Sabeer Bhatia
Sabeer Bhatia was born in India in 1969. Sabeer Bhatia is one of the poster boys of Indian success story at Silicon Valley. He is better known as the man who co-founded Hotmail. He later sold it to Microsoft for $400 million and today Hotmail is the world’s largest e-mail provider, with over 50 million registered users. Bhatia’s success has earned him widespread acclaim. Launched blogeveywhere.com with co-founders Shiraz Kanga and Viraf Zack . His latest passion is to build a new city in Haryana, India called Nano city which aims to replicate the vibrance and eco-system of innovation found in Silicon Valley.
Birth of a computer wizard
Sabeer Bhatia was born in Chandigarh in the year 1969. He comes from a humble background. His father was an army officer and his mother worked with the Central Bank of India.He grew up in Bangalore and had his early education at Bishops Cotton’s School in Pune, then St. Joseph’s College in Bangalore. For a short-time he was a student at the Birla Institute of Technology (BITS), Pilani and in 1988 he went to US on a Cal Tech Transfer scholarship to get a bachelor’s degree at the California Institute of Technology. He earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University. At Stanford, he worked on Ultra Low Power VLSI Design.
It was at Stanford, that he was bitten by the "entrepreneurship" bug. He attended many a brown bag lunch to hear entrepreneurs such as Steve Jobs and Scott McNealy. These lunches inspired him to become one himself.
Professional Life
After graduation, Sabeer briefly worked for Apple Computers as a hardware engineer and Firepower Systems Inc. While working there he was amazed at the fact that he could access any software on the internet via a web browser. His success graph took off exponentially when he, along with his colleague Jack Smith, set up Hotmail on 4th July 1996. Today, Hotmail remains the world’s largest e-mail provider with over 50 million registered users. On December 30th, 1997, they sold Hotmail to Microsoft for a reported sum of $400M. Sabeer Bhatia worked for Microsoft for a year until March of 1999, and then in the middle of 1999 he founded Arzoo.com
Arzoo.com was supposed to be a real-time marketplace for technology related solutions and support. It was envisaged as a platform that would enable engineers, developers and scientists from around the world to monetise their expertise on the one hand, and enable corporations to improve the productivity of their employees on the other. Sabeer Bhatia’s vision was to make Arzoo.com, the world’s largest human network of intellectual capital. But Arzoo.com failed with the burst of dot-com bubble. In 2006 Sabeer Bhatia relaunched Arzoo as a travel portal. Sabeer Bhatia has also started a new venture called BlogEverywhere, http://www.blogeverywhere.com with co-founders Shiraz Kanga and Viraf Zack.
Latest Project : Bhatia planning to build a new city in Haryana, India called Nano city at http://www.nanocity.in . Sabeer Bhatia’s Nano City will consist of both residential and commercial buildings, with high-rise buildings occupying most of the residential space. The project of building Nano City will be a joint venture between Bhatia and the state government of Haryana,
Awards
1. "Entrepreneur of the Year," Awarded by the venture capital firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson (1997)
2. Named to the "Elite 100," Upside magazine’s list of top trendsetters in the New Economy
3. Recipient of the "TR100" award, presented by MIT to 100 young innovators who are expected to have the greatest impact on technology in the next few years
4. Selected by the San Jose Mercury News and POV magazine as one of the ten most successful entrepreneurs of (1998)
5. Named by TIME as one of the "People to Watch" in International Business (2002)
A young man only with a few dollars in his wallet when he left India created software history. By all odds, Sabeer Bhatia is an icon for the young and aspiring software professionals.
Latest - Sabeer Bhatia plans to build an 11,000-acre development called Nano City in the north India state of Haryana.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Date Of Birth: November 1st, 1973
Aishwarya Rai was born on November 1st 1973 in Mangalore in Karnataka state. She was model and awarded the Miss World Title in the year 1994. Her native languages are Tulu and Kannada. She did her schooling in Arya Vidhya Mandir in Mumbai and later college from Ruparel College again in Mumbai. She was doing her studies in architecture She can speak Hindi, Marathi, English. Aishwarya Rai also contested for the Miss India pageant, but she lost to Sushmitha Sen in the year 1994. She has acted in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and English Movies. She is still not married but hopefully we can hear a news very soon. She is a very glamorous personality with a height of 5 "7.
