Who is the Greatest Indian after Mahatma Gandhi? This is the question asked by History TV18 and CNN IBN Â as part of their Contest.
The contestants include, First PM Jawahar Lal Nehru, Singer Lata Mangeshkar Founder of Indian Space Program, Vikram Sarabhai, Father of Delhi Metro, E- Sreedharan.
As many as 50 nominees across five categories – political leaders, arts and social leaders, movie related, entrepreneurs and idea leaders and sports and administrators, have been shortlisted for the initiative.
Based on British show “The Greatest Briton”, which has been adapted in 21 countries so far, the series, which went on air Monday, is set to trigger a debate on who is the greatest Indian after Mahatma Gandhi.
“I’m sure this series will trigger an enthusiastic debate in homes, offices and public places around the country,” Rajdeep Sardesai, editor-in-chief, IBN18 Network, said in a press statement.
According to Ajay Chacko of A+E Networks | TV18, the poll will help youth recognise the achievements of country’s key individuals.
“This partnership with CNN IBN enables HISTORY TV18 to bring forth the inspiring figures over the years, after the Mahatma, who have had the maximum impact on the country’s present and future.
“While the jury and nationwide polls will ultimately lead to the search for that one individual who’s contribution to India has been overwhelmingly acknowledged as the most enduring, it also gives us Indians a chance to be aware of the contributions of many other great individuals from diverse fields,” he said.
The jury for the entire process consists of a panel of 28 Indians from different walks of life. It includes names like Shashi Tharoor, Nandan Nilekani, Rajkumar Hirani, Soli Sorabjee, Shabana Azmi and Arun Jaitley among others.
Along with the nationwide poll, equal weightage will be given to the jury’s selection as well as a separate market research poll conducted by The Nielsen Company.
At first, a shortlist of the top 10 ‘Greats’ will be decided, followed by the selection of the ‘Greatest Indian’. The shortlist of top 10 ‘Greats’ is slated to be revealed July 1 and the second round of voting will begin soon after.
The initiative will culminate with the announcement of The Greatest Indian in a glittering ceremony to be telecast around Independence Day this year.
As part of the nationwide poll, viewers can cast their vote by visiting the website TheGreatestIndian.in or giving a missed call to a unique number assigned to their nominee of choice.
Here are the names of some leaders listed under each category:
Political leaders – Atal Bihari Vajpayee, B. R Ambedkar, Indira Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, APJ Abdul Kalam
Arts and social leaders: Baba Amte, Mother Teresa, Pt. Ravi Shankar, M. F. Husain, Bismillah Khan
Movie related: Amitabh Bachchan, Raj Kapoor, Rajinikanth, Satyajit Ray, Dev Anand, Mohammad Rafi
Entrepreneurs and idea leaders: Homi Bhabha, Dhirubhai Ambani, Ghanshyam Das Birla, J. R. D. Tata, Ramnath Goenka, Amartya Sen
Sports and administrators: Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Dhyan Chand, Viswanathan Anand, Milkha Singh
stuppid contest………..the real competition between mahatma gandhi and dr. b.r.ambedkar…………….
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i think this particular channel like this people any way thanx for not including narendra modi
if u r including amitabh bachan then why not mr.modi bcoz he has done so much good work for gujrat despite his name was coming in communal riots mr bachan bofors case forget
when ur saying after mahatma gandhi means firsty include dr,br ambedkar, sardar vallabhai patel,p j nehru, moulana azad,and please remove the name of raj kapoor who only loves to expose his actress on screen if u r ok with raj kapoor then include emraan hashmi also bcoz mass audience loves him to he also change the cinema of india ok rite.
where sania mirza stand? the only women tennis player in india who play the most hard game in world who brought name of india in world
In bollywood dilipkumar sahib is matchless as an actor,mohammed rafi and lata ji are best in singing…
stop this stuppid contest.how will u think who is top legends? u r go mad!!! stop this nonsense.
