levchin, Luke Nosek, and Elon Musk as X.com. Acquired by eBay in 2002 for $1.5 billion. Spun off as independent company in 2015.
Media
Organization
PK
Parupalli Kashyap
Indian Badminton Player and Coach
Parupalli Kashyap is an elite Indian badminton player and coach who created history by becoming the first Indian male shuttler to reach the quarterfinals of the men's singles event at the Olympic Games, achieving this landmark feat at the 2012 London Olympics. Born on September 8, 1986, in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, Kashyap's journey in badminton began at a young age. He trained rigorously under the legendary coach Pullela Gopichand at the Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad, which served as the launchpad for his highly successful international career. Kashyap has been a prominent figure in Indian badminton's modern golden era. Known for his aggressive playstyle, swift court movement, and exceptional resilience, he achieved a career-high world ranking of No. 6 in April 2013. One of the crowning achievements of his career came at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where he won the gold medal in the men's singles category. Prior to that, he had won a bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Indian sports, the Government of India honored him with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2012. Kashyap married fellow Indian badminton superstar and Olympic medalist Saina Nehwal in December 2018, forming one of India's most celebrated sporting couples. In his later career, Kashyap has seamlessly transitioned into coaching and mentoring, sharing his vast international experience to guide the next generation of badminton talent at national and international levels.
Sports
Person