Media Watchdog
Abdul Kalam was not the only Muslim who contributed towards India

Abdul Kalam was not the only Muslim who contributed towards India

Mahesh Sharma stoked controversy by opining that Abdul Kalam was “a great nationalist despite being a Muslim”.

Saad Saud October 04, 2015

Recently, Indian Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma stoked controversy by opining that former Indian president APJ Abdul Kalam was “a great nationalist despite being a Muslim”.

Politicians’ contributions:

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Badruddin Tyabji, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai, Asaf Ali, Syed Mahmud, Zakir Hussain, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, APJ Abdul Kalam, Saifuddin Kitchlew, Muhammad Yunus, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Khan Abdul Jabbar Khan, Khwaja Abdul Hamied, MC Chagla, Mohammad Hidayatullah, Salman Khurshid, E Ahamed, Sheikh Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Sikander Bakht, Shahnawaz Hussain.

Bureaucrats’ contribution:

Ali Yavar Jung, Abid Hussain, Salman Haider, Syed Akbaruddin, SY Quraishi, Wajahat Habibullah.

Actors’ contribution:

Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Aamir Khan, Dilip Kumar, Feroz Khan, Mehmood Ali, Arshad Warsi, Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Waheeda Rehman, Shabana Azmi, Zeenat Aman, Farida Jalal, Farooq Sheikh, Naseeruddin Shah, Tabu, Farhan Akhtar, Zohra Sehgal, Habib Tanvir.

Musicians and vocalists’ contribution:

Amjad Ali Khan, AR Rahman, Anu Malik, Naushad, Zakir Hussain, Bismillah Khan, Begum Akhtar, Lucky Ali.

Poets and lyricists’ contributions:

Akhlaq Muhammad Khan (Shahryar), Shakeel Badayuni, Jan Nisar Akhtar, Majaz Lakhnawi, Kaifi Azmi, Ali Sardar Jafri, Sahir Ludhianvi, Javed Akhtar, Nida Fazli, Bashir Badr, Rahat Indori, Salim Khan.

Filmmakers’ contribution:

Kamal Amrohi, K Asif, Muzaffar Ali, Shaad Ali, Zoya Akhtar.

Writers and academics’ contribution:

Qurratulain Hyder, Ismat Chughtai, Shamsur Rahman Faruqi, Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, MJ Akbar, Muhibbul Hasan, Mushirul Hasan , Zoya Hasan, Mohammad Habib, Irfan Habib, Rakhshanda Jalil, Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, Asghar Ali Engineer.

Business and entrepreneurs’ contribution:

Azim Premji, Yusuf Hamied, Shahnaz Hussain, BS Abdur Rahman.

Cricketers’ contribution:

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Mohammad Azharuddin, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Zaheer Khan.

Military and army contribution:

Abdul Hamid, Mohammad Usman, Idris Latif.

WRITTEN BY:
Saad Saud The writer is a subeditor for the Lahore desk of The Express Tribune

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (113)

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Rajiv | 6 years ago | Reply Music, films, Art, sports are not contribution to a country. These things only exist in peaceful and prosperous nations. These are byproducts of a good society. In a nation with high level of violence these things won't exist. If you want to look at contribution look at the things which are required for nation building.

Satish Walimbe | 7 years ago | Reply Only Muslims, who blindly follow Fanatic Mullahs and 12th century curriculum of Madrasas don't progress. Stop daydreaming of Ghazwa -E-Hind. and accept that your ancestors were Hindus and not Arabs (who spit on your face). Those Muslims in India who have understood this fact have achieved success. All non-Muslim Indians treat them with respect.

Sammy | 9 years ago | Reply Since when did Dr M. Yunus, whose picture is in the second composite, become an "Indian"? Come on ET, at least from you guys I was expecting a little more quality than Jung or the NewsInternational.

Gratgy | 9 years ago | Reply Pakistanis are worried about anything related to Muslims that does not remotely affect them. Such as someone not getting a house in Mumbai, A women sacked for refusing to serve liquor on a flight. Burqa banned in France etc But when it comes to things such as Pakistani economy, terrorism, electricity, polio they are least bothered

UMER IJAZ | 9 years ago | Reply Good data collection and well-structured.

JP | 9 years ago | Reply Reciprocating. Look that up in a dictionary...nearest library?

hp kumar | 9 years ago you pakistani muslims should look towards indian muslims for inspiration...As far as we Hindus r concerned ,you muslims r miles behind us in achievements ..keep that in mind

Iqbal | 9 years ago That is no excuse if you are a true person. That comes from knowing the essence of faith. Not by looking up a dictionary.

kartikey mishra | 9 years ago | Reply there are many more but i know u cant explain here all that any way ...

hp kumar | 9 years ago | Reply "There are'nt any hindus who measure up to these few" lol

Ajay | 9 years ago | Reply Muslims do well like normal human being once in minority in a multi cultural society. Whenever they are in majority in an Islamic type society or Goverment, they make a mess of everything.