Family Matters
Aishwarya Rai’s father was a marine engineer, Krishnaraj Rai, mother a writer, Vrinda Rai and Aditya Rai, who is three years elder to her and is working in the merchant Navy.
Aishwarya’s Film Career
As soon as she bagged the Miss World title she stated getting offers from the Indian Film Industry. She started her Film career with a Tamil Film Directed by Mani Rathnam called Irruvar. Mohanlal the famous Malayalam Super Star was paired with her for Irruvar. Her first Hindi Movie was "Aur Pyar Ho Gaya", directed by Rahul Rawail which was a real flop. Her first box-office hit was Jeans, directed by Tamil Director, Shankar and produced by KT Kujumon. This movie was done in Tamil and Hindi too. Later on she was flooded with movies and done lots of hits. She has bagged many awards and recognitions.
In 2003, Rai was a member of the jury at Cannes. In 2004, she was chosen by TIME Magazine’s Asian Edition as one of Asia’s "100 Most Influential People." She was the subject of a 60 Minutes profile on January 2, 2005 - "The Most Beautiful Face in the World." A month later she appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, and on April 25, 2005, she was featured on Oprah’s "Women Across the Globe" segment. A wax figure of Rai is on display in London’s Madame Tussaud’s wax museum.
In the past, Indian actors and actresses were celebrities in South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, but mostly unknown to the rest of the world. Aishwarya is one of the few Indian actresses to have attempted to step into Western territory. Although frequently the subject of gossip column speculation about an imminent Hollywood career, it was only in 2004 that Rai finally acted in a foreign film, when British director Gurinder Chadha hired her to play the heroine in Bride and Prejudice, a Hollywood-funded but Bollywood influenced version of Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride and Prejudice.
Her next overseas venture, Mistress of Spices, from the novel by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and directed by Berges, was released in the U.K. in April 2006 but turned out to be a flop everywhere.
Her recent release is Dhoom 2, a sequel to the 2004 hit Dhoom in which she plays a villain for the first time since Khakee. The film released on November 24 2006 and has been extremely successful so far.
Looking into her personal life, she had some affairs with Salman Khan, Vivek Oberoi and now its Abishek Bachchan son of Amithabh Bachchan.
Awards and Recognitions
- 1998, Star Screen Award Most Promising Newcomer - Female, Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya
- 2000, Star Screen Award Best Actress, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
- 2000, Zee Cine Award Best Actor- Female, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
- 2000, Zee Cine Award Lux Face of the Year, Taal & Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
- 2000, Filmfare Award Best Actress, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
- 2000, IIFA Award Best Actress, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
- 2003, Star Screen Award Jodi No. 1, with co-star Shahrukh Khan for the film Devdas
- 2003, Star Screen Award Best Actress, Devdas
- 2003, Zee Cine Award Best Actor- Female, Devdas
- 2003, Filmfare Award Best Actress, Devdas
- 2003, IIFA Award Best Actress, Devdas
Aishwarya Rai is now Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, got married to Abishek Bachchan, son of Amithabh Bachchan
Surya Sivakumar
Surya Sivakumar, popularly known as Surya, is a popular actor in the Tamil film industry. He is the son of veteran Tamil actor Sivakumar and is married to Jyothika, a popular Tamil actress. He made his debut in Vasanth’s " Nerukku Ner". Surya’s Blockbuster movies are Nandha, Kaaka Kaaka, and Ghajini. He had an unsual role in Pithamagan, Ayutha Ezhuthu, Gajini, Mayavi and Perazhagan. He has won FilmFare Best Actor Award in 2003 and 2004. Surya is also the brand ambassador for various large brands like Himani Navratna Oil, Emami Fair & Handsome, Pepsi, TVS and Sunfeast Biscuits.
