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Powerful Personalities

Shri L.K. Advani: India’s Longest-Serving Minister

Indian political system has experienced many ups and downs with different leaders coming in and out. However, in making the nation best suitable for the people to live and express their freedom, some give pieces of advice whereas some leave a heavy stamp with their incredible skill of serving the nation. One such man who has crossed all boundaries to serve the Nation is the longest-serving minister in India. Let’s jump into the journey of Lal Krishna Advani.

Who is Lal Krishna Advani?

Lal Krishna Advani is an Indian politician who served in the Indian Goverment for decades under the guidance of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He is a man known for his leadership skills, the BJP (Bhartiya Janta Party ) Chief representative, Deputy Prime Minister, Right-wing Hindu nationalist volunteer organization, Home Minister (1995-2004), Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and understands time before time.

Served as the 7th Deputy Prime Minister of India (29 June 2002 – 22 May 2004), he is one of the co-founders of Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) and a member of the Rashtriya Swayamseva Sangh (RSS). He was also the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP during the 2009 general; election.

From Pakistan to India: A Journey of Serving Nation And Its People!

Lal Krishan Advani was born in Karachi, Pakistan and migrated to India during the Partition of India, settled and completed his college education in Bombay. He was the leader who was familiar with two languages only Sindi and English. He joined RSS at the age of fourteen (1941) and worked as a pracharak (preacher) in Rajasthan.

KickStart Their Political Career At the Age of Fourteen

Lal Krishan Adani joined politics at the age of fourteen. In 1951, he became a member of Bharatiya Jana Sangh (later merged into Bhartiya Janta Party) was founded by Syama Prasad Mookerjee. He performed various roles in his tenure including in charge of parliament affairs, general secretary, and President of the Delhi unit.

Advani was elected as the chairman of the first Delhi Metropolitan Council(1967-1970) while being a member of RSS. Moreover, 1970 was the year of change for him. He became a member of Rajya Sabha (1970-1989). He also became president of Jan Sangha(1973) and merging with the Bhartiya Janta Party in 1977 and victory in the elections, made Advani the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, and the leader in Rajya Sabha.

Advani’s Bold Move: Scaling the Heights of the Mountain with BJP

Advani was one of the founding members of the BJP along with Atal Bihari Vajpayee and served as the president of the party thrice. Elected as a member of Lok Sabha for the first time (1989), he served seven terms. However, his journey was not easy. In 1992, he was alleged to be part of Demolition of the Babri Masjid but because of lack of evidence, he was acquitted by the court.

Moreover, He was a major advocate for building a temple on the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya and played a key role in the rise of Hindutva politics in the late 1990s. He has held the position of Leader of Opposition in both houses of the Indian Parliament. He served as the Minister of Home Affairs from 1998 to 2004 and as the Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2004. He was a member of the Indian Parliament until 2019 and is credited with the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a major political party. In 2015, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour. In 2024, he was conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.

Retired From Politics But Still Known For His Superlative Leadership Qualities

 

  • Vision and Persistence:
    L.K. Advani co-founded the *Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)* and played a crucial role in shaping its vision provides a lesson that leaders require a clear vision and the persistence to work towards it, even in challenging times.
  • Cultural Nationalism:
    Advani believes Cultural Nationalism, connecting India’s heritage with contemporary politics showcases that leaders should understand and respect cultural roots while adapting to modern contexts.
  • Socio-Economic Progress:
    Throughout his career, Advani stressed that good governance, economic development, and national security showcase that leaders must balance economic growth with social welfare and security.
  • Navigating Controversies:
    Advani faced controversies, especially during the *Ram Janmabhoomi movement. He believes that leaders should handle controversies with grace, transparency, and a focus on the greater good.
  • Party Building:
    Advani’s leadership solidified the BJP’s position as a formidable political force.  It ensures that leaders should build strong organizations by nurturing talent, fostering unity, and staying committed.

LFP Plus by Dr Vivek Bindra

You can read this story in Hindi on our Hindi Business News. – लालकृष्ण आडवाणी जिनकी सोच ने बदला देश की राजनीति का रूप

 

 

 

 

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Powerful Personalities

3 Middle Class Business Leaders Who Changed The World

Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and late Steve Jobs- what do these names have in common besides being famous and at the top list of richest people in the world today?