Pnpuri | 9 years ago | Reply Names of Mohammad rafi, talat mehmud, nargis, Suraiya, hockey players zafar Iqbal, sher afgan khan are missing

Rajiv | 9 years ago | Reply Actors, cricketrs, musicians, singers, poets and bureaucrates don't contribute to a society. They only exist in prosperous society. You won't find these people in a country which is facing problems.

Ram | 9 years ago | Reply so what is the justification for creation of Pakistan

Videlicet | 9 years ago | Reply Can a car run if you remove a wheel? Why then should we show surprise when we note that a particular wheel is spinning when the car is moving? Of course all wheels are spinning while the car progresses. All communities are expected to have their own share of entrepreneurs, artists and heroes. Some of the people here aren't people will be proud of. Md Azharuddin is one such. But there are many more great contributors who have been left out.

Human | 9 years ago | Reply Because Pakistani papers aren't biased like urs

Gratgy | 9 years ago Do they also publish a list of Hindu achievers in Pakistan

vasan | 9 years ago | Reply I agree. That is why Pakistan was created. So they should move to Pakistan if they dont want to live in India instead of demanding self rule

wb | 9 years ago | Reply Sadly, Pakistan hasn't produced as many successful Muslims as India has. If I ask you to name one businessman at par with Azim Premji in Pakistan, you will have none. Same goes with films, politics, art, music etc etc This proves that a man succeed in India no matter what his religion is, as long as he's honest. This also proves that Muslims are Muslims worst enemies. This is why Pakistani Muslims have failed where Indian Muslims have succeeded. This also destroys two nation theory as Jinnah promulgated. But this also supports two nation theory as I have suggested.

stevenson | 9 years ago Thiing is that most native Pakistanis like me don't really care about whether Indian, Sri Lankan or Burmese Muslims are or aren't doing. If they are doing fine, good for them. We only care about how people are doing in this country. Muslims on other countries from Bangladesh to Albania to Somalia have to worry about themselves but only the Muhajirs in Pakistan who have family in India are fixated on the case of Indian Muslims - for the rest of us, they are as foreign as Afghans or Sri Lankans.

vap | 9 years ago Would care to explain why muslims in India are worse of than Dalits?

pnpuri | 9 years ago | Reply 40 % Muslims In India Live in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, these states have lowest income and therefore even hindus irrespective of their castes are Poor as compared to other states. Again a large number of muslims Live in J & k, Assam ,west Bengal and Kerala. except Kerala, income of these states is in lower half as compared to other states. mohajirs primarily consist of english educated and business class. that is reason of of their riches. A majority of Muslims In India just like Muslims in Pakistan have studied in Madrassa, thus lacking knowledge of Science, Mathematics and english which is reason of their backwardness and lower income

Shubhjit Majumder | 6 years ago My dear Friend West Bengal is 4th contributor in Indian economy. Please check GDP. A wealty and rich state.GDP rank Maharastra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal and 5th is Gujrat.

Baba | 9 years ago | Reply Ridiculous is the only word that comes to mind watching this pictorial. Does this person realize many of the people featured are card carrying proud Atheists?

wb | 9 years ago | Reply I love you, man! Missed your gibberish for a while.

Sudhanshu Swami | 9 years ago | Reply You didnt include Saif ali khan, Katrina kaif, Kabir khan.

Sudhanshu Swami | 9 years ago | Reply Interesting to see that many of them have Hindu spouse, worship Hindu Gods, or studied Hindu ancient work, or are atheist, or have affiliation with BJP or have fought against Pakistan. All in all good to see them in Pakistani paper, despite of not sharing Pakistani sentiments.

Sudhanshu Swami | 9 years ago | Reply Anu malick is much better in mirza Ghalib. He can write instant sher (along with rhythmical sense). Some may argue the quality though.

OSD | 9 years ago | Reply If an Indian minister makes a controversial statement about muslims, is it the duty of Pakistan (or Pakistanis) to set him right??? I think the indian muslims are more than capable of dealing with that.

raj | 9 years ago | Reply What is a country has to do with Religion. I am unable to understand the basic psychology of Pakistani people (btw i m a Pakistani too). Why do we have to enlighten religion every time for progress. Muslims or Hindu, if you are a citizen of one country then just be a citizen without caste and creed.

