Name:J Bhaskaran
Email:jbhaski@hotmail.com
Nomination:Kamal Haasan
Reason why:1. For getting the National award for the third time.

2. For managing to bring her majesty Queen Elizabeth II to witness his shooting of Marudanaayagam, and saying patriotic dialogues before her, which in reality was not possible for 'real' freedom fighters like Veerpandiya Kattabomman!

3.For contributing to quality Indian cinema -- trying to reach international standards.

Name:Sai Battina
Email:battsp@hotmail.com
Nomination:K R Narayanan
Reason why:For showing spine.

Name:Raghbendra Jha
Email:rjha@igidr.ac.in
Nomination:Sunderlal Bahuguna
Reason why:In these days of crass commercialism, here is someone who has stood for some eternal values of India. He has linked the fight for the protection of the environment in India with India's spiritual heritage, in much the same manner that the Mahatma had linked the fight for India's Independence with her spiritual past.

Name:Manish Khanna
Email:hospsys@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in
Nomination:The common man who sleeps on the street at night
Reason why:He/she has to bear poverty, suffering, hunger without knowing whether the government falls, or changes or anything. Corruption, crime etc still go on, and the common man still sleeps it out. He/she is not going to see a better India or future. His/her future is the streets. He/she is the Indian of the year.

Name:Nishoo Khanna
Email:manish.khanna@holidayinn.sprintrpg.ems.vsnl.net.in
Nomination:The common man/woman Reason why:They bear the brunt of everything wrong India today has to offer. They suffer poverty, hunger, homlessness; while the politicians, enjoy every privilege, this common person deserves. Scams, controversies do not affect the accused, they go scot free. Instead the common man becomes poorer, hungrier, and further out on the street. India is not being fair to them. They deserve the award.

Name:K Seshan
Email:k.seshan@ct.utwente.nl
Nomination:Common man in R K Laxman's 'You said it.'
Reason why:The Indian of the year is a virtual reality. Why not a suffering common man who has made sure that India is still one country?

Name:Raghava Prasad
Email:prasadms@wipinfo.soft.net
Nomination:K R Narayanan
Reason why:For the exemplary strong will he has show during the UP crisis.

Name:Ramadass
Email:ramadass@hotamil.com
Nomination:Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi
Reason why:For their excellent work on reaching one of the top five players in the world.

Name:Sachin Kulkarni
Email:sskulki@superlink.net
Nomination:Lal Bahadur Shastri
Reason why:For the way he inspired confidence in us Indians after the the debacle of '62. For the way he led by example of not misusing his official post (what if the Rajivs, the Raos, the Laloos had just emulated him, what if ... ) Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.

Name:Parvez Kader
Email:parvezk@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in
Nomination:Dr Abdul Kalam
Reason why:When the world showed us the doors, diplomatically denying us a piece of cake to be taken into the 21st century, here was a gentleman who baked the whole cake himself in India with his team. Now everyone in the world wants to know what's cooking in our kitchen. Salute Dr Kalam.

Name:Shweta Jain
Email:jains@hq.afpc.af.mil
Nomination:I K Gujral
Reason why:He deserves all the credit for keeping a government running given the unstable political scenario. He has worked sincerely towards liberalisation and made some pragmatic decisions. I think he deserves to be 'The Indian' prime minister more than anyone else!

Name:Suresh Kamaiah
Email:Kamaiahs@aol.com
Nomination:Dr Abdul Kalam
Reason why:He has done his part to make the country safer. He has brought many institutions together, and has instilled lot of confidence in our young scientists, unlike our embarrassing politicians. He is an hero to many people.

Name:Srinivas
Email:nivask@hotmail.com
Nomination:Mother Teresa
Reason why:For her work for the poorest of poor, and making India proud with her presence.

Name:Karthik
Email:kv04772@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
Nomination:Mr Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why:He is the convener and kingpin of the UF government. If not for him India would have faced another election by '96 itself. He was very instrumental in the setting up of the two governments. Above all, it is he who made Bill Gates venture into Hyderabad (keep in mind that MicroSoft doesn't have any big footage anywhere outside Seattle). I think this move will give lot of job opportunities to Indians, and will give a new dimension to India in the software Industry.