Apart from their incredible business sense and passion to do something in their lives, one common thing is that they all hail from humble backgrounds. All of them are of middle-class origin, who courtesy to their ambition and aspirations have changed the world since the end of the last century, and to the present one.

If you have seen their biographies, you will notice that they all come from the American middle class or even from other countries. These people who define success on their terms are the product of “aspirations” that can`t be learned in any online business course.

But what does it reflect for young entrepreneurs who want to start their business, but hold back because of their social class?

It sends out a strong message to our youth that these business leaders who hail from made a mark in the world achieved success from their aspiration of a social class that does not enjoy the great privileges of luxuries. They overcome their vulnerabilities and have made a better life for themselves and their fellow men.

1. Jeff Bezos, Miami Middle Class

Jeff Bezos’s mother is Jacklyn Gise married Miguel Bezos- Jeff`s adoptive father, from whom received the surname. He completed his graduation in computer science engineering in 1986 from Princeton University. After his graduation, Jeff began working immediately in various companies of medium prestige.

His family was settled in Miami, Florida and when Jeff started his first business it was his parents who brought him his initial capital. His book sales company was installed in the garage of a house in Seattle. Nobody imagined that he was laying the foundation of today`s giant- Amazon.

And the rest is history. Jeff Bezos had a middle-class childhood and adolescence with high aspirations. Perhaps, he never imagined that one day with his positive mindset, he will become one of the richest men in the world.

If you too want to begin your startup, begin by making yourself equipped. Enroll yourself in an online business course and learn everything about the business world.

Watch his amazing journey here:

2. Bill Gates, Quality Education

Bill Gates spent his childhood and adolescent years in the city of Seattle. Gates’s father was a lawyer, while his mother was a teacher. The family income was modest through which his parents managed to provide him with a high-quality education.

In 1975, he founded a company called Microsoft, which over the years became one of the brands that changed the world. To know more about how being merely a student, he managed to establish a company, watch this brilliant case study on Bill Gates by Dr. Vivek Bindra, the best motivational speaker in India.  

Watch his amazing journey here:

3. Steve Jobs, the benchmark of Success

The late Steve Jobs is the benchmark of success derived from great aspirations. There is no one else in this world that can even come an inch closer to this title. Jobs during his living years and beyond is the overwhelming proof that the origins and your social class have nothing to do with your quench for triumph.

Steve Jobs’s biological parents gave him up for adoption to a classic middle-class American couple- Paul Jobs and Clara Hagopian. The adoptive father was a railroad engineer and his mother was a housewife. The couple raised him with great effort.

His corporate journey began in 1976 with the start of Apple which he began with his friend Steve Wozniak in a garage. Death cut his life short in 2011. But this legend utilized his living years to transform the way this world had known computers.

We will not recommend you to miss out on his inspirational journey! Watch it here:

These millionaires and billionaires come from humble backgrounds. With moral values, integrity, passion, and high aspirations they have changed the world forever for the better. They are moved by the desire to promote economic development and the benefit of their own and society.

To give your aspirations wings, you can take our Entrepreneurship Course through which you will gain in-depth knowledge about the distinct business dimensions.

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Powerful Personalities

7 Leadership Lessons Entrepreneurs Can Learn From M.S Dhoni For Success!

An outstanding batsman, an excellent wicket-keeper, and a powerful leader- Mahendra Singh Dhoni was one of the brilliant captains in Indian cricket history. He has developed an extraordinary reputation for being one of the greatest leaders that the game of cricket has ever seen.

Though he retired from Test Cricket in 2014, he still has a great influence over Indian and international cricket. Not just an extraordinary captain and leader, Dhoni also swiped many awards and holds several records including most wins by an Indian captain in Tests and One Day Internationals. He also has the most back-to-back wins by an Indian captain in ODIs.

India won the 2007 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20, the Commonwealth Bank Series of 2007–08, the 2010 Asia Cup, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy under his captaincy.

His list of achievements is so long that we can keep on writing and still some of them will be left behind. But there is one amazing trait of our former Indian captain that deserves special mention- his leadership skills.

M.S. Dhoni has an arsenal of leadership skills that entrepreneurs can certainly apply both personally and professionally. Here are seven incredible leadership traits that are a useful template for business captains too:

1. Being True to yourself & Confident

Confidence is the key to success and M.S Dhoni is the best example of that. Even though he comes from a very modest background, he never let this hold him back from achieving his dreams. On the field or off the field, Dhoni is always confident, forthright and often surprises his fans, audience, and media with his witty comments.

