In 2014, India witnessed an epic political battle, at the centre of which was none other than Narendra Modi. The longest serving BJP Chief Minister’s party saw a historic win, forming the first single party majority Government in three decades. Running a never seen before presidential style campaign, addressing over 450 rallies across the country, Modi finally won what he called 'The Verdict of Hope.' India's 14th Prime Minister is our CNN-NEWS18 Indian of the year 2014, for making the story of the Lok Sabha elections 2014, the story of Narendra Modi.

Currently the Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley is credited with ending the festering and unresolved leadership issues within the BJP post the Vajpayee - Advani era. He played a crucial role in projecting Narendra Modi as BJP's PM candidate. A man for all seasons, he has also been NDA's Chief Crisis Manager.

India's shooters have been fairly successful on the world stage but never has anyone dominated like the Army Marksman. A phenomenal run started in June 2014 with three World Cup Medals including a Gold; then came the Commonwealth Gold, a world championship Silver and an Olympic ticket followed by India's first Gold at Incheon - a remarkable feat from a relative unknown at the beginning of 2014.

N Chandrasekaran is known for his management and leadership style. He has been the CEO and MD of TCS since October 2009 and was re-appointed a few months ago by the company's board for another five year term. His ability to push boundaries and inspire his leadership team to do the same has helped the $13 billion-plus software gorilla to sprint ahead of others in growth and valuation metrics.

An investment banker, an author and now a screenplay writer, Chetan Bhagat has churned six best-selling novels, four of which have been adapted into films including the record breaking 3 Idiots and this year’s 100 crore hit 2 States. He turned scriptwriter with Salman Khan’s 200 crore hit Kick and now plans to turn producer with the film adaptation of his latest, Half Girlfriend.

Not even bullets can silence this journalist! In 2012, Tongam Rina, the Associate Editor of Arunachal Times was shot at close range for writing against the endemic corruption in her state. Now recovered from her injuries, she continues her journalism of courage highlighting how hydro-dams and tribal fault lines are tearing Arunachal Pradesh apart. Rina is the only Indian journalist to have found a place in the list of '100 Information Heroes' released by ‘Reporters Without Borders’ this year.

Hyderabad-born Satya Nadella is the third CEO in technology giant Microsoft’s history. Nadella has successfully avoided fading into the giant shadows of his predecessors Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer. Sensing the wind, he is steering Microsoft from a Device and Services company to cloud services, the department he once headed. For successfully breaking the glass ceiling as one of America’s icons, CNN-NEWS18 awards him the Indian of the Year 2014 in the Global Indian category.

The credit for the oldest statehood movement of India this that led to the creation of Telangana in 2014 goes to K Chandrasekhar Rao. A former TDP leader, who a decade ago broke ranks and resuscitated the Telangana movement, Rao is now the first Chief Minister of India's 29th state.

NGO Stop Acid Attacks (SAA) has been declared the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2013 for its many achievement in the last year. SAA is a campaign against acid violence that works as a bridge between survivors and society. Most victims of this brutal crime, much graver in its impact than a rape, tend to isolate themselves after being disfigured by acid for fear of society. SAA aims to reach out to these survivors and help them reconstruct their lives. It tracks acid attack cases and compiles a database to understand the actual plight of survivors.

Former Joint Commissioner in Indian Revenues Services and currently a politician, Arvind Kejriwal has been declared the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2013, in the Politics category. In a matter of just months, Kejriwal has gone from jointly leading India's anti-corruption movement to becoming a successful politician. A true trendsetter in Indian politics, Kejriwal pulled off a stunning political debut just 13 months after forming the Aam Aadmi Party. Not only did he help rout Congress in the Delhi assembly elections, his political party went home with 28 seats, just six short of majority. Kejriwal is known for his role in drafting the proposed Jan Lokpal Bill and his contribution to the enactment of the Right to Information Act. Kejriwal won the Magsaysay award for activating India's Right to Information movement at the grassroots and was also awarded CNN-IBN's Indian of the Year award in the Public Service category in 2006. His efforts to empower the poorest citizens of India and bring an end to corruption have led people to believe that India is finally heading in a new direction.