Family Matters
Surya Sivakumar was born as Saravanan on 23 rd July 1975 in Coimbatore . He is the eldest son of veteran Tamil actor Siva Kumar. He is the eldest son in the family with one younger brother actor Karthi and younger sister Brindha. He has one younger brother, Karthik and younger sister, Brindha.
Surya got married to actress Jyothika on September 11 2006. His father is the Tamil actor Sivakumar. He is the eldest son in the family with one younger brother actor Karthi and younger sister Brindha. He married actress Jyothika on September 11, 2006. They are expecting their first child to be born in August.
Hobbies
A down to earth actor who has a passion for driving car and his hobbies include watching movies, listening to music and reading. Other interests learning stunts dance, working out at the Gym and playing the flute.
Academics
Surya did his schooling in PSBB Chennai. Surya completed his commerce graduation from Loyola College Chennai. He worked as an executive in a garment factory in Ambattur, Chennai. A notable point is Vijay, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Karthik Raja (both Ilayaraaja’s sons), Jeevan, Vishnuvardhan and Surya were all class mates during their studies.
Professional Career
Surya made his debut in”Nerrukku Ner: (1997) with Vijay. He breezed in as the charming boy next door in that movie. “Nerrukuk Ner” , directed by Vasanth was a big hit, but for a couple of years, his films came and went without a trace.His success began with the movie Poovellam Kettuppar in 1999. His “Friends” was an average hit.
Director Bala turned Surya into the memorable “Nandha”. It was one of Surya’s best films. This film gave way to him for a successful film career. The film grossed Rs.50 lakhs at the box office.Surya’s next venture was with Vikraman in the movie Unnai Ninathu and the movie was able to record good collections. This was followed by Mounam Pesiyadhe which also did decently well. Surya’s second blockbuster was Kaaka Kaaka, a movie about the life of a police officer. The film grossed almost Rs.100 million at the box office. Also Pithamagan alongside Vikram was a big hit, Surya was appreciated for being a very different character.
In the movie Perazhagan, Surya acted in two roles, one as a boxer and the other as a handicapped, but a confident phone booth keeper. His role as the handicapped was praised by critics, and he received a Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performance. His role in Aayitha Ezhuthu as a student leader was also favoured by the critics. His movie Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikkalam was dropped due to financial problems.
In 2005, Surya delivered more successful films in the form of Aaru and Ghajini - afterwards he set up a production company called Studio Green which distributed the movie in the Chennai district. Ghajini was one of the most sensational hits of 2005, with Surya playing a short term memory loss patient, for which he even tonsured his head. The film was his third blockbuster and grossed over Rs.200 million at the box office.
Surya’s 2006 hit was N. Krishna’s Sillunu Oru Kaadhal. He acted opposite his real-life partner Jyothika in the film. The movie released on September 8 2006. The movie was an average grosser.Surya has signed up to Vaaranam Aayiram directed by Gautham Menon and Vel directed by Hari kumar .
Surya is also the brand ambassador for large brands like Himani Navratna Oil, Emami Fair & Handsome, Pepsi, TVS and Sunfeast Biscuits.
Surya and his wife Jyothika starred in a one minute film on autism for an organization called We CAN. This film is directed by Jayendra Panchapakesan which was screened in all the theatres in Tamil Nadu by Real Image Media Technologies.
Personal
Surya is a star son with a difference. Though his father was a respected actor in Tamil films, Surya had no home banner to launch him, no production unit or friendly filmmakers to back him when the going got rough. But Surya has managed to stand on his own feet.
Awards
- 2005 Kalaimamani Award
- 2004 &2003 Filmfare Best Actor Award
Some Facts about Surya
• Both Surya and Jyothika have been in love since 2003 after the super hit film Kaaka Kaaka.
• His Original name is Saravanan.
• His huge hit Ghajini is being remade in hindi, it stars Aamir Khan and Asin Thottumkal.
• Describes himself as “I do not like to hurt anyone’s feelings. I like to help everyone. “
• He is known for trying out off beat roles in different films.