Staying true to yourself will not just carry you far in the sporting world, but also the corporate as well as the business world.

2. Handling Seniors & Managing Egos

Despite the presence of many senior players in the team, Dhoni was chosen as the captain of the Indian Cricket Team in 2007. It was a tricky situation that could have backfired had it not been handled wonderfully by Dhoni. After becoming the captain of the team, he did not rush to make changes to mark his stamp. Instead, he took his time about making changes and maintaining strategies that had been proven useful.

This is something that new entrepreneurs or managers can learn from Dhoni. In business, many managers or senior leaders have to contend with and manage the egos of various people in their team. However, patience is the key to win the hearts even of those with the iron ones. Some can also listen to leadership speakers in India to enhance this essential trait.

3. Staying Calm under Pressure

M.S. Dhoni has earned the title of “Captain Cool” due to his calm and composed demeanor on the field even during nail-biting moments. Even when severely tested, he manages to not lose his temper which used to influence the entire team to resist caving in. He kept inspiring the team like the best motivational speaker to perform at par no matter what the situation is.

This is one of the most crucial leadership skills for entrepreneurs to keep calm and not give up when the situation is not in their favor.

4. Handling Success

Dhoni well-received fame and money at a very early stage in his career. But he was and still is, humble and modest. He did not let the success get over his head while maintaining a steady path.

We often see that entrepreneurs who gain success too early often lose their focus and balance. They are unable to maintain the poise that is required for the business’s success in the long run.

5. Staying Focused

To remain focus on your goals amidst all the criticism is no child`s play. But Dhoni showcased his indomitable spirit of remaining focused on what is important during the Champions Trophy amidst the controversy that surrounded the Indian Premier League.

An ability to cut through the clutter, distraction, and negative energy is one of the best marks of a strong leader in every situation. If you want to become a powerful leader, you can hire one of the best leadership speakers in IndiaDr. Vivek Bindra.

6. Handling Failure

Handling failure is as important as handling success. And no one has ever done it better than the former Indian captain M.S Dhoni himself. In the 2011 World Cup, Dhoni and his team were performing spectacular but then suffered a string of losses. However, the captain cool fought back by showcasing a world-class game of cricket combined with his high spirits.

Ups and downs are part of an entrepreneurial journey. Businesses tend to suffer some degree of failure at some point or the other. But, if you want to be successful, you will have to have the courage and strength to bounce back without losing faith in your dreams.

7. Team Playing

Just like no cricket team can win a match without the contribution of its 11 players, no company or organization can succeed without the team’s efforts. Dhoni has always believed in encouraging and supporting his players at all times with his trust and confidence. This support from their captain has always inspired them to play like there is no tomorrow.

This is a golden trait of M.S Dhoni that makes him the most loved and respectable captain of all time. Entrepreneurs should feel safe to experiment and fail if they need to be. Managers must also come to terms with the fact that no organization or department can achieve its goals without their respective team members.

M.S Dhoni is known not only for his famous ‘helicopter shot’ and his excellent class of game but also for his unmatched leadership skills and team spirit. Young entrepreneurs can learn big lessons from him about how resilience and focus can help their businesses to grow.

To gain in-depth knowledge about building a startup from the scratch, join our Entrepreneurship course’.

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Business motivation Powerful Personalities

4 Business Leaders Who Bounced Back From Their Mistakes!

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.”  – Meg Cabot

One of the scariest things that almost every human being feels to do is to make mistakes, to take risks and meet failure, to try out of the league and fall hard. But mistakes are essential for professional as well as personal growth for both the individual and the organization.

We all make mistakes, every one of us. Making mistakes is a sign of business motivation, and that we are trying something new in your life. It is the pathway to great ideas and innovation. It is the best way to learn and grow. If you are not making mistakes, then we likely are not doing enough new things outside our comfort zone, and that itself is a blunder.

If you thought only common people like you and me are prone to making mistakes in the business, think again! Legends like Ratan Tata, Narayan Murthy, Satya Nadella, Steve Jobs, and many other successful millionaires have made mistakes and learned from them too!

