Makers&Breakers of Modern India

I bought this book at New Delhi Airport thinking that the book would be a typical anniversary book but the content of the book proved me wrong.The cover title  " Makers & Breakers of Modern India", intrigued me and i started reading the cover story first.Wow.. so many new things i learnt about India.

The Seven Makers and Breakers of Modern India chosen by the IndiaToday were

1.Mahatma Gandhi-1940s
 I have read Gandhi's "My Experiment With Truth", which was eye opener for me.Bit hard to digest when i read that book almost 12 years before, but when i read some months back i realized how truthful Gandhi was.The article " The Brave Law of Love" written by Stanley Wolpert discuss Gandhi's values,nicely written and very interesting.The article starts with Gandhi's quotation " The World is sick of the law of the jungle" and explores Gandhi's life and struggle.
Some interesting facts:
*Gandhi slept with Abha, the 16 year old wife of his grand nephew Kanu to perfect his celibate state.
*In 1942 during the Quit India movement Gandhi read "My Valley" by Richard Llewellyn.
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2.Jawaharlal Nehru-1950s
I regret that i neither read Nehru's biography nor his own writings so far.The article  "I Wrote My Will Across the Sky in Stars" written by director of India Today M J Akbar is a good start know about Nehru , the man and the politician.
Interesting fact:
*Joe Nehru was his nickname during his schooldays in England
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3.Indian Soldier-1960s
 Amarinder Singh's "Men of Valour" about Indian Soldiers was awesome piece.Touches Indo-Pak and Indo-China wars and the different officers's deeds.He says "What the Indian jawan looks for is leadership.His motivation is always his honour and his paltan ki izat.If you lead, they will follow".
Some interesting facts:
*India is the world's single purchaser of military equipments.
*1.3 million Indian Soldiers served in WWI and 2.58 million in WWII.
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4.Indira Gandhi-1970s
 "India's Daughter" by Ashok Mitra was a good introduction to Indira Gandhi's life.Half of the article explains the role played by Parameshwar Narayan Haskar ,Indira's secretory,who helped Indira in all crucial decisions.Avery interesting read.
Some interesting facts:
*Indira was called ugly and stupid by her aunt Vijayalakshmi Pandit.
*Katherine Frank in hier book "Indira" says Indira failed at Oxford's Somerville College and dropped out at the age of 22.
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5.Bhindranwale-1980s
 Im very sad to admit that i have never heard of Bhindranwale!The article "The Suicidal Missionary" by Chandan Mitra was an eye-opener for me about Punjab's violent 80's.
Interesting fact:
*He never learnt English but was a great orator in Punjabi.
Click here for more info

6.Atal Bihari Vajpayee-1990s
I did know something about Vajpayee, my neighbors used to say "Right man in a wrong party". Exceptionally talented leader,bold enough to give permission for nuclear test. His effort to bring peace with Pakistan is well known. The article " The Right Humanist" by Sudheendra Kulkarni is a wonderful piece about Vajpayee.
Interesting facts:
*Only parliamentarian to be elected from four states(UP,MP,Gujarat and Delhi)
*His term as prime minister in 1996 lasted only 13 days.
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7.The Terrorist-2000s

"The Grave New World" by Brue Riedel is a good article and gives the current problem we are facing.
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Apart from the above 7 , I knew there will be makers and breakers in each and every state: in case of Tamil Nadu.. i can think of only makers not breakers(??!!) and im not good at old politics , here they are
1)Periyar
2)Anna
3)Kamaraj
4)MGR
5)Rajinikanth
6)Ilaiyaraja
7)Viswanathan Anand

Honorable mention : Sahayam IPS(Madurai District Collector) for proving that with honesty we can work in Indian Public Service and of inspiration to thousands of youngsters, hope he will continue to remain honest.
May be i can put  "Auto" Shanker in breakers list(??!!).