Name:Gokul
Email:go_patibandla@hotmail.com
Nomination:CHANDRABABU NAIDU
Reason why:For his Hi-tech vision.

Name:RajaRam Kesari
Email:rajjak@ge.plast.com
Nomination:N CHANDRABABU NAIDU
Reason why:As he is the only leader which our country requires in this situation.

Name:Prabhakar Saman
Email:prabhakar@edu.lsu.net
Nomination:Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why:He is only capable leader who has great vision to take our nation into the future.

Name:Balaram Gadda
Email:bram@sose.lle.net
Nomination:Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why:As he has been applauded by top businessmen in the world, and for his keen interest in the hi-tech Industry.

Name:Gautam R Bajekal
Email:gbajekal@tivoli.com
Nomination:President K R Narayanan
Reason why:From a humble beginning, this man has risen to the highest office in the nation. Not only has he preserved the sanctity of the Indian Constitution, which for the other politicians was a mere piece of paper, President Narayanan has proved that his office is not a mere rubber stamp.

In the murky world of politics the only silver lining for the people of India is that this man will stand in the way of the Kesris, Mulayams, Laloos and Gujrals who are making India from a third world nation to a "third rate" nation!!

Name:Anil Wadhwani
Email:anilw@yahoo.com
Nomination:L K Advani
Reason why:With all due respects to Atalji, who is the only politician who commands respect from one and all, I extend my vote to L K Advani, who has been primarily responsible for reviving the hopes of us Indians. I believe that he is the modern day Krishna, often surprising us with his political manoeuvres, at the same time staying focused on his patriotic national agenda, or should we call it 'Dharm.'

Name:Ramesh Narayanan
Email:nramesh@hotmail.com
Nomination:Mahesh Bhupathi
Reason why:Whoever thought that an Indian could win a Grand Slam? Mahesh has indeed become a real role model for ardent tennis loving youth, aspiring to be great themselves. Finding a single-digit ranking for an Indian is not easy to come by. Let's hope Indian youngsters look to such people to ensure a better tomorrow.

Name:Satish Menon
Email:satish.menon@amd.com
Nomination:K R Narayanan
Reason why:For striving hard to project and protect democracy. For showing us a glimmer of hope that all is not over, and that India has the will to stem the rot setting into our political framework.

Name:Mohammed Azharuddin Arshad
Email:azhar@puma.mt.att.com
Nomination:No Indian is fit for that title
Reason why:

Name:Mukund Rangarajan
Email:alamukund@hotmail.com
Nomination:Mahesh Bhupathi
Reason why:Needless to say, there is nothing to talk or feel proud about our country's political achievements. It's been a long time since we have seen the name of our country being mentioned in the international sports page. Though Leander tried pretty well, he could never do it alone. Now that Bhupathi has paired up with him, we hear a lot about their achievements in international newspapers.

Name:Angelin Kandiah
Email:angelin@mailcity.com
Nomination:Mother Teresa
Reason why:1997. One more year drawing to a close. Looking back I wonder how it is any different from the earlier years. The same old political battles fought in power-hungry corridors. A few more names added to the list of Indian achievers in the spheres of technology, sports, literature, etc. How has it all touched the life of the masses in my country. For many an unknown face in this mass, the only everyday reality, that which touches the core of his existence is poverty, hunger, loneliness, despair and death. This face belongs to one of my countrymen whom I do not know, and did not give a second look when I came across him on the streets.

But one person did. She lit the light of love in his dark life, reached out and gave her caring hand for him to grasp, brought meaning to the word 'hope'. This 'angel' made my country her home, to give selflessly of a LIFETIME for my fellow citizens. The 'Mother' may have passed away but her countless children have not been orphaned. Her mission continues to echo in the far corners of India (and the world) through the lives of people she has touched by her love and service. She has laid her head to rest at last and my country is proud that she sleeps on her soil.

Name:Ranjan Rout
Email:rrout@datarace.com
Nomination:K R Narayanan
Reason why:He affirmed people's faith in Indian democracy.

