Joseph Stalin   Russia : The ‘Iron Man’ of Russia Born : 1879                 Died :1953     Stalin was known as the ‘Iron Man’ of the USSR and the epithet fitted him like a glove. His real name was Joseph Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili and he was known as a ruthless administrator who brooked, no opposition. Born in Georgia in a shoemaker’s family, Stalin imbibed revolutionary ideas from an early age. He...

Chou En-Lai   China : An astute statesman Born : 1898 Died : 1976 Chou En-Lai was one of the most powerful politicians of the Peoples’ Republic of China. He was a confidant of Mao Tse-Tung and occupied the second most important position for more than 25 years. He played an important role in the establishment of communist rule in China. He was appointed as the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister...

Dr  S. Ramgoolam   Mauritius : Father of Mauritius Born : 1900         Died : 1985     Mauritius is an island in the Indian Ocean. Its area is about 700 sq kilometres. It was under occupation of Great Britain for centuries and has great strategic value. A large percentage of its population is of Indian origin who went there to work as indentured labour. The Indian labour led a pitiable life....

Vikram Sarabhai   India : Renowned physicist Born : 1919   Died : 1971 If there was any scientist, who could be credited with launching India into space age, it is Vikram Sarabhai, who made valuable contribution in this regard. His services to the country and science will always be remembered. He took Indian science to greater heights and was a top scientist. A grateful nation named the space centre after him...

Colonel Nasser   Egypt : Builder of modern Egypt Born : 1918                 Died : 1970 Col. Abdul Gamal Nasser was one of those ardent patriots who dedicated their lives to serve their people and country. Egypt was languishing under the tyrannical rule of a debauch Farouque, who was propped up by western powers. Nasser formed a group in the Egyptian army that pursued the aim of getting rid of the...

Joan of Arc   France : A great patriot Born : 1412     Died : 1431 Joan was the visionary daughter of a ploughman of Domremy in France. This valiant fighter for freedom was a woman of iron will and determination. From her early childhood she had a crunch that she was born to free her mother country, France, from the clutches of English and Burgundians in the second period of...

Maharana Pratap   India : Valiant fighter for freedom Born : 1540        Died : 1597 Maharana Pratap was a valiant and illustrious character, of Indian history. His bravery, courage and sacrifices shall ever remain a, golden chapter of Indian history. Pratap was the son of Rana Udai Singh of Mewar. ‘He belonged to the Sisodiya clan of Rajputs. Rajputs have been known the world over for their patriotism, bravery and...

Omar Khayyam   Persia : Renowned Arabic poet Born : 1049        Died : 1123 Omar Khayyam was born in Persia (now Iran) near Nishapur. Khayyam in Persian means `maker of tents’. As such it is presumed that his hereditary profession must have been tent-making. Omar Khayyam is famous in the western world because of his four-line `rubaiyats’. Fitzgerald translated them in English and then his name became known in west....