Hyderabad shuttler Pusarla Venkata Sindhu has been declared the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2013, in the Sports category. She became the first-ever Indian woman to win a medal in the singles at the World Championship on August 10, 2013. At the age of 18, she has broken new grounds for Indian badminton and made it to the top 20 in the Badminton World Federation rankings. This year has been exceptional for this young talent as she also won the Malaysian Open and recently added another feather to her cap by winning the Macau Open Grand Prix Gold title in December. She has also been awarded the Arjuna Award.

Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, Bajaj Auto Ltd., has been declared the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2013, in the Business category. He has played a key role in expanding Bajaj Auto's reach across the country and discovering new profitable ventures for the company. A mechanical engineer with a graduate degree in manufacturing systems engineering from University of Warwick, Rajiv joined Bajaj Auto's manufacturing division in 1990. It is his youthful energy, dynamic leadership, vision, and strategic management experience that has made Bajaj Auto the most profitable auto company so far.

Stand-up comedian Kapil Sharma has been declared the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2013, in the Entertainment category. Hailing from the holy city of Amritsar, He is currently one of the most popular stand-up comedians in India. He was the winner of the 'The Great Indian Laughter Challenge 3' and currently hosts his own show 'Comedy Nights with Kapil', which has won him nationwide acclaim and acceptance. He has hosted countless number of TV shows and award ceremonies. His quick wit and the ability to find humour in any situation makes him one of the most unique and popular comedians in the industry today.

The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Supreme Court advocate Lily Thomas have been declared CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2013 in the Public Service category. The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) was established in 1999 by a group of professors from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad. In 1999, they filed a PIL in the Delhi High Court requesting the disclosure of the criminal, financial and educational backgrounds of candidates contesting elections. Based on this, the Supreme Court in 2002, and subsequently in 2003, made it mandatory for all candidates contesting elections to disclose their criminal, financial and educational backgrounds prior to the polls by filing an affidavit with the Election Commission. Since its inception, ADR has participated in almost every significant effort aimed at cleansing our electoral democracy. And it is Public Service category not Services.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have been declared the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2013, in the Special Achievement category, for their respective achievements in different fields. They displayed exemplary courage when Uttarakhand was hit by disastrous flashfloods and landslides that left thousands dead and missing. Having one commander heading the team and coordinating their rescue efforts, the ITBP and NDRF succeeded in bringing home thousands from the flood-ravaged Uttarakhand.

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone has been declared the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2013, in the Special Achievement category. She has become one of the most popular and bankable actresses in Bollywood. Starting with 'Cocktail' last year, Deepika delivered hits after hits including 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani', 'Chennai Express' etc. The actress displayed a shrewd eye for picking box-office friendly films, and even made her presence felt in each of the hits, packing in enduring performances in her movies. When Bollywood's history is written, Deepika Padukone will be counted as Bollywood's first leading lady to have scored as many as four back to back 100-crore hits in the same year.

India's chess Grandmaster and current World Champion Viswanathan Anand has become one of the biggest and most respected Indian sportspersons in the world. Undisputed since 2007, Anand has fought off every challenger with elan, seeing off opponents such as Vladimir Kramnik, Vaselin Topalov and Boris Gelfand in tense battles. In the 2012 championship in Moscow, Anand overcame a stiff challenge from Gelfand by one point in the tiebreaker to seal the coveted title. They had drawn level at six points each after the regulation 12-round series. However, it was Anand who held his nerves in the four-round tiebreaker.

For being the architect of BJP's win in Goa and for successfully selling the agenda of hope in a state which was used to despairingly low level politics.

For being India's most successful chess grandmaster who has been the undisputed World Champion since 2007.

