This Article is From Dec 15, 2013

25 Greatest Global Living Indians


Dec 14, 2013 20:09 (IST)
And that's a wrap.
Dec 14, 2013 20:09 (IST)
One stage, 25 Living Legends. Count them


Dec 14, 2013 20:06 (IST)

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Dec 14, 2013 20:04 (IST)

Dec 14, 2013 20:01 (IST)

Dec 14, 2013 19:59 (IST)

Dec 14, 2013 19:59 (IST)

Dec 14, 2013 19:58 (IST)

Dec 14, 2013 19:52 (IST)
In the audience, Nita Ambani beams as husband Mukesh is named a Living Legend


Dec 14, 2013 19:42 (IST)
Zubin Mehta and Sachin Tendulkar shake hands, watched by Ratan Tata, Y K Hamied and A R Rahman


Dec 14, 2013 19:40 (IST)
A jadu ki jhappi between Amitabh Bachchan and Leander Paes, as Rajini Sir looks on benevolently


Dec 14, 2013 19:38 (IST)
Framed by Amitabh Bachchan and A R Rahman, Rajinikanth hugs Shah Rukh Khan. 


Dec 14, 2013 19:28 (IST)
Zubin Mehta: The Maestro who enchants audiences everywhere. Spellbound by this Living Legend.

"Without hard work, dedication, honesty, none of us would be here."



Dec 14, 2013 19:25 (IST)
Y K Hamied: For asserting affordable drugs are a basic human right. A patented Living Legend.

"The cornerstone of success is education. If India is to keep pace with the 21st century, education is key. India must also create opportunities where we can put our knowledge to use."


Dec 14, 2013 19:22 (IST)
Waheeda Rahman: Beauty, Grace and Inexhaustible Charisma. An indisputable Living Legend

Waheeda Rehman's three lessons to the youth:

  • We are citizens of the world, we are made of the same fabric as the rest of humanity

  • Count your blessings and be grateful for the little things

  • What matters the most in life is good health and a good night's sleep. But take risks and don't fear failure




Dec 14, 2013 19:15 (IST)
Vikram Seth: The storyteller who made India capture the world's imagination. An Eminently Suitable Living Legend.

Vikram Seth, to the youth:
  • Intolerance is violence and accepted intolerance is violence with the acquiescence of society. There's no point of wrapping yourself up in the colours of the flag if you don't realize the flag has more than one colour in it
  • Be yourself because really there is no one else you can be
  • I advise you for your next life, choose your parents well because they make you who you are


Dec 14, 2013 19:13 (IST)
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan: He has endowed science with crucial details of DNA. From every sequence, this consequence: a Living Legend

Venkatraman Ramakrishnan's three lessons:

  • Pursue your interests and keep your options open when there are setbacks.

  • None of us do anything by ourselves. Even these great cricket stars you've met today have had great chances and mentors.

  • Just as people have helped us along, once we've reached a certain stage it's our job to help others


Dec 14, 2013 19:08 (IST)
Shah Rukh Khan: Kashmir se Kanyakumari tak India's favourite joyride. An unstoppable Living Legend.

He was forbidden to do a Lungi Dance (!!), Shah Rukh Khan has three messages:
  1. Have to be grateful to the Almighty, parents, teachers and everyone who works for us and with us to make us what we become
  2. Don't try to be someone else. There will always be someone taller, better looking, with better six packs. But be yourself because everyone else is taken.
  3. This was told to me by someone who's very tall and has a baritone voice(everybody laughs and looks at Amitabh Bachchan): Before you enter a public space, make sure your zip is not undone.




Dec 14, 2013 19:07 (IST)
S H Raza: The Teacher. The Master. The Living Legend.


Dec 14, 2013 19:04 (IST)
S S Badrinath: Not just free eyecare, uncompromising state-of-the-art attention. The determined vision of a Living Legend.

"This honour belongs to an institution so let me thank you on behalf of Shankar Netralaya. People are looking for affordable and good quality health care. India has a great future. Let youngsters realise that they have something very important to do for their country."


