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New Delhi: Some
grabbed eyeballs for the controversies they kicked up, some for
their politics, and others for making people smile and applaud. A
look at the top newsmakers of 2012 in different sectors:
Sonia Gandhi: From deftly handling one-time ally Mamata Banerjee's
tantrums and backing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's decision on
foreign investment to taking confrontationist positions in
parliament and even preventing an MP from snatching a copy of a
bill, the Congress president stayed in the news all of this year.
As always, Gandhi, 66, also the chairperson of the United
Progressive Alliance, was the steely presence behind most
decisions taken by the ruling party and the government. The
usually reticent woman showed a rare fiery side, making heads turn
with her activism in the Lok Sabha -- egging party colleagues to
not give in to the opposition sloganeering over coal blocks
allocation and darting after Samajwadi Party MP Yashvir Singh to
prevent him from snatching a copy of the promotions quota bill
before younger colleagues could get up.
Manmohan Singh: Tagged by a section of the western media as an
"underachiever" and his government accused of policy paralysis,
the prime minister attempted to combat economic despair with his
initiative to open the Indian retail market to foreign direct
investment and hike diesel prices. Manmohan Singh, 80, ignored the
walkout threat of then ally Trinamool Congress and weathered the
opposition onslaught in parliament on the issue - thanks to
dexterous number juggling by his ministers - ensuring the
government's victory in the vote. With an eye on the 2014 polls,
his government is hoping to push the direct cash transfer scheme,
heralded as a "game changer".
Narendra Modi: He won the Gujarat elections for the third straight
term, becoming the opposition BJP's most prominent leader and
intensifying the buzz that he was headed to New Delhi as its prime
ministerial candidate in 2014. The controversial 62-year-old
Gujarat chief minister and formidable politician, believed to have
done wonders for Gujarat's economy and also polarised its society,
was quick to seize opportunities. When Maruti's Haryana factory
was hit by strikes, Modi quickly offered land in Gujarat for the
car factory, like he had done in the case of Tata Nano when West
Bengal's Nandigram proved too troublesome. This year, Britain,
acknowledging the importance of Gujarat as an investment and
business destination, took back the travel freeze imposed on Modi
after the 2002 riots. While Modi has not publicly apologized for
the carnage, he did tell people "forgive" him if he had committed
any mistakes.
Arvind Kejriwal: Who will he expose next?
Activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal's series of press
conferences to "expose" people in high places, mainly politicians
and businesspersons, grabbed media attention and people were eager
to know was next on the 44-year-old former Indian Revenue Service
officer's agenda. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert
Vadra, BJP chief Nitin Gadkari, Salman Khurshid, now the external
affairs minister, and Reliance Industries were all targets of his
exposes on alleged corruption and wrongdoing. All denied the
allegations. After parting ways with his mentor Anna Hazare,
Kejriwal launched his political outfit Aam Admi Party (AAP).
Aamir Khan: Touted as Mr Perfectionist, Aamir made his TV debut
with "Satyamev Jayate", a 14-part series on topics as varied and
sensitive as female foeticide, old age and untouchability. The
show that went on air May 6 evoked strong emotions and a high
viewership, touching a chord with the "aam aadmi". To ensure a
wide audience he ensured the show was telecast on Doordarshan
simultaneously when it came on Star Plus. The serial was followed
by his suspense thriller "Talaash", which had him packing in an
intense performance as a cop. The film has earned profits at the
box-office, both in India and overseas, though critics have panned
the script. Now, he has plans to make a film on the Mahabharata.
Sridevi: The "Hawa Hawaii" girl made her grand Bollywood comeback
this year in "English Vinglish". After a 15-year sabbatical,
Sridevi's flawless performance in the film as a homemaker won the
hearts of millions of women. Once known as India's only female
superstar for her ability to carry a film through on her
shoulders, Sridevi, 49, is still remembered for her huge hits like
"Mr India", "Chandni" and "Chaalbaaz".
Sachin Tendulkar: Ending days of speculation, India's batting
great decided Dec 23 to retire from ODIs. The timing was a bit
surprising since it came moments before the team for Pakistan was
announced. It was not the way Tendulkar fans would have expected
him to end his 23-year illustrious career. Tendulkar, considered
one of the greatest batsmen the world has seen, also got his 100
centuries this year during the Asia Cup in Dhaka.
Sushil Kumar: The wrestler from Baprola village on the outskirts
of Delhi created history by becoming the only Indian to have won
back-to-back medals at the Olympics this year. Sushil won the
silver medal in the Men's 66kg Freestyle Wrestling event at the
2012 London Olympics. He had won a bronze in the Men's 66kg
Freestyle Wrestling at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Vijay Kumar: The army shooter made India proud by winning the
silver medal in the individual 25-metre rapid fire pistol event at
the London Olympics. Vijay had earlier won three gold medals and
one silver at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. After a lot of
controversy, Vijay was promoted as Subedar Major and given a cash
award of Rs.30 lakh with Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh promising all
help to elevate him to the rank of an officer.
Ratan Tata: Ratan Naval Tata steps down as chairman of Tata Sons,
the holding company of the $100 billion salt-to-steel conglomerate
Tata Group Dec 28 when he turns 75. Tata retires after being at
the helm of affairs for 21 years. He is succeeded by 44-year old
Cyrus Pallonji Mistry, whose family is a significant stakeholder
of Tata Sons. After giving up his official responsibilities, Tata
will hold the title of chairman emeritus of Tata Sons.
Vijay Mallya: It was a turbulent year for the "king of good times"
and UB Group chairman Vijay Mallya. His Kingfisher Airlines, one
of the largest aviation firms in India till recently, was grounded
due to mounting debt. In mid-October, the Indian regulator
suspended the licence of the airline, believed to be reeling under
nearly $2 billion debt and which has not paid its staff for seven
months. Mallya sold majority 53.4 percent stake in his liquor firm
United Spirits to British spirits giant Diageo for $2 billion. The
deal will provide some reprieve to UB Group, which has been
struggling under a mountain of debt.
Gang-rape victim: The 23-year-old physiotherapy student became the
anguished cynosure of a nation when she was thrown on a Delhi road
on a cold December night with her male friend. She had been
brutally tortured and raped by six males on a moving bus. She was
so grievously injured that her intestines had to be taken out. The
woman, now in a Singapore hospital, fights a valiant battle for
survival -- galvanising as never before perhaps protestors from
all segments of society and provoking an entire country to reflect
on the position of women, crimes against them and the legal
framework to protect them. As parts of the national capital ground
to a halt, President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi were amongst those who
called for introspection.
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