Here are some mistakes that these leaders made, but learned from them to bounce back in their lives:

1. RATAN TATA

One of the most esteemed and respectable personality in the business world, Ratan Tata needs no introduction. The Chairman of Tata Trusts and former head of Tata Sons  has achieved great success with his incredible business ideologies and strategies. However, even he admitted his mistake when his ambitious project TATA NANO failed to create waves in the market.

According to him, his greatest mistake was branding the Nano car as the cheapest instead of ‘most affordable’, which was the true intention behind bringing it into the market. By using the word ‘cheapest’ instead of ‘most affordable’, a negative impact was created on the market.

You can watch the full story of what led to the failure of TATA Nano, right here to get some business motivation from this legendary industrialist.

2. SATYA NADELLA

Indian-born Satya Nadella made headlines when he replaced billionaire Steve Ballmer as Microsoft CEO in 2014. Before he replaced the former CEO, Nadella was Microsoft EVP of the cloud and enterprise group. Since he took over the charge, Microsoft`s stock has increased by more than 150%. However, this was not always been the case.

In July 2015, the Microsoft CEO acknowledged that thinking that the personal computer (PC) will reign supreme forever was his biggest mistake. Today, smartphones have overshadowed PC as the hub for everything to some extent.

He has steered Microsoft away from a failing mobile strategy of NOKIA, and focused on other segments, including cloud computing and augmented reality.

Watch the full story here:

3. ELON MUSK

Elon Musk, who is the founder, CEO, and Chief Engineer at Space X is also the CEO of Tesla Motors. A successful entrepreneur and a business magnate  has also made mistakes that he still regrets. While participating in a Q&A at South by Southwest, the Tesla CEO said that the biggest mistake that he committed in his entire career was not being more involved with Tesla in his initial days.

From 2004 to 2008, Elon Musk was a lead investor in Tesla. However, he was also the CEO of SpaceX, a space exploration company. Today, he has moved past his mistakes and regrets to run a successful million-dollar company.

Watch his inspiring journey, right here: 

4. WARREN BUFFETT

The year 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of Warren Buffett and his partner`s decision to take control of Berkshire Hathaway. However, the current CEO of Berkshire Hathaway once considered this to be the biggest investment mistake and called it a “monumentally stupid decision”. He said that the only reason behind him acquiring the company was because it was cheap.

Watch his amazing entrepreneurial journey, here: 

The majority of entrepreneurs and professionals are not particularly interested in making mistakes and reliving them. However, many self-made millionaires are masters at learning from their successes and failures. That is the only way to analyze what went right, and what didn’t work out for the business.

So, keep making new mistakes, but find reasons for their failures and ensure that you do not repeat them. That’s the key to success and gaining incredible experiences in the journey called LIFE.

Prepare yourself to counter the challenges that you might encounter on your entrepreneurial journey with our online business courses for entrepreneurs. You can take ‘Entrepreneurship Course’ and take the first step towards achieving your dreams.

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Powerful Personalities

7 Surprising Facts About Google CEO Sundar Pichai That Will Inspire You To Follow Your Dreams!

Sundar Pichai– a name that everybody reckons with is the Chief Executive Officer of Google Inc. With his poised demeanor, dedication towards his work, and his down-to-earth personality, he has become a global name for young entrepreneurs, who look up to him as an inspiration.

However, very few people are aware of his journey from a shy kid to the successful CEO of Google Inc.

Coming from a humble background, Sundar Pichai was born on 12th July 1972 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu India. His father was an electrical engineer and his mother was a stenographer. Sundar Pichai was a bright student since his early days that got him a seat in the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.

In a world that keeps evolving every second with technology; Sundar Pichai believes that young entrepreneurs must keep reinventing themselves. He believes that every entrepreneur must keep thinking about what should be the next best course of action and always deliver an out-of-box solution.

This Indian-American CEO of Alphabet Inc. has still not lost touch with his humble roots and has always emphasized staying positive in the face of adversities. Sundar Pichai is a man of high intellect and great personality. His success involved hard work, dedication, and passion that inspired him to keep working towards his goals. You Can also watch video on Sundar Pichai’s life here:

Here are some of the most amazing facts about Sundar Pichai that might surprise and inspire you at the same time:

  1. What Pichai controls in Google

Sundar Pichai assumed control over Google`s business segments including ads, search, maps, Android, YouTube, and the Google Play Store following the reorganization of Google/Alphabet Inc. He was the genius behind the Google`s browser- Chrome.