Dec 14, 2013 19:02 (IST)
In the audience, a smiling Anjali Tendulkar


Dec 14, 2013 19:00 (IST)
Sachin Tendulkar: He is the God of Cricket. He is a Living Legend

"My grandmother told me health is wealth, take care of your health. When today I look at the young generation, they are so into video games on mobile phones which unfortunately exercises your thumbs, I would urge them to play some sport. It is about fitness and good health which will allow you to concentrate longer, focus harder on whatever you want to do in life. The most important thing I learnt from my sport is that when you face defeat, you rise to another challenge. Dreams come true if you chase them hard"



Dec 14, 2013 18:58 (IST)
Ratan Tata: One of India's flagship groups is built on his code of ethics. From Nano to Jaguar, the drive of a Living Legend.

"I've been fortunate to see the country transition from a controlled economy to an open one and I'm happy to have been part of this growth. I believe this country is a nation that we can be proud of."


Dec 14, 2013 18:56 (IST)
Rajinikanth: Full-throttle star power meets immaculate humility. A blockbuster Living Legend

"Miracles do happen. See an ordinary bus conductor sharing the dais with the greatest living legends is a miracle. I dedicate this award to my brother, my guru Balachander and the Tamil people."




Dec 14, 2013 18:53 (IST)
N R Narayana Murthy, India's Chief Mentor. Philanthropist. Living Legend.

N R Narayana Murthy's three lessons to the next generation:
  • Courage is the most important attribute off a great leader
  • Create an environment of fairness and justice, openness to new ideas
  • Leaders will have to be trustworthy first before becoming high performers


Dec 14, 2013 18:49 (IST)
Mukesh Ambani, the pivotal force behind a global business masterpiece. Often called The Chairman. Now, a Living Legend.

Mukesh Ambani's three learnings to the next generation:

  • Dream big. If you focus on the goal, you will overcome obstacles

  • There is no substitute for hard work

  • It is very important to be positive and optimistic. Dismiss the prophets of doom, believe in yourself and believe in India

Dec 14, 2013 18:46 (IST)
M S Swaminathan. His Green Revolution fed a hungry India and came to the rescue of millions of farmers. A miracle-grower‎, a Living Legend.

M S Swaminathan cites Pandit Nehru's Tryst With Destiny speech in his thank you.

He says: "The future belongs to nations with grains and not guns, because guns you can purchase but grains, you cannot."


Dec 14, 2013 18:43 (IST)
Leander Paes. Game, set, match and this title: Living Legend.

"It's amazing what can be achieved with a little bit of hard work. I'm very proud to be an Indian today."

Leander also thanks his father Dr Vece Paes for being his guide and mentor. His father is in the audience, wiping away tears.


Dec 14, 2013 18:42 (IST)
Kapil Dev is our next Living Legend. The Hurricane from Haryana who home-delivered the World Cup. Every bit an all-rounder Living Legend.

"For all the youngsters in the country, if you don't have a dream you won't reach anywhere."


Dec 14, 2013 18:39 (IST)
Our next Living Legend, Indra Nooyi. Known for the outstanding company she keeps. The brilliant management of a Living Legend.

Indra Nooyi's three lessons for the next generation:

  1. Be a lifelong student

  2. Whatever you do, throw yourself into it

  3. Help others rise
Dec 14, 2013 18:37 (IST)
Hariprasad Chaurasia, our next Living Legend. He turns an ordinary moment into the sublime. The sweeping scales of a Living Legend.

"I have been struggling since I was five years old. I want to tell the younger generation that if you respect your parents, God will be with you."


Dec 14, 2013 18:36 (IST)
Fali Nariman, a Living Legend. Tireless protector of our rights and liberties. Unarguably, a Living Legend.

"I'm afraid that someone outside of here may name 25 others and he may well be right. If I have achieved anything, the lady I have been married to for 59 years is responsible."


Dec 14, 2013 18:33 (IST)
Our next Living Legend: SEWA founder Ela Bhatt. For empowering women in villages with jobs, visibility and dignity. In every right, a Living Legend.

