‘…by Sanjeev Sanyal and Rajesh Singh is a fitting tribute to 75 iconic Indians, some lesser known, who have shaped modern India.’ —BIBEK DEBROY The India that we see today is the result of 75 years of effort by a large number of remarkable men and women spanning across different generations, geographies and fields of endeavour. Iconic Indians: 75 Extraordinary Individuals Who Inspired the Country celebrates 75 Indians who played an important role in transforming an impoverished former colony into an increasingly confident and rapidly growing nation. Chosen from diverse fields such as politics, sports, arts, defence, business, entertainment, science and environment, this collection of essays examines the personal journeys of these exceptional individuals, including not just their successes but also their self-doubt, failures and even their disagreements with each other. While many of them are household names, several are remarkable characters who made major contributions in their time but have faded from public memory. Through these narratives, the book simultaneously tells the wider story of how India traversed the first 75 years of Independence. An excellent primer on the stalwarts who have made the nation what it is today, this book is a must-read for every person interested in the past, present and future of India. About the Author Sanjeev Sanyal is an economist, urbanist and writer. His bestselling books include Land of the Seven Rivers, The Ocean of Churn and Life Over Two Beers. He attended Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University and then Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. In 2010, the World Economic Forum named him Young Global Leader. He currently lives in Delhi and serves as a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. He has a blackbelt in Taekwondo, and is a keen collector of old maps. Rajesh Singh has been a freelance analyst of politics, governance and public affairs and has contributed articles to well-known think tanks such as Vivekananda International Foundation and Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation, and to several media platforms in Delhi and Goa. He had a nine-year stint with The Pioneer, where he was first the deputy national bureau chief and later the opinion editor. He also served as media advisor to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in 2002–03. His previously published works include Baahubalis of Indian Politics: From Bullet to Ballot and Portraits of Hindutva: From Harappa to Ayodhya. He has also authored two fiction thrillers, The Viper and The K Conspiracy. He currently lives in Ghaziabad.