E.Sreedharan

E.Sreedharan or The Metro Man as he is popularly called is credited with single-mindedly knocking down the many obstacles that bedeviled other large Indian projects. A Padma Shree awardee, Sreedharan, had taken over as the head of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation in 1997. Prior to that he had been associated with development of Konkan Railway.

At age 73, he plans to remain on the job for three more years to oversee completion of the next phase, leading towards what will be ultimately be a 180-km transportation marvel for India.

L.N.Mittal

It was on January 27, 2006 that Mittal Steel, the world’s biggest steel maker, announced a hostile takeover bid for Luxembourg- based Arcelor, also one of the largest steel companies.

London-based steel tycoon Lakshmi N. Mittal is fifth richest person globally as per the Forbes magazine's annual rich list. He has a net worth $23.5 billion.

Mittal’s $23 billion bid for Luxemburg-based rival steel manufacturer Arcelor is making international headlines. The takeover, if it goes through, will create a new behemoth with a near-10 percent share of global steel production and a market capitalization close to $40 billion. The new company would have almost 350,000 employees at 61 plants in 27 countries.

Mittal Steel is currently the biggest US supplier of high-grade, high-margin auto steel. Arcelor occupies the same position in Europe.

Angela Merkel

Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Angela Merkel has become Germany's first woman chancellor, despite only scraping a victory in the 18 September election.

1954: Born Hamburg
1978: Earned physics doctorate
1990: Joined CDU
1994: Takes environment job
2000: Becomes CDU leader

Sania Mirza (Tennis Player)

Tennis sensation of India, reached the career best world ranking 31 in women's tennis.

1986: Born Mumbai
2004: World ranking 206 in Women’s tennis
2005: Reaches 3 rd round in Australian Open
2005: Reaches 4 th round in U.S. Open
2005: Reached world ranking 31 in Women’s tennis

Mohamed ElBradei

United Nations nuclear watchdog, IAEA, chief Mohamed ElBaradei and his agency have won the Nobel Peace Prize 2005. He secured a third term at the helm of the agency after the US eventually agreed to back him, although relations between Washington and the IAEA have not been without tensions in recent years.

1942: Born Egypt
1964: Joined Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1980: Senior Fellow at UN’s Institute for Training and Research
1997: Director IAEA
2005: Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

With a highest one-day score of 183 not out, a strike rate of 103.62 and an average of 45.7, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is, without doubt, the find of the year for Indian cricket. In his fifth one-day game, he hit a superb 148 against Pakistan at Visakhapatnam. And then came that dream knock of 183 not out at Jaipur against Sri Lanka in November 2005. In the process of breaking Adam Gilchrist's record for the highest score by a wicketkeeper in a one-day, he won millions of hearts.

1981: Born Ranchi, Jharkhand
1999: Started first-class cricket career
2004: One Day International debut
2005: Scored 183 runs against Sri Lanka
2005: Test cricket debut against Sri Lanka

L.K. Advani

His landmark trip returning to Pakistan in June 2005 was seen as an attempt to reposition himself politically and cast off his hawk's clothing. And recently he abdicated the post of the President of BJP in favour of Rajnath Singh of U.P. Presently he is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

1929: Born Karanchi, Pakistan
1970: Elected to Rajya Sabha
1991: Appointed Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
1999: Appointed Home Minister
2005: Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha

K. Natwar Singh

K. Natwar Singh was removed from the post of Minister of External Affairs of India on November 7, 2005 (though retaining a cabinet role as minister without portfolio) following a controversy over his (and the Congress Party's) alleged involvement in the United Nations Iraqi Oil for Food scandal. Later he resigned from Council of Ministers. The Independent Inquiry Committee under Paul Volcker had reported on October 27, 2005 that he and his son Jagat Singh were non-contractual beneficiaries of the Oil for food programme.

1931: Born Rajasthan
1953: Joined Indian Foreign Service
1956: Indian ambassador to China
1984: Joined Congress Party
2002: Minister for External Minister
2005: Resigned as a Minister