• Favourite music director Ilayaraja
• Favourite food: Dosa, curd rice, Prawn
• Favourite artistes : Kamal Hasan and Revathy
• Best friend in cine industry: Vikram
Filmography
• 2007 Vel (Filming)
• 2007 Vaaranam Aayiram (Filming)
• 2006 Sillunu Oru Kaadhal (Dubbed into Telugu as Nuvvu Nenu Prema)
• 2006 June R (Dubbed into Telugu as June 7)
• 2005 Aaru (Dubbed into Telugu as Aaru)
• 2005 Ghajini (Dubbed into Telugu as Ghazini, Remake in Hindi is being made with Aamir Khan as lead)
• 2005 Mayavi (Dubbed into Telugu as Kidnap)
• 2004 Aayitha Ezhuthu (Dubbed into Telugu as Yuva. Been remade in Hindi as Yuva also.)
• 2004 Perazhagan (Dubbed into Telugu as Sundarangudu)
• 2003 Pithamagan (Dubbed into Telugu as Sivaputhrudu)
• 2003 Kaaka Kaaka
• 2002 Mounam Pesiyadhe (Dubbed into Telugu as Kanchu)
• 2002 Shree (Dubbed into Telugu as Surya Putrudu)
• 2002 Unnai Ninaithu
• 2001 Nandha (Dubbed into Telugu as Akrosam)
• 2001 Friends (Dubbed into Telugu as Deviputrulu)
• 2000 Uyirile Kalanthathu (Dubbed into Telugu as Poratam)
• 1999 Poovellam Kettuppar
• 1999 Periyanna
• 1998 Sandhippoma
• 1998 Kaadhale Nimmadhi
• 1997 Nerrukku Ner
Surya has carved a niche for himself as a fine actor, capable of doing different kinds of roles without worrying about the risk factor. He had always been keen on doing challenging roles. From Nerrukkuner to Nandha to Kaaka Kaaaka to Ghajini, Surya has earned his characters a place in the viewers’ mind.
Ravi Shastri
Date Of Birth: May 27,1962
Ravi Shastri is a all-round cricket player for India. His all-round abilities with the bat and the ball made him the main stay of the Indian cricket team in the 1980’s. Ravi Shastri was born on May 27, 1962 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. His complete name is Ravishankar Jayadritha Shastri. He was mainly a opening batsman and a show left arm orthodox bowler for India. Early in his carrier he was purely a bowler. But his batting ability took him from down 10th place to opening batsman.
In 1985, in the World Championship of cricket in Australia, Ravi Shastri was awarded as the man of the series for his 182 runs and 8 wickets. He was named the ‘ Champion of Champions ‘ for his consistent performance. He hit six sixes in an over in a domestic match equaling Garry Sober’s record.
Ravi Shastri captained Indian in one Test match. He has 100% record as captain as India won that match. In the domestic circuit, he played for Mumbai and led them to the Ranji Trophy title. He played the County cricket for Glamorgan.
Ravi Shastri’s father, Jayadratha is a doctor. He studied in Don Bosco school in Matunga. He graduated in commerce from R.A. Podar college. He was then the youngest player to be selected to play for Bombay at 17 years and 292 days.
In 1980-81, Ravi Shastri made his international Test debut against the New Zealand in the 1st Test at Basin Reserve, Wellington. He took 3 wickets in four balls in the second innings. He took seven wickets in the third Test and was awarded the man of the match. He overall took 15 wickets in the series which was the highest for both the sides.
Ravi Shastri had a good debut Test series against New Zealand. In the following months, he was promoted from the tenth position to the opening batsman. In 1982, Shartri opened the innings for India against England. He scored 66 runs patiently in the match. He scored his first century against Pakistan in the final Test at Karachi. He scored his second century against the mighty West Indies in Antigua.
In 1981-82, Ravi Shastri made his ODI debut against England at Sardar Vallabhai Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad. In the 1983 India’s World Cup triumph, Shastri played fewer matches.
In India’s tour of Pakistan in 1984, Shastri scored 102 against Australia. In December, he scored another century against England at Cuttack. In the Test match against England in Bombay, Shastri along with Syed kirmani recorded a seventh wicket partnership of 235 runs. Shastri made 111 runs in the third Test against England at Calcutta.