For taking on multinational pharma companies and making some of the essential drugs more affordable to the masses in the developing countries.
Read Dr. Yusuf Hamied's message on being awarded the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year in the business category

For an outstanding performance in 'Paan Singh Tomar', and for continuing to make a splash in international cinema with films like 'The Amazing Spider-Man' and 'The Life of Pi'.

For being a cardiac surgeon who leads and runs the world's largest and most economical heart care and health care institute, Narayana Hrudayalaya, which is run with the motive of giving quality health care services with dignity.

2012 saw actor Aamir Khan leverage his star power to reach out to the common man with his maiden TV show (AMB UP Satyamev Jayate). Khan and team Satyamev Jayate brought under the spotlight burning social issues like female foeticide, child abuse and honour killing, forcing the audience and the system to sit up and take notice; inspiring real and constructive change. Its success made the actor a poster boy of social change, with a Time magazine cover lauding his efforts.

The boxer from Manipur overcame all possible obstacles to find a place on the Olympic podium. Returning to the ring after the birth of twin children, Mary was determined to win an Olympic medal. She had to move upwards in her weight category and tackle those cynical voices who believed she was past her prime. Mary boxed with fierce resolve in the early rounds and made her way into medal contention. She was only to be beaten by the ultimate gold medalist at the games. Mary's achievement brought joy to an entire region that had always been on the fringe of not just Indian sport but Indian society at large. She is an inspiration and a hero.

For leading an unprecedented uprising against corruption and changing the nature of political discourse in India. His name became a buzzword amongst thousands of youth and triggered such an outpouring of people on the streets that forced the government to concede and put on fast track the process of putting together a Lokpal Bill.

For achieving what was once considered unthinkable in West Bengal, ending a three decade rule of the Left Front. Mamata created a history by not only demolishing her opponents but also by becoming the first woman Chief Minister of the state. That she stormed Writers Building with a tally of 227 seats, an over three-fourth majority, is an indicator that her slogan of Paribartan or change, had worked like a magic.

For arguably being India's best cricket captain ever and achieving stupendous success in winning the World Cup after a 28 year gap. Known as Captain Cool, Mr Dhoni has been able to impress everyone with his superb ability to work within his limitations, the way in which he marshals his team and the manner in which he handles the juniors and seniors in the team.

For converting distressed assets into value in a way which turned Sun into the most valuable pharmaceuticals company in India. Mr Shanghvi has often been regarded as a contrarian while taking business decisions, but what has perhaps ensured his meteoric success is the fact that he has usually been right with them.

For redefining the genre of reality television through a smart repackaging of emotions and an outstanding presentation style. The show achieved a year of record success with its intense focus on participants from so called real India, making this show a saga of intense aspirational and emotional appeal.

For leading an unprecedented uprising against corruption and changing the nature of political discourse in India. His name became a buzzword amongst thousands of youth and triggered such an outpouring of people on the streets that forced the government to concede and put on fast track the process of putting together a Lokpal Bill.

For pulling off the most stunning electoral result in India by focusing on development in an underdeveloped state, triggering hope amongst millions.

For pulling off the most stunning electoral result in India by focusing on development in an underdeveloped state, triggering hope amongst millions.

For becoming the first Indian wrestler to win a world championship and following it with a gold at the Commonwealth Games.

For being an outstanding, no nonsense entrepreneur who has made a success out of most businesses he has entered into, including sunrise sectors.

For being a filmmaker with an unbeatable track record of 100% hits in Tamil.. the latest being the costliest Indian film ever produced 'Robot'.

For building environment friendly, flood and quake resistant housing involving community participation and local materials in Leh.

For winning the Oscar and proving he is one of India's biggest influences on world music.

For energising the Congress and being the key strategist behind the party's revival in Uttar Pradesh.

For taking Indian badminton to unprecedented heights by becoming the first Indian woman to win a Super Series title.

For deft handling of a crisis triggered by the monumental Satyam scam, and preventing loss of faith in Indian businesses.

For winning the Oscar and proving he is one of India's biggest influences on world music..

For their outstanding contribution in the field of universal literacy and education amongst children.