Name:Narain Viswanathan
Email:narain@technologist.com
Nomination:Dr A P J Abdul Kalam
Reason why:In the face of an ever increasing mass of people leaving India's shores, this man continues to plod on to strengthen India's defences, rain hail or shine. His single minded determination, whether there is political support or not is laudable. It is sad that India has been late in recognising the genius of this person. It is also ironic that he comes from a privately started institute, Madras Institute of Technology, not an IIT.

Name:Sriram S
Email:shanks@wellsfargo.com
Nomination:Leander Paes
Reason why:For his awe-inspiring feats on the tennis court along with Mahesh Bhupathi. He made every Indian proud when he won the sole medal at the Atlanta Olympics. His performances on the tennis court have inspired many young Indians to love the sport despite the fact that there is not much of encouragement in a nation filled with dirty, rotten, corrupt politicians!

Name:Vishu
Email:VishuK@hedreex.com
Nomination:Kalyan Singh
Reason why:For the past 50 years opportunistic politicians were playing their game against other decent politicians and poor people. The BJP, the most decent party in India, was always stabbed in the back, and it never retaliated or fought back.

This kind of civilised behaviour is not appreciated in India any more. For the first time the BJP retaliated against the corrupt political parties with their own game. The opportunists are still licking their wound. Now they will think twice before taking on the BJP. The clever and determined leadership provided by Kalyan Singh made it all possible. So he is my Man of the Year.

Name:Manish Chopra
Email:manish_chopra@hotmail.com
Nomination:Indian Citizen
Reason why:Despite all the atrocities of our system, the great Indian Citizen is managing to live calmly under heavy stress, pressure and adverse conditions. Kudos to the COMMON MAN.

Name:Badri Ramaswamy
Email:rbadri@cisco.com
Nomination:Leander Paes
Reason why: In a country of billion people, I had often wondered why and how a single individual does not exist, that would put India on the world sporting map. He did it with his bronze medal in the Olympics. It is not the end result that matters, but he has shown to the rest of the country that one can succeed, if the application/dedication takes precedence over silly altercations and petty politics, which is the state of the country, sadly enough.

Name:Sunitha Inumarty
Email:dsunitha@hotmail.com
Nomination:Mother Teresa
Reason why:We can never have a mother like Mother Teresa for a long long time to come in this selfish world.

Name:Sudhir Halbhavi
Email:halbhavi@qualcomm.com
Nomination:Sitaram Kesri
Reason why: In these dark days our country is going through, the only ray of light is Sitaram Kesri. He's the best bet to be our next prime minister. I nominate as the 'Indian of the Year' for providing the much needed leadership and guidance our nation needs. I hope that people have the sense to vote him in to power in the coming elections.

Name:Sri Yalla
Email:syalla@fedex.com
Nomination:Sitaram Kesri
Reason why:Just kidding -- I would like to nominate K R Narayanan -- he upheld the dignity of his office in spite of all adversaries. A man deserving of honour and respect.

Name:Mahesh Hariharan
Email:mahesh_hariharan@sabre.com
Nomination:Mother Teresa
Reason why:For selfless, single-minded dedication towards the 'forgotten' people of the world. The compassion and love that she showed towards a living being, if displayed by at least a fraction of the world population, would make this land a much better place to live in. The death of this modern day 'Florence Nightingale' is a huge loss to humanity. The memories of Mother Teresa will live forever, and I pray that the candle be passed on till eternity.

Name:Ambrish Sundaram
Email:sambrish@ix.netcom.com
Nomination:The Common Man
Reason why:You said it all -- The nation survived. Which, in this day and age, is a big plus in itself. Who constitutes the nation -- The Common Man. In fact "The Common Man" is a misnomer. He is -- The Exalted Indian.

Name:V S N Prasad
Email:svallep@siue.edu
Nomination:Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why: Because of him, Hyderabad is now called Cyberabad.

Name:Shashank Garg
Email:shanks@ncore.soft.net
Nomination:Dr A P J Abdul Kalam
Reason why: In spite of the starvation of funds faced by the scientific community, and in spite of a fuzzy political strategy towards attainment of self-reliance in our security scenario, Dr Kalam has worked hard to show what can be achieved even with the limited resources at his command. He has put India on the world map with his scientific and engineering feats, and shown the world we are second to none when it comes to self reliance and the national interest.