In 1986-87, Shastri scored 62 and 48 not out against visiting Australians in the tied Test at Bombay. In the home Test series against Pakistan, Shastri scored 125 runs at Jaipur. In the One-day series, he scored 50 runs and took 3 wickets in the first match. He captured 4 wickets at Calcutta and scored 69 not out against Pakistan at Hyderabd. He scored 52 runs in just 40 deliveries at Nagpur. Shastri had a marvelous One-day series and was awarded the man of the series.
In the away Test series against West Indies in 1989, Shastri scored a commendable 107 not out against the likes of Ian Bishop, Curtly Ambrose, Malcolm Marshall and Courtney Walsh on a difficult pitch. This was undoubtedly the best innings Shastri played.
In 1990, Shastri scored two splendid centuries against England in the away series. He scored 100 at lords in the first. In the Oval Test, he scored 187 runs against the England’s formidable bowling line-up. In 1991, Ravi Shastri scored his fourth century of 101 not out against South Africa in an ODI match at Delhi. Ravi Shastri scored his only double century of 207 runs against Australia in the away series in 1991.
In September 1994, Ravi Shastri retired from all forms of cricket. Post retirement, Shastri he become a leading commentator for ESPN-Star sports channel. In 2007, Ravi Shastri was made the Manager of the Indian cricket team for the Bangladesh tour. Shastri played 80 Tests for India scoring 3830 runs at a decent average of 35.79 and taking 151 wickets. He scored 3108 runs at an average of 29.04 and 129 wickets from 150 One-day Internationals.
In August 20, 2005, joining hands in a unique partnership with UNICEF, Ravi Shastri who is a Good will Ambassador for UNICEF India, met with a group of orphaned and vulnerable children from a local children’s home in Durban, South Africa to learn about some of the children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Awards
- 1984 - Arjuna Award by the Indian Government
Meera Jasmine
Date of Birth :15 February, 1984
Meera Jasmine, talented actress with a beautiful smile, is one of the hottest stars in South Indian Films. She started her film career from a Malayalam movie ‘Sootradhaaran’ directed by Lohithadas. Though the film flopped, her subsequent films showcased her talents as an actress. Meera was snapped up by prestigious film makers all over the South. Her debut film in Tamil is Run which became the the biggest commercial success of the year and in Kannada her first film is Gudumba Shankar. She is a successful actress in Telugu Film Industry too. She won India’s National Film Award for Best Actress in 2004 for her role in 2003 Malayalam film Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilaapam.
Family Matters
Jasmine Mary Joseph was born on 15 February, 1984 to Joseph Philip and Aleyamma in Kuttappuzha, Tiruvalla, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India. She is a Syrian Christian by birth.She has two sisters and two brothers. She currently lives in Panampilly Nagar in Kochi.She did her schooling in Mar Thoma Residential School in Tiruvalla.
Starting of Film career
It was destiny that brought Jasmine Mary Joseph from a small town called Kuttapuzha in Tiruvalla to the world of cinema. She was just an ordinary girl who wanted to study and become a doctor. She never entertained dreams of becoming a film star. She did not even consider herself beautiful or attractive. But that was not what director Lohitadas thought when he saw her.
Jasmine Mary Joseph had gone to see the shooting of a film along with a group of school friends. The only reason they went was because the shoot was taking place in their small town. As she watched the lights and the stars, the director noticed the girl and felt that there was something special about her. When he asked her whether she would be interested in acting as the heroine in his next films, she was shell-shocked. Thus Jasmine Mary Joseph became Meera Jasmine.
Professional Career
Meera Jasmine made her debut in Lohithadas’s Sossthradharan in 2001. Her hero in the film was Dileep. Soothradharan did not do well at the box office. However, she continued to receive offers from Malayalam and Tamil film-makers, including the 2002 Tamil films Run and Bala.
