Pratibha Patil

Vijay Sharma from Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba bagged a Padmashri in 2012 for preserving pahari miniatures

Jagdish Parikh has even presented his unique vegetable varieties to some former Presidents including APJ Abdul Kalam. PS: He has grown a pumpkin that weighed 86 kilos!

"Insaaniyat ke nate kuch farz bante hain… [humanity compels us to take up certain duties],” said the Turbanator, reaching out to the family of former Army man.

No one would guess looking at this chaiwallah in his makeshift roadside shop — the one with an old tin kettle and crusty chai glasses — that he inhabits another world of reading and writing as well. Laxman Rao has written 24 novels, published 12, and is now pursuing a Master’s degree.