  1. Microsoft Invited Sundar Pichai in 2014

Did you know that Sundar Pichai received an invitation from Microsoft? Well, in 2014, the news was out that Sundar Pichai was invited by Microsoft to join the firm as the third CEO to the technology firm.

  1. He Walks to find Solutions

Sundar Pichai, who firmly believes in providing out-of-the-box solutions for every business challenge has the habit of taking a long walk when he needs to think of something extraordinary. Not only in his leisure time, but even during the meeting, he would prefer to take a walk during crucial moments only to come back with an innovative and creative solution.

  1. Humble Background

What makes Sundar Pichai more interesting? His humble personality! Sundar Pichai, who has a net worth of around $150 million today, started his early in a middle-class family. His father, who was an electrical engineer, had to save for three years to buy a scooter for his family.

  1. Keen Interest in Sports & Books

Not only in technology, but Sundar Pichai also has a keen interest in playing football and cricket. During his school time, he was the captain of his school cricket team.

  1. When Google negotiated to Retain him

The tech giant Google had to negotiate with Sundar Pichai to retain him when there were talks that Sundar Pichai might move to Microsoft. Google retained him for $50 million in a year in stocks. Despite being the Chief Executive Officer of Alphabet Inc, he took care of the day-to-day operations of Google from 2014.

  1. A Brilliant Diplomatic Leader

Sundar Pichai is highly soft-spoken, but when it comes to diplomatic skills, he is a brilliant master. In a bid to build a strategic alliance of Google with Samsung, Sundar Pichai assisted Larry Page and Nikesh Arora, Google CBO to South Korea. With his smart diplomatic skills, he yielded the desired results in build the bonds between the two successful firms.

In December 2019, Sundar Pichai was named CEO of Alphabet when Larry Page stepped down, making him the CEO of both Google and Alphabet. Sundar Pichai received an MS degree from Stanford University and obtained his MBA degree from Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

He worked at Applied Materials as an engineer formerly, and then at McKinsey & Company before his first job at Google.

Sundar Pichai is a real inspiration to young entrepreneurs who want to make name for them, by following their dreams with passion and dedication.

If you have an entrepreneurial dream, you can take our ‘Problem Solving Courses’ to gain in-depth knowledge about modern business tactics.

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4 Amazing Unheard Stories That Prove Sachin Tendulkar Is An Extraordinary Being!

No cricketer has ever walked on earth that has captured billions of hearts and minds, not only in his own country but in other countries and continents too. No sportsman has ever captivated the soul and spirit of a nation so strongly that people cried when he was given ‘out’ during a match.

The popularity that can even put Gods in a dilemma, no cricketer has set as many records and broken as many milestones as this ‘Little Master’, who is the living legend of Cricket.

Yes, we are talking about none other than the ‘master blaster- Sachin Tendulkar- a name that can certainly bring a smile to any sports lover. With hundreds of centuries in his bag, smashing every record in the book, Sachin isn’t just a cricketer. He is considered to be the “God of the Cricket”.

However, what makes him different from the rest of the popular players is his calm and composed demeanor.

Despite being adored all across the globe by his die-hard fans, he never let his roaring success get on his head. Sachin is a synonym of modesty, integrity, and humility.

And as he turns 48, today, we bring you stories from his life that will make you scream- “SACHIN…….SACHIN”….once again!

You can watch here:

  1. BORN TO LIFT THE WORLD CUP

Sachin started his cricket career at the young age of 16. It was on November 15, 1989, when he made his debut in international cricket. Though he has many world records under his kitty, his eyes were transfixed on the “World Cup”.

Despite being touted as one of the favorites for the ICC World Cup 2007, India couldn’t lift the trophy in West Indies. It was a terrible blow to hopes and came as a shock to the nation. The loss left Indian players along with the fans disheartened. Sachin Tendulkar was hurt so deeply that he didn’t leave his hotel room for two days and started thinking about retirement.

Later, he received a call from his batting hero Sir Vivian Richards who reassured him that such incidents are part of international cricket and that he should not quit as he has a lot of cricket in him.

That`s when he decided not to call it quits. India buried its demons when India lifted the World Cup trophy after four years in 2011, after defeating Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium.