Her three messages for the next generation:
  1. We need to recognise that there is no justification for poverty in this world
  2. Diversity is the key to life. Our world is richer when cultures and sub-cultures flourish
  3. Anubandh - correlation is the key to existence


Dec 14, 2013 18:30 (IST)
C N R Rao, our next Living Legend. The secrets of Science dissolve for him. From his lab and experiments, this common reaction: a Living Legend

"There are many ways to celebrate 25 years but this way is unique"

Dec 14, 2013 18:28 (IST)
Our next Living Legend, A R Rahman. His music is India's soundtrack. Always composed, our Living Legend.

"I am deeply humbled, an extremely elite group here. I want to thank my state Tamil Nadu for encouraging me so much, my mother, my spiritual teachers, my school teachers."


Dec 14, 2013 18:26 (IST)
Anish Kapoor, a Living Legend. He reshapes and resizes us. The mark of a Living Legend


Dec 14, 2013 18:25 (IST)
Amitabh Bachchan's three pieces of advice to the next generation:

  1. "Man ka ho toh achha, na ho to zyaada achha." These were the words Big B was told by his father, and it means that if things are not happening according to your will then they are happening to divine will
  2. Never allow critics to get you down
  3. Never a borrower, and when you lend make sure you'll never get it back
Dec 14, 2013 18:23 (IST)
Amitabh Bachchan is a Living Legend. After six decades, still India's leading man. Then, now, always a Living Legend.

"I feel very humbled, very privileged to be here today."


Dec 14, 2013 18:23 (IST)
Jaya Bachchan, that's a big smile


Dec 14, 2013 18:22 (IST)
Amartya Sen is a Living Legend. For placing development at the heart of democracy, society and policy. An intellectual giant, a Living Legend.

"It's much nicer to hear wise things being said by others than have to say them yourself."


Dec 14, 2013 18:20 (IST)
Prannoy Roy: The 25 Living Legends are all here tonight. Just by accepting our invitation, they have given us the most important thing - their trust


Dec 14, 2013 18:15 (IST)
Prannoy Roy:

  • When we started India's first 24 hour news channel 15 years ago, you trusted us
  • When we started 'The World This week', we were novices...but you put your trust in us.
  • When we started 'The World This Week', the only Indian channel to report on international news like China opening up and the break up of the USSR, we were novices but you trusted us.
  • Politicians are becoming better looking because of being on TV, they are better groomed. (Farooq Abdullah seen nodding and smiling)
Dec 14, 2013 18:14 (IST)
BJP leader L K Advani shakes Vikram Chandra's hand


Dec 14, 2013 18:11 (IST)
Everyone rises for the national anthem


Dec 14, 2013 18:11 (IST)
President Pranab Mukherjee's cavalcade draws up. Just moments away from meeting the 25 Living Legends now


Dec 14, 2013 18:04 (IST)
The South Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the 25 Living Legends met President Pranab Mukherjee for tea


Dec 14, 2013 18:03 (IST)
Behind-the-scenes: Nita Ambani, lovely in a glittering outfit, and Ranbaxy brothers Shivinder and Malvinder Singh with NDTV's Vikram Chandra



Dec 14, 2013 18:03 (IST)
Abdullah & son: Farooq and Omar Abdullah chat behind the scenes


Dec 14, 2013 17:29 (IST)
Actor Rajinikanth's wife waits for the event to begin


Dec 14, 2013 17:27 (IST)
Behind the scenes: Final round of audio and tech checks are being conducted in the control room
Dec 14, 2013 17:26 (IST)
Half hour to go for the ceremony, the auditorium at the Rashtrapari Bhavan is filling up


Dec 14, 2013 17:26 (IST)
Sachin Tendulkar's wife, Anjali, has grabbed her seat early


Dec 14, 2013 17:18 (IST)
Behind the scenes: The NDTV crew is all set for the big show.


Dec 14, 2013 17:11 (IST)
The stage is all set for the '25 Greatest Living Indians' ceremony.


Dec 14, 2013 17:01 (IST)
Guests start arriving at the Rashtrapati Bhawan for the '25 Greatest Living Indians' ceremony. Sachin Tendulkar and Shah Rukh Khan are among the early entrants.
Dec 14, 2013 16:58 (IST)

Dec 14, 2013 16:54 (IST)
At 6 pm, meet the 25 greatest living global Indians.
Dec 14, 2013 16:53 (IST)

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