Run, directed by Lingusamy, became a huge hit in Tamil Nadu and Meera Jasmine became a sought-after actress.Though the films that followed Run did not fare as well, she was noticed by none other than Mani Ratnam who also felt there was something special in her. The ace director offered her a role opposite Madhavan in Aayutha Ezhuthu. Suddenly filmmakers started looking at Meera Jasmine with a lot more respect. As the film had sync sound, Meera, who did not know Tamil at all, worked hard on her diction, and delivered all her dialogues herself
She entered Telugu cinema in 2004 with Ammayi Bagundi and Gudumba Shankar. She also entered Kannada cinema in 2004 with the film Mourya, in which she co-starred with Puneet Rajkumar. Her latest Kannada film, Arrasu, was also a success.
After making her entry into all four South Indian languages, she has acted concurrently in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films. Her successful movies include Achuvinte Amma (Malayalam), Bhadra (Telugu), Swapnakoodu ( Malayalam) Perumazhakaalma( Malyalam) and Rasatantram (Malayalam). Her 2005 Tamil film Sandakozhi completed 200 days at the box office.
Even as she continued acting in all the South Indian languages, all of them commercial ventures, Meera decided to act as Shahina in T V Chandran’s Paatham Onnu Oru Vilaapam. The film is about a young Muslim schoolgirl who is married off to a man who already has a wife. Meera Jasmine’s mind-blowing performance in the film won her theNational Film Award for Best Actress in 2004
Her 2007 movie Vinodayathra(Malayalam) is a huge hit. Being one of the most promising new faces of Malayalam cinema, it is only too likely that the new century would prove fruitful to Meera and bag her more roles - both meaningful and commercially successful ones. Today she is the highest-paid actress in the Malayalam film industry.
Controversy : She has filed a complaint with the Ernakulam Women Police DIG Shrilekha stating that her parents and sister possess all the money and property that she had made in films. She has sought police help to retrieve them.
Despite being a Christian by birth, Meera Jasmine is known for visiting Hindu temples.
Awards
Filmfare Award For Best Female Debut Actress - Run
Dinakaran Award For Best Female Debut Actress - Run
• Lux - Asianet Film Award for Best Actress -Kasthoorimann
• Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Padam Onnu: Oru Vilaapam
• Mathrubhumi - Medimix Award for Best Actress - Padam Onnu: Oru Vilapam
• Lux- Asianet Film Award for Best Actress - Padam Onnu: Oru Vilaapam
• 2004 State Film Award for the Best Actress - Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilapam
• 2004 National Film Award for Best Actress - Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilapam
• Vanitha-Chandrika Film Award For Best Actress - Perumazhakalam
• Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Achuvinte Amma
• Lux - Asianet Film Award for Best Actress - Achuvinte Amma
Filmography
Tamil Films
• 2007 Nepali (filming)
• 2007 Parattai Engira
• 2007 Thirumagan Ayyakka
• 2006 Mercury Pookkal
• 2005 Sandakozhi
• 2004 Kasthuri Maan
• 2004 Aayitha Ezhuthu’
• 2004 Joot
• 2003 Anjaneya
• 2003 Pudhiya Geethai
• 2002 Bala
• 2002 Run
Malayalam Films
• 2007 Calcutta News (Announced)
• 2007 Ore Kadal (filming)
• 2007 Vinodayathra
• 2007 Rathri Mazha
• 2006 Rasathanthram
• 2005 Achuvinte Amma
• 2004 Perumazhakkalam
• 2003 Chakram
• 2003 Padam Onnu Oru Vilapam
• 2003 Swapnakoodu
• 2003 Kasthoorimaan
• 2003 Gramaphone
• 2001 Soothradharan
Telugu Films
• 2007 Yamagola Malli Modalayindi (Filming)
• 2006 Maharadhi
• 2006 Raraju
• 2005 Bhadra
• 2004 Gudumba Shankar
• 2004 Ammayi Bagundi
Kannda Films
• 2006 Arasu
• 2004 Maurya
FACTS ABOUT MEERA
• Nickname: Jas
• She is a self-confessed fan of Tamil cinema’s composer Ilayaraaja.