  1. SACHIN TENDULKAR: THE MAN OF PRINCIPLES

When Sachin received his first “Man of the Match” award in 1990, he was given a champagne bottle. As he was 17 years old at that time, he was not eligible for the consumption of alcohol. Though the star player could have opened the bottle privately at his residence, he rather waited and followed the law.

He opened the bottle, eight years later on his daughter`s first birthday in 1998. He also kept the emptied bottle as a memento.

  1. NEVER ENDORSED TOBACCO OR ALCOHOL PRODUCTS

Where most national and international players had ‘Four Square’ or ‘Wills’ on their bats, Tendulkar decided not to promote brands that are associated with alcohol or tobacco. Sachin Tendulkar`s father has told him to always be a role model as a lot of people follow him.  Despite getting multiple offers in 1990, he never endorsed any alcohol or tobacco products.

  1. REMAINED DOWN-TO-EARTH

During India`s tour of Australia in 2007, Sachin hired an Indian Taxi. After some time, it started raining heavily. The taxi driver gave Sachin his jacket to keep him protected. Sachin was so touched by the generosity of the driver that he decided to do something in return for him.

Later on, he gifted the driver a brand new designer jacket, and one team jersey signed by the players of the Indian cricket team. Along with that he also presented him with match passes.

Sachin Tendulkar is a name that resonates with the game of cricket. He is admired by many great players for his sheer genius on the cricket pitch, and humble nature. He ended his 200-match career in white-ball cricket and has 15,921 runs in his name.

Tendulkar had played 200 Test matches during his illustrious cricket career. No other cricketer has played more than 168 (Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh).

Tendulkar is the first-ever batsman to score a double century in ODI format and bid adieu to international cricket in 2013, leaving billions of his fans with moist eyes, and choked throats.

 

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News Powerful Personalities

9 Interesting Facts About Sachin You Didn’t Know!

On November 16, 2013, when the batting legend Sachin Tendulkar decided to bid adieu from the game; he is regarded as the ‘God’ of, millions of eyes shed tears of joy and sorrow at the same time.

While Sachin Tendulkar delivered his last speech with choked words and moist eyes; tens of thousands of his fans stood in the Wankhede stadium holding their breaths as the euphoria of catching the last glimpse of their favorite Indian cricketer on his home ground surmounted.

India, where cricket is the religion, and the stadiums scream of the infamous “Sachin….Sachin”, it would be considered a sin to not know this man who has made fans across the globe go breathless with his beautiful strokes, timeless elegance, calm demeanor on the field and his relentless dedication to the game.

Yes, we are talking about Sachin Tendulkar- the God of Cricket. And if you want to watch hand-picked stories that are unseen and unheard of, watch them here:

An unparalleled career that was further glorified with grand records created and broken by the ‘Little Master’ has been an inspiration for many national and international sportspersons who dare to dream.

Bringing some of the most untouched aspects from his life, we are going to tell you 9 interesting facts that we bet you probably did not know:

  1. Sachin Tendulkar is considered to be the best batsman, to date. But did you know that he wanted to become a fast bowler? However, when he went to the MRF Pace Foundation, Australian legend Dennis Lillee asked him to focus on his batting instead.
  2. Sachin Tendulkar bats and bowls from his right hand. But he writes from his left hand. This makes this legend ambidextrous too.
  3. Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed by Australian pacer Brett Lee for a record 14 times. This is the highest by any bowler.
  4. Sachin`s first car was a Maruti-800, and you know what, he still owns it.
  5. In 1987, during Pakistan`s tour of India, Sachin was sent in as a substitute fielder when Abdul Qadir and Javed Miandad went during lunchtime.

Remembering this incident, Sachin writes in his book “Playing it My Way”, “I don’t know whether Imran Khan remembers this or has any idea that I once fielded for his Pakistan team”.

  1. Sachin Tendulkar was the first international batsman who was given out by the third umpire, Jonty Rhodes in 1992 against South Africa.
  2. Tendulkar`s coach Ramakant Achrekar used to give him a Re 1 coin whenever he completed his entire practice session without getting dismissed. To date, this cricket legend has kept the collection of 13 coins with him.
  3. In Manchester, 1990, for his maiden Test ton, Sachin was awarded a bottle of champagne. But as the British rules didn’t allow people under 18 to drink, he waited for 8 year and opened the bottle on his daughter Sara`s first birthday in 1998.
  4. Sachin Tendulkar is the only Indian cricketer who has received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, and Padma Shri by the Indian government.

