Great Indian leaders

Our political leaders have been of such low standard (on average) after independence that we have forgotten what good leadership means. We have therefore formed extremely low expectations from our current crop of "leaders". Today, anyone who can deliver a train that runs in time, or build a road without potholes is considered a "great" leader. Known more for corruption and authoritarianism than for ethical standards, these people are NOT great leaders. Let's be clear about that. 

My list of leaders, below, a Roll of honour, is intended to provoke thought – it is not intended to be complete list nor something everyone will agree with. But if you feel I've left out someone who should definitely have been included here, please send in your comments. If I agree with your recommendation, I'll include that name in the main list.

Note also that I'm covering most fields of human endeavour (except sports, the arts, and the purely religious), for I believe that leadership is not just political. What I'm interested in preparing a list that shows the heights that Indians have achieved – something for us to aim for. More importantly, if you have it in you to lead India to freedom, then join the Freedom Team of India.

THE ROLL OF HONOUR

Politics and governance

Raja Ram Mohun Roy – for bringing the ideas of modern education and liberty to India, and raising the prospect of independent India

Gopal Krishna Gokhle – for being the voice of reason and liberalism at the commencement of the independence movement

Bal Gangadhar Tilak – for his leadership in making idea of swaraj popular  (although he did, unwittingly, mix religion and politics)

Lala Lajpat Rai – for leadership during the independence movement

M.K. Gandhi – for being a liberal who fought through unique methods for India's independence (although, again, he unwittingly mixed religion with politics)

Jawaharlal Nehru – for being a supporter of science, democracy, and the non-denominational state, and for his work in the independence movement (although his policies post-independence are highly questionable)

B.R. Ambedkar – for his bringing a (classical) liberal approach to the Indian constitution

C. Rajagopalachari – for his work in the independence movement and for having the courage to oppose Nehruvian socialism (not Nehru!) after independence through the Swatantra party 

Vallabhbhai Patel – for his deep understanding of the principles of governance

Subhas Chandra Bose – for having the courage to conjure up a major armed force (not just one or two terrorist acts) for independence. 

M. Visvesvaraya – for outstanding public service and setting unimpeachable standards of integrity and diligence

Minoo Masani – for supporting Rajaji organise the fight against Nehruvian socialism

Science

Aryabhata – for his mathematical and astronomical treatises when the world knew little or nothing about such things

S. Chandrasekhar – for his work on astrophysics and black holes

C.V. Raman – for his discovery of  molecular scattering of light and discovery of the Raman effect

M.S. Swaminathan – for his work on taking the green revolution to the grassroots in India

Hargobind Khorana – for his work on the cell (protein formation)

Social science

See my list of economists here.

M.N. Srinivas – for his work in sociology in relation to the Indian society

Philosophy

Charvaka – a philosopher par excellence with many modern liberal insights

The Buddha – a broadly liberal philosopher

Chanakya – a political philosopher many of whose insights are relevant event today

Swami Vivekananda – a philosopher of Hinduism but with a keen focus on liberty

Rabindranath Tagore – a liberal philosopher

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan – a well-rounded philosopher par excellence

Business

J.R.D. Tata – for expanding the Tata business house in an ethical manner, and for supporting the political party that opposed Nehruvian socialism 

(Many other "famous" business leaders of India are (or were) extremely shallow people without the slightest self-respect. They run after the droppings of corrupt political leaders and support political parties that have led to the severe mis-governance of India. Their (often self-proclaimed) "values" are highly suspect, for they know not the most fundamental values of citizenship. I do not consider most of these as role models.)

IF YOU WANT TO LEAD INDIA TO FREEDOM, PLEASE JOIN OR SUPPORT THE FREEDOM TEAM OF INDIA.