• Considers director Ambazhathil Karanakuran Lohithadas to be her mentor.
• Was ‘discovered’ while a first year student working on her Home Science degree. She had gone to see the shooting of a film along with some school friends that was taking place in their small town, when Lohithadas noticed her and asked her to star in one of his films.
• Has starred in hit movies in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.
Meera Jasmine became a force to be reckoned with and she was assured a place in the hearts of not only the youth but the whole of south Indian cinema-goers.
Sania Mirza - The Indian Tennis Sensation
Date Of Birth: November 15, 1986
Sania Mirza is the tennis icon of India. She created history by becoming the first ever Indian to break in to the top-50 WTA rankings. In the WTA ratings, Sania is ranked 27th in the singles and 20th in the doubles as on August 27, 2007.
Sania Mirza was born on November 15, 1986 in Mumbai, Maharastra and currently stays in Hyderabad. Sania Mirza started playing tennis at an early age of six. Sania Mirza father’s name is Imran Mirza. He is also her coach. Sania Mirza mother’s name is Nasima Mirza. Sania’s mother travels along with her. Sania has a younger sister by name Anam Mirza.
Sania Mirza is the first Indian woman to enter the fourth round of the U.S.Open Grandslam in 2005. In 2007 U.S.Open, she became the first Indian woman to be seeded in a Grandslam (26). Sania beat Alyona Bondarenko of Ukraine in the 2005 Hyderabad Open Finals to become the first Indian woman to win a WTA singles title.
In 2003, Sania Mirza turned professional. Sania Mirza made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a Junior Grandslam title. She won the 2003 ‘ Wimbledon Championship Girls Doubles’ title pairing with Alisa Kleybanova. In 2004, Sania won the Hyderabad Open Doubles title with Liezel Huber to become the youngest Indian to win a WTA or ATP tour title. In 2005 Australian Open Grandslam, Sania became the first Indian to reach the 3rd round. In 2005 Dubai Tennis Championships, Sania beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 6-2 who is a Top-10 ranked player. This improved Sania Mirza WTA rankings. 2005 was a good year for Sania as she broke in to the Top-50 WTA ranking by beating 8th ranked Nadia Petrova in the Acura Classic Championship.
Sania Mirza was voted the ‘ Best Player of the Day ‘ on the third day of the 2005 U.S.Open Championships when she beat Marion Bartoli of France 7-6(4), 6-4 to enter the fourth round. Sania became the first Indian woman to enter the fourth round of a Grandslam.
In the 2006 Qatar Asian Games, Sania won the Silver medal in the singles Championship. Sania paired with Leander Paes to win the mixed doubles Gold medal.
Sania Mirza is an excellent doubles player. Sania paired with Liezel Huber to win the 2006 Bangalore Open. Sania’s chemistry with Liezel Huber worked well as they won the 2006 Sunfeast Kolkata Open.
2006 has been a good year for Sania Mirza. Sania beat three Top-10 players. Sania defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova, Nadia Petrova and former World number One Martina Hingis.
Sania Mirza paired with Bethanie Matlek to win the 2007 Western & Southern Financial Group Women’s Open. They beat Alina Jidkova and Tatiana Poutchek 7-6, 7-5. Sania reached the semifinals in singles in the Championship. This boosted her ranking up. Sania lost the final to Anna Chakvetadze 2-6, 3-6 in the Bank of the West Classic. Sania paired with Shahar Peer to win the doubles title. Sania defeated her idol and former World number One Martina Hingis for the second time 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 in the second round of the 2007 East West Bank Classic. Sania paired with Mara Santangelo to win the 2007 Pilot Pen tennis doubles title.
Sania Mirza was the first Indian woman to be seeded (26) in the 2007 U.S.Open Championships. Sania lost to Anna Chakvetadze in the third round. Sania paired with her Indian partner Mahesh Bhupathi to reach the quater finals in the mixed doubles. Sania paired with Bethanie Mattek to reach the quarter finals in the womans doubles Championships.
