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CNN IBN names winners across categories for Indian Of The Year
MUMBAI: Recognizing the remarkable achievements and contributions of Indians, who have tirelessly worked towards strengthening India’s foundation in the last calendar year, CNN-IBN named the winners of its Indian of the Year Award 2014.
At a star-studded awards ceremony held in New Delhi, winners across politics, sports, entertainment, business, public service and Global Indian categories amongst others were announced and felicitated by the vice president of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari.
The grand finale of the award ceremony will be telecast on CNN-IBN on 21 March at 2 pm followed by a repeat at 8 pm.
CNN-IBN INDIAN OF THE YEAR 2014
Narendra Modi: In 2014, India witnessed an epic political battle, at the centre of which was none other than Narendra Modi. Running a never seen before electoral campaign, addressing over 450 rallies across the country, Modi finally won what he called ‘the Verdict of Hope.’ He is our Indian of the year 2014 for making the story of Lok Sabha elections 2014 – the story of Narendra Modi.
Speaking on the occasion IBN Network CEO Avinash Kaul said, “It has been our privilege to have felicitated some of the most successful Indians who have made the nation proud and set an example for all of us. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2014”.
CNN-IBN managing editor Radhakrishnan Nair said, “It is our great pride and pleasure that CNN-IBN Indian of the Year is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the country today. The award is our earnest effort to appreciate the outstanding contribution of our fellow Indians and their allegiance in making India shine. I wish all the winners hearty congratulations.”
The winners across different categories are:
Politics
Arun Jaitley: For proving his dynamism by eliminating all ambiguity and unresolved leadership issues within the BJP, post the Vajpayee – Advani era. A man for all seasons, he has played a crucial role in projecting Narendra Modi as BJP’s PM candidate.
Sports
Jitu Rai: For his phenomenal record that started in June 2014 with three World Cup Medals including a Gold, followed by the Commonwealth Gold, a world championship Silver, an Olympic ticket and last but not the least, India’s first Gold at Incheon – a remarkable feat from an Indian shooter.
Business
N Chandrasekaran: For his ability to push boundaries that has made Tata Consultancy Services amongst the most valuable IT services companies in the world. Under N Chandrasekaran’s leadership the $13 billion-plus software gorilla has sprinted way ahead of others in growth and valuation metrics.
Entertainment
Chetan Bhagat: For being a literary superstar, whose bestsellers have been adapted into record breaking movies and who has introduced millions to English fiction. An investment banker, an author of seven best-selling novels and now a screenplay writer, Chetan Bhagat’s versatility is inimitable.
Public Service
Tongam Rina: For continuing her journalism of courage in the face of extreme adversity. Not even bullets could silence this journalist! Even after being shot at close range in 2012, Tongam Rina, the associate editor of Arunachal Times continues to write against injustice.
Global Indian
Satya Nadella: For successfully breaking the glass ceiling at the largest software company in the world. The third CEO in technology giant Microsoft’s history, Satya Nadella has successfully turned Microsoft into a company with a much broader and holistic view and driven a new level of openness.
Popular Science
K Chandrasekhar Rao: For leading the oldest statehood movement of India to realization and helping create India’s 29th state – Telangana. A mass leader who resuscitated the Telangana movement, K Chandrasekhar Rao is now the first Chief Minister of India’s newest state.
P Vijayan: For being the force behind the Student Police Cadet Project and initiating several novel schemes to promote education among poor children. IPS officer P. Vijayan’s own journey from a child labourer to an IPS officer is an inspiration to many.
Special Achievement
Kangana Ranaut: For being amongst the few actresses in the Hindi film industry to have successfully carried films as a protagonist. Ranaut stirred up the nation with her critically applauded performance in Vikas Bahl’s commercial success Queen followed by an experimental film Revolver Rani.
Pankaj Advani: For adding to his amazing legacy in Billiards and Snooker and raising the profile of these sports in India. The only Indian to have won twelve World titles at 29, Pankaj Advani created history by winning an incredible Four World titles in 2014.
Outstanding Achievement
Kailash Satyarthi: For being at the forefront of the movement to end child slavery. Kailash Satyarthi founded and leads the ‘Bachpan Bachao Aandolan’ organization that has rescued over 82,000 children from a life of exploitation. An engineer by profession, Satyarthi has dedicated all his efforts to combat child labour and child trafficking.
Azim Premji: For launching the Azim Premji Philanthropic initiative in 2014 to fund non-profit organizations working in key areas like nutrition, disabilities and governance. Premji has given away more than four billion dollars in the last four years, making him one of India’s biggest philanthropists.
Lifetime Achievement
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO): With a committed team of scientists and engineers, ISRO has proved itself time and again as one of the best teams in cracking the mysteries of space exploration. It made its mark with Chandrayaan, its mission to the moon and now with its Mars mission, Mangalyaan, India has stamped its mark as a major space power.
CNN-IBN INDIAN Of The Year 2014
Narendra Modi: In 2014, India witnessed an epic political battle, at the centre of which was none other than Narendra Modi. Running a never seen before electoral campaign, addressing over 450 rallies across the country, Modi finally won what he called ‘the Verdict of Hope.’ He is CNN-IBN’s Indian of the year 2014 for making the story of Lok Sabha elections 2014 – the story of Narendra Modi.
IBN Network CEO Avinash Kaul said, “It has been our privilege to have felicitated some of the most successful Indians, who have made the nation proud and set an example for all of us. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2014.”
CNN-IBN managing editor Radhakrishnan Nair added, “It is our great pride and pleasure that CNN-IBN Indian of the Year is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the country today. The award is our earnest effort to appreciate the outstanding contribution of our fellow Indians and their allegiance in making India shine. I wish all the winners hearty congratulations.”
Instituted in 2006, this is the ninth edition of CNN-IBN Indian of the Year. Over the years, the awards have achieved prestige and credibility unmatched by others in the media industry. The awards adhere to a transparent selection process that includes the IBN Editorial Board drawing a list of nominees, further ratified by a Jury panel, consisting of a select group of distinguished personalities, bestowed with the most prestigious Padma honours.
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Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