Name:H Subramanian
Email:hsubs@si.daifuku.co.jp
Nomination:P Chidambaram
Reason why: If there was one man who stood out in the midst of all this non-ending political fracas that rocked the country, it was P Chidambaram. When every politician was trying his best to grab power, and ministers were planning to switch loyalties forgetting their duties, he calmly went about performing his role. Starting with his dream Budget (though it has not gone all that well, for reasons beyond his control), he has been very pivotal in leading India through these turbulent financial times.He has served the country well as the finance minister.

Name:Suresh
Email:su_us@hotmail.com
Nomination:Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why: He is the person who is doing miracles in politics with his hi-tech vision.

Name:Venkatesh S R
Email:venkateshsr@hotmail.com
Nomination:K R Narayanan
Reason why: For once, we've seen a person who has shown that the President is the Constitutional head of the government, and that we're not under a 'dictatorship of the cabinet.' He carved a niche for himself in the pages of Indian history, apart from holding his position, by his commendable action during the UP crisis. I feel that he left a strong impression on the minds of both the people of India and our politicians, and this is why we are now facing an election and not a 'khichdi', self-serving, patched up apology for a government at the Centre. Both the Congress and the UF knew whom they were dealing with and bravo Dr Narayanan for achieving that status.

Name:Madhur Deora
Email:madhur85@wharton.upenn.edu
Nomination:Mother Teresa
Reason why: Love makes the world go round. And if it comes out of total selflessness, it is even more remarkable. This dedication is to the passion, love, and goodwill which the world will never have again. It will be impossible to replace the values that Mother Teresa possessed and lived by. In the year of her death, it is only befitting that every Indian takes a vow to do his or her best to live by the values which could not have been taught better.

Name:Ravindra Naik
Email:corphrd@bom2.vsnl.net.in
Nomination:P Chidambaram
Reason why:Economically, 1997 was very bad. Foreign investors were afraid to enter into the Indian market because of political instability. Yet, Mr Chidambaram was successful in keep the growth rate and investment rate quite constant. It all requires intelligence, foresight which Mr Chidambaram has. I think he is the true Indian of 1997.

Name:Anil Mukundan
Email:isesc@bom3.vsnl.net.in
Nomination:Sitaram Kesri
Reason why: For being a quintessential Indian politician...

Name:Mohan Parmeswaran
Email:image@bom3.vsnl.net.in
Nomination:Mother Teresa
Reason why: She has dedicated the best part of her life in the service of humanity, particularly the needy, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. As the champion of the poor Mother Teresa deserves to be set as an example for future generations.

Name:Kishor Sawarkar
Email:kishore@bom2.vsnl.net.in
Nomination:T N Seshan
Reason why:The first ever EC of India to make people aware of the basic existence and powers of the Election Commission. We need 1000 of such tough nuts which stands for TN.

Name:sundeep singapuri
Email:airborne@bom2.vsnl.net.in
Nomination:Kalpana Chawla
Reason why: Because she is the first Indian woman to have ventured into space. She has shown courage, dynamism and charisma in performing this feat. It just goes to show that women are as competent men!

Name:Mahesh
Email:mahesh@umr.edu
Nomination:Chandrababu Naidu
Reason why: Has single handedly taken an initiative towards incorporating information technology into the government work. This is a very positive step and many state governments will follow his lead in the future. Has brought out many other initiatives for fostering IT in Andhra Pradesh

Name:Rakesh Rao
Email:rakesh.rao@pacific.net.sg
Nomination:Mother Teresa
Reason why: The whole world knows. I need not repeat here.

Name:Nanda Kumar Birudavolu
Email:nandu@ucla.edu
Nomination: Kalpana Chawla
Reason why:First astronaut of Indian origin. Also, for being a great example for other women by earning the right to be on a NASA mission through sheer calibre.

Name:Srinivas murthy
Email:smurthy01@sprynet.com
Nomination:SITARAM KESRI
Reason why:There has been no worse politician and his eccentric tantrums have managed to give a death blow to the 11th Lok Sabha. But for him, India would have had political stability over the past year, and who knows, until what was going to be the full term of the currently dissolved Lok Sabha. He, with his eccentricity, delirium, old age and ignorance has managed to hold the Congress in his tight fist!