So what do you think, did you know the God of cricket as well as you thought you did? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Powerful Personalities

3 Exclusive Stories of Ajit Doval we bet you didn’t know Before!

Ajit Doval, the fifth National Security Advisor of India, who is also popularly known as the “James Bond of India” is in the headlines, once again. Twitter campaign #BharatRatnaforAjitDoval to confer the highest civilian award to Mr. Ajit Doval which was initiated by Dr. Vivek Bindra, an internationally acclaimed business motivational coach, Founder, and CEO of Bada Business has garnered support from millions of Indians.

Mr. Ajit Doval has a firm hand in shaping India`s foreign policy and strategic responses to the national and international crisis. And, it will not be an overstatement to call his approach the “Doval doctrine”. Mr. Ajit Doval, who was awarded the Kirti Chakra for his meritorious services, does not hesitate to roll up his sleeves and get into action, whenever our country has faced any challenges.

Here are few interesting stories that earned him the title of James Bond of India”:

  1. Delayed Pakistan`s Nuclear Test

After India conducted its first successful Nuclear Test in Pokharan on September 7, 1972, under the leadership of then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pakistan too wanted to go ahead with their Nuclear Test with the help of China and France.

However, when France realized that Pakistan wants to conduct Nuclear Test, not for a technological purpose, but for nuclear weapons it decided not to support Pakistan. The Pakistani scientist Mr. Abdul Qadeer Khan went to North Korea to ask for help.

The ongoing developments in Pakistan concerning their Nuclear Test grabbed the spotlight across the globe. The Indian Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi formed a committee of RAW and Intelligence Bureau to keep an eye on Pakistan`s ill-intentions.

Mr. Ajit Doval was selected to lead the committee of Intelligence Bureau and was sent to Kahuta- a place in Pakistan, as an undercover agent to collect the information. Khan Research Centre in Kahuta was the nuclear base of Pakistan where all the research associated with the test was taking place.

He spent seven years in Pakistan disguised as a beggar to gather the information. He started tracking every scientist who was visiting the nuclear base, frequently. However, despite all his efforts, he was unable to track and identify the ones who were working on the nuclear project.

He came to know from his own studies that if any person who is works on a nuclear weapon, his body absorbs the radiations. And if he can get the sample of skin, hair, or nail from that person he can find out about the scientists who were working on the nuclear test.

He then disguised as a beggar and started sitting outside the barbershop where all the scientists were going to get a haircut to collect the samples. He used the collected information to build a diplomatic strategy that delayed the Nuclear Test of Pakistan by 15 years.

  1. Helped to End Insurgency in Mizoram without lifting any arms

The stories of Mr. Ajit Doval`s courage are endless. One such story of where he showcased his excellent diplomatic skills is of Mizoram. In 1986, Mizoram was held to ransom by the Mizo National Front army and its leader Laldenga. As a mid-level IB officer in the northeast, Mr. Ajit Doval was appointed to tackle the insurgency.

He infiltrated the underground Mizo National Front, weaned away as many as 6 core commanders from the group, and disintegrated the party, forcing its leader Laldenga to sue for peace. The Mizo Accord of July 1986- post 20 years of insurgency—was the result of Indian hero Doval`s initiative.

  1. United Sikkim with India with his smart approach

Very few people are aware of this story as it hardly gets a mention anywhere. On 16th May 1975 Sikkim officially became a part of India. This might sound like a simple fact based out of history, but the journey was not that easy. When India was struggling to make Sikkim as one of its states, it was Mr. Ajit Doval`s effective and powerful strategy that turned that dream into reality.

The then King of Sikkim married an American girl. However, the girl was working as a CIA agent, and India was frustrated with the decisions that were taken by America. Also, the increasing American dominance over Sikkim was a matter of immediate consideration for India. Hence, Mr. Ajit Doval was once again given the responsibility to get India out of the crisis.

Doval came to Sikkim and started interacting with the locals. He also managed to get the support of one regional leader of the Sikkim National Party. Later, when elections were held by the national assembly, more than 97 percent of the electorate voted for the merger of Sikkim with India.

Ajit Doval is a highly decorated IPS officer of Kerala Cadre. Currently, he is heading the National Security Council of India. He has dealt with the country`s most crucial and complex domestic and international challenges that threatened India`s security and sovereignty.