For leading a team of scientists whose consistent hard work and dedication to science ensured India has become only the fourth nation in the world to land on the Moon.

For working hard, providing consistent leadership and ensuring the arduous task of turning around one of India's most under-developed states remains a reality for millions of Bihar residents.

For his historic achievement in becoming the first Indian ever to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics and thereby fuelling ambitions of sporting excellence and achievement in millions of Indians.

For low-profile but effective leadership in steering HDFC Bank and his great leverage of the customer base which ensured a steady and risk-free growth in an abysmal year for businesses across sectors.

For being the most versatile film actor, setting the highest possible standards of work ethic and providing us quality and varied cinema through films like Taare Zameen Par and Ghajini.

For leading a team of scientists whose consistent hard work and dedication to science ensured India has become only the fourth nation in the world to land on the Moon.

For being India's most revered melody-machine with films like Jodha Akbar and Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and finally stamping his class across the world through the Golden Globe award winning Slumdog Millionaire.

For setting a rare work ethic and transforming the face of transportation by effective time-bound execution of the Metro Rail project.

For engineering a spectacular growth rate and being an astute economic manager despite coalition pressures.

For being one of the rare Indians to become the undisputed world champion in a sport and making chess a popular sport in India.

For showing how a public sector behemoth could flex enough muscle in the ferociously competitive banking sector.

For delivering the year's Best Idea film, Chak De, and demonstrating how a simple idea can be made a runaway commercial success.

For setting a rare work ethic and transforming the face of transportation by effective time-bound execution of the Metro Rail project.

For piloting more than 11 Billion U.S dollars foreign direct investment in India, one of the largest ever.

The coveted CNN-IBN Indian of the Year Award went to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh - the hard-working, reticent leader of the country who works seven days a week, 18 hours a day to ensure that every Indian is a part of the country's success story."It's a great honour to be the recipient of this award. I'm grateful to all those who voted me the Indian of the Year. But I feel very humbled. I thank CNN-IBN very much," Dr Singh said after CNN-IBN Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai.

The coveted CNN-IBN Indian of the Year Award went to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh - the hard-working, reticent leader of the country who works seven days a week, 18 hours a day to ensure that every Indian is a part of the country's success story."It's a great honour to be the recipient of this award. I'm grateful to all those who voted me the Indian of the Year. But I feel very humbled. I thank CNN-IBN very much," Dr Singh said after CNN-IBN Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai.

The man who created a storm in the sporting world by winning one after another event last year won the Indian of the Year Award in the sports category. Milkha Singh was the first Indian-Asian golfer to establish India's name in the world of golf in 2006.
"I hope I can do justice to this award by working hard and making India proud in the field of golf," said Jeev.

In the business category, CNN-IBN saluted 'takeover king' Ratan Tata the man who thought bigger than the rest and won a landmark deal in the history of India Inc.
Ratan Tata, the leader of the Rs-80,000 crore Tata Group, was named the winner of the Indian of the Year Award in the business category. "It's a recognition for someone who has been just trying to do his own job in his own little way. Thank you very very much," he said after receiving the award.

The man who reinvented Mahatma for the present generation and rediscovered Gandhigiri, Raj Kumar Hirani, was named the Indian of the Year in Cinema for being the "entertainer of the year".
"I used to think cinema could not cause a social change. Now, I know I was wrong in thinking that way," Hirani said as he accepted the award.

Arvind Kejriwal, the man who gave India a tool to fight corruption, ensured information became a right and that transparency became a reality in the India of 21st century, was given the Indian of the Year Award for his contribution to public service. "This award belongs to all those ordinary Indians and I stand before you to accept this honour on behalf of those ordinary Indians," Kejriwal said as he accepted the honour.

Chennai-born corporate czarina and PepsiCo Chairperson Indra Nooyi was declared the Indian of the Year in the NRI category. Nooyi, who stands amongst the most powerful women in the world, welcomed the honour and said, "I want to extend my heartiest thanks to CNN-IBN for this extraordinary honour."