Sania Mirza became a huge tennis star back home in India. Sania is famous for her fashion sence, style and looks. Sania is famous for wearing T-shirts with quotes. Sania has a huge fan following and formely called as the ‘ Indian Tennis Goddess’. Sania was signed by popular companies to endorse their products. Sania won a career prize money of US$801,561.
Awards
- 2006 - Padma Shri award by the Indian Government
- 2004 - Arjuna award by the Indian Government.
Virender Sehwag - The Nawab of Najafgarh
Date Of Birth: October 20,1978
Virender Sehwag or ‘Veeru’ as he is popularly known is a exceptionally talented cricket batsman from India. He has the gift of timing the cricket ball who can take away the game from the opposition in a span of few overs. He scored 309 runs against Pakistan in Multan to record the highest Test score by an Indian. In 2005, Sehwag was described as the most exciting opener in the World by Wisden Cricketer’s Almanack.
Virender Sehwag was born on October 20, 1978, in Najafgarh, Delhi, India. His parents are Krishna Sehwag and Krishna kumari Sehwag. He has two elder sisters Manju and Anju. He also has a younger brother Vinod Sehwag. He studied in Arora Vidya School, Delhi. He is married to Arti Alhawat in 2004.
On 1 April, 1999, Virender Sehwag made his ODI debut against Pakistan at the C A Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh. He scored 5153 runs in 175 one-day international matches at an average of 31. 61.
Virender Sehwag made his Test debut against South Africa at Good Year Park, Bloemfontein on November 3, 2001. He scored 4155 runs in 52 Test matches at an impressive average of 49.46. Virender Sehwag is a useful off-break bowler as well. He captured 90 wickets in both forms of the game.
In 1997, Virender Sehwag made his domestic debut for Delhi Ranji cricket team. In 2000, Sehwag played for the U-19 Indian team that toured South Africa. His domination in the domestic season helped him to play for his country. In 1999, Sehwag made his ODI debut against Pakistan in the home series at Mohali. In 2001, in the home ODI series against Australia in Bangalore, Sehwag scored a brilliant 58 runs in just 54 balls and took three wickets with his off-breaks.
In 2001, Virender Sehwag scored his maiden ODI century in just 69 deliveries against New Zealand in Sri Lanka. He was awarded with the man of the match award for his swashbuckling innings. In 2002, Sehwag hit the second fastest half-century by an Indian in just 22 deliveries in Bloefontein against Kenya.
In 2001, Sehwag made his International Test debut against South Africa at Bloemfontein. Sehwag scored his maiden Test century of 105 runs against South Africa in his debut Test match. He scored his second Test century against England at Trent Bridge in 2002. In the home series against West Indies in 2002, Sehwag scored his third Test century of 147 runs in Mumbai. In 2003, in the away Test series against Australia, he scored 195 runs at Melbourne.
Virender Sehwag is an aggressive and talented cricket batsman. The opening combination of Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar is a great asset for Indian cricket team. Sehwag scored 426 runs at an impressive average of 42.6 with four brilliant half-centuries in the away series against England in 2002. His good form continued in the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka. He scored his second century of 126 runs against England and 58 runs against South Africa. He contributed with the ball by picking 3/25 in the semifinal match to help India to reach the Final. Sehwag scored his third century of 114 runs in just 82 deliveries in the home series against West Indies in RajKot.
In 2003 Cricket World Cup, Sehwag scored 82 runs in the Final against Australia. India lost the match. He scored 130 runs against New Zealand in Hyderabad which was his fourth ODI century. In 2007 World Cup, Sehwag scored 114 runs in just 87 deliveries against Bermuda at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad.
In 2004, Virender Sehwag scored 309 runs against Pakistan in the first Test match in Multan. He is the first Indian player to score a triple century. He scored 164 runs against South Africa in Kanpur.
In 2006, in the away Test series against West Indies, Sehwag scored 180 runs and captured 4 wickets in the second Test match in St.Lucia. He was awarded the Man of the Match.
Sehwag is selected to play in the Twenty 20 World Cup in South Africa. India beat Pakistan in the Final to clinch the inaugural Twenty 20 World Cup.