Kind request please include Mr.Gandhi name in this contest. India is the Largest Democary in the world and we indain strongly belive & have great faith in our Democary. How dare Histroy 18 India, IBN, outlook & Reliance has declared Mr.M.K.Gandhi as The Greatest Indain and what bases & studies they have concluded Mr.gandhi as Greatest Indian ? This conclusion and declaration is based on autoractic, dictator ,undemocratic & unconstitution manner. We oppose this manner of contest & challenge the organisor to include Mr.gandhi name in the list of The Greatest Indian Contest and let we indian decide & vote and elected the The Greatest Indian Contest and create true Indai’s History. This will reflect one of the great India Decmocary culture and ture tribute to The Father of Our Constitution and World Greatest Scholar Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkarji. Jai Bhim …Jai Bharat ….
In which basis History18 & IBN conclude that Mr.M.K.Gandhi is already has a Great Indian historian??? Because of if they gave it the name of Mr.M.K.Gandhi as nominees may be they fear that Mr.M.K.Gandhi can lose this competition because of great competitor like Mr.Dr.Ambedkar.
As per my opinion Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam should be after Mahatma Gandhi, who is known as father of Missiles. J.R.D. TATA also, who started the manufacturing from Needle to Aeroplane in India by the Name of TATA, even set-up steel plant also in India.
At least you must some names in the list also i.e. Ms. Kalpana Chawla, Fist Aerospace shuttle traveler.
No Challenge to DR. Bhimrao Ravji Ambedkar they not only fight for Humanity bt also for right of Comman People make a constitution Of India a word largest Republic County… they Did all this at that time when each and every situation is against them. because of them now we have many Opportunity in daily Life……
including abdul kalam in the list of greatest indian for our contest is totally misplaced.I can site atleast 10000 people in India who can be classified as the greatest Indian who would better qualify for the contest.One name could be of Anna Hazare, who even after some wrong moves has changed the way common man should act against corruption,at the highest places.
dadasaheb falkenpeksha amitabh bacchan ani raj kapoor not bigger
Naredra modiji kaha hai
unhone gujrat ko 10 saal me kaha pahucha diya hai
y bakwas contest he lal bahadur shastri j nominy kyo n he unk jaise bicharo or desh bhakt koi ni he
No one Indian B4 Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar(BABASAHEB OF INDIA), who had given rights to u all to mention ur openion publicaly.
There is no compatitor to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar…EVERY INDIAN IS AFTER THEM, AFTER HIS THOUGHTS, AFTER HIS KNOWLEDGE, AFTER HIS QUALIFICATION, AFTER HIS CONSTITUTION, AND EVEN AFTER HIS BLESSINGS FOR INDIA.
NO ONE CAN BECOME GREATEST INDIA B4 HIM.
SO, THINK ALL INDIA AND VOTE THE GREATEST INDIAN OF PAST, PRESENT AND FOREVER INDIA.
I am surprised to by the absence of any names from great leaders in our Defence forces who have led the nation to victories and set examples of excellent leadership contributing to national cause.
his will reflect one of the great India Decmocary culture and ture tribute to The Father of Our Constitution and World Greatest Scholar
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar(BABASAHEB OF INDIA),
babasaheb greatest indian before mohandas gandhi
sponsors fear gandhi’s loss in this contest so declared him greatest indian by their own, the motive was so funny ! anyways ! none other than Babasahab Ambedkar is the greatest indian ever ! he is the greatest scholar ever in the world !! no competition for him in india!
his will reflect one of the great India Decmocary culture and ture tribute to The Father of Our Constitution and World Greatest Scholar
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar(BABASAHEB)
some of you gonna mad, like afjal and kiran….
ya defenitly some great indians are not in this list like l b shastri, bhagat singh, ajaad, etc.
but dont say bad words about m k gandhi. he is greatest indian till the history, no doubt.. so that our country called him father of nation…
Ekch saheb ani te phkt amche srvanche babaseb thanch konashi he coamparision hou shkt nahi my voter for only Dr. Ambedkar.