There are so many interesting and exciting stories related to his life that are still unheard of.

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Powerful Personalities

9 Lesser Known Facts about Ajit Doval the ‘James Bond of India’ that will make you feel Proud of this Indian Hero!

There are many unsung heroes of India that do not get enough credit for their unmatched contribution, extreme dedication, and undeterred determination towards their country. They hustle in the silence, win so many inside battles to keep our country safe from its enemies.

One such Indian hero, who is also popularly known as the “James Bond of India” is Ajit Doval.

Ajit Doval, who is the fifth and the current National Security Advisor (NSA) to the Prime Minister of India, is a retired Indian Police Services (IPS) officer of the Kerala cadre. He is a former Indian intelligence and law enforcement officer.

He is also the youngest police office of India to be awarded the Kirti Chakra Meritorious Service -a gallantry award for military personnel.

Born in Uttarakhand in 1945, Doval began his police career in 1968 as an IPS officer. During his period of service, he was actively involved in the counter-insurgency operations in Mizoram and Punjab.

Though most of us have been fascinated by the magnetic onscreen James Band for all our lives, the “James bond of India” is real and is considered one of the best spies in India`s history.

And, being the best spy is no easy deal. There are so many unheard stories and real-life facts related to his life that will blow your brains.

Watch never-heard-before facts and stories from his life here:

Here are some of the most amazing facts filled with real-life thrill and excitement to give you a dose of adrenaline rush:

  1. Ajit Doval played a crucial role as one of the three negotiators in the release of passengers from the hijacked Indian plane IC-814 in Kandhar in 1999.
  2. He has spent seven years as an undercover operative in Pakistan. During that time he gathered all the confidential information on active militant groups.
  3. Ajit Doval also worked as a secret agent for 12 months. After this brief stint, he worked at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad for six years.
  4. Operation Blue Star’ that was conducted in 1984 to choke the Khalistani insurgency is another instance where Doval showcased his excellence by gathering crucial intelligence for the operation.
  5. In 1990, Ajit Doval went to Kashmir, where he convinced hardcore militants and troops to become anti-insurgents. This way he cleared the way for the J&K elections in 1996.
  6. On June 25, 2014, Doval went on a top-secret mission to Iraq as 46 Indian nurses were trapped in a hospital in Tikrit. He went to Iraq to understand the position on the ground and made high-level connections in the Iraq government to ensure the release of all the Indian nurses who were brought back to India on July 5, 2015.
  7. Indian Surgical strike that took place in September 2016 and the Balakot Airstrike in February 2019 were conducted under the supervision of Ajit Doval.
  8. He also helped to end the Doklam stand-off and took decisive measures to manage the insurgency in the Northeast.
  9. In 2019, he was appointed as National Security Advisor for the next five years and was given a Cabinet rank in the second term of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government.

Today, India`s defense policy is more polished, more pronounced, sharper, swifter, and powerful because of Ajit Doval`s strategic vision.

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Powerful Personalities

International Women’s Day 2021: 5 Famous Success Quotes From Women Entrepreneurs Across the World That Will Inspire You

International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 every year around the world. The day holds great importance as it is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights. The special day is commemorated with a wide range of events. The theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is “Choose To Challenge”. The day, sponsored by the United Nations since 1975, celebrates women’s achievements and aims to further their rights. The day was trending as #ChooseToChallenge  and #IWD2021 on Twitter. The day celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

On the special occasion of International Women’s Day 2021, take a look at 5 Motivational Quotes by Women Entrepreneurs across the world.

  1. “When you look at successful women, they have other women who have supported them, and they’ve gotten to where they are because of those women”- Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook CEO, Author
  2. “The challenge of a leader is looking around the corner..and making the change before it’s too late to make the change”- Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo
  3. “Without an open-minded mind, you can never be a great success”- Martha Stewart, American retail businesswoman, writer,
  4. “I really believe that entrepreneurship is about being able to face failure, manage failure and succeed after failing”, Kiran Majumdar Shaw, founder of Biocon Ltd
  5. “On my own I will just create, and if it works, it works, and if it doesn’t, I’ll create something else. I don’t have any limitations on what I think I could do or be.” – Oprah Winfrey, Talk Show Hostess, Producer, Philanthropist

“A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day. We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world. From challenge comes change, so let’s all choose to challenge”, the IWD said on its website.