Abc | 9 years ago | Reply Dear author. All these people are Indians. And so is the person who made the comment that he did. What is your concern with any of this?

Raj Rao | 9 years ago | Reply Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan is in this list. As I remember he wanted to join India not Pakistan. Only Sindh and Punjab along with Bengal were in favour of creating Pakistan. Infact, it was agitations in Bengal (Direct Action Day), which forced British to accept Partition of India. Other regions have to join Pakistan (other than above 3), though leaders of regions may not be agreeing because of the contiguous area.

Silence Speaks | 9 years ago | Reply One main point I forgot to add is his frugal savings and his give away mentality which made him the ultimate hero for the common man...if you see all the listed ones would have definitely amassed wealth in one way or the other,did what they did due to fame, money or popularity and not with selfless service...that surely sets our dear APJ apart from all..

Silence Speaks | 9 years ago | Reply It's not about just contribution...its about being humane and Down-to-earth without any air of arrogance and ability to connect with masses across all strata of society. Ofcourse his friendliness and ever-smiling face adding it's own charisma. What about integrity? Walking the talk and talking the walk...he made billions cry (across castes and religion) when he died...I don't think any other Muslim made it happen for atleast in the last 100 years if I am not wrong...he moved with the nation and moved the nation to tears...simply awe-inspiring

SK Rao | 9 years ago | Reply What crap. Is this how you divide Indians? Muslims contributions, Backward caste / SC contributions, Brahmin contributions, Christian contributions, Parsi contributions?! What mindset? And you call others communal?!

Sridhar Kaushik | 9 years ago | Reply The greatest Indian Muslim who also received Bharat Ratna is not even mentioned! Such is the caliber of this article. There is a glaring omssion of APJ Kalam who died recently and who has an iconic following in India among the younger generation.

Gujesh | 9 years ago | Reply The list is bigger than muslims who contributed towards Pakistan. And why the name of Jinnah is not there ? Without his contribution, India would not have been where it is today.

Enkay | 9 years ago | Reply 1. Saad Saud : Thank you very much. Your list is not complete as I am sure there ar hundreds - if not Thousands - of Muslims that you have missed. 2. Bweing an Indian I say "Thank you Mr. Jinnah"

G. Din | 9 years ago | Reply The whole crowd offset by just one Muslim - Aurangzeb. "None shall be forgotten; Nothing shall be forgotten."

Last Word | 9 years ago | Reply @Author Thanks for an enlightening article on noted Indian Muslims who made huge contributions in India. However, the major difference between Abdul Kalam and the ones mentioned by you is that others excelled in their respective fields but Kalam was a visionary who wanted to see India at the top of the world in all fields and spent his entire lifetime motivating children and the young generation to achieve this goal.

hnr | 9 years ago | Reply This only shows that muslims are not discriminated and if they are talented nothing stops them least of all their religion to be successful and respected.

J | 9 years ago | Reply Yes thanks to Jinnah for separate land of freedom, where we don't get kill for eating beef. But it's OK for Hindu to kill there maata and become world largest beef supplier. Forcing Muslims to become Hindu program called ghar wapsy. Muslims can't buy a house in most of India thats why they live in very old filty areas, terror groups India runs in Pakistan, over 50 ethnic groups fighting in India for freedom and safety, and so much contribution from Muslims to India what they got in return pathetic. I am glad my grandfather made a very good decision to move to Pakistan. And the list for successful Pakistani's is too long to print.

Bana Post | 9 years ago | Reply ET pls display some non-muslim legends in Pakistan& their contributions i.e Politicians’ contributions,Bureaucrats’ contribution,Actors’ contribution:Musicians and vocalists’ contribution:Poets and lyricists’ contributions:Filmmakers’ contribution:Writers and academics’ contribution:Business and entrepreneurs’ contribution:Cricketers’ contribution:Military and army contribution:

Minerva | 9 years ago | Reply All beloved Indians ... It's a shame that you forgot Rafi Saab ..

longlivepak | 9 years ago | Reply Let's hope someone will publish list of ahmedis contribution to Pakistan. And stop defacing their graves

Milind A | 9 years ago | Reply Surprised at the double standards of Pakistanis.. Some of these people especially Asghar Ali Engineer would not technically qualify as a Muslim in Pakistan, in accordance to the narrow definition of a Muslim ( Sunni of a particular sect) and would be lynched/killed in Pakistan.. However when it comes to India, all these differences evaporate and anybody who remotely looks like a Muslim is claimed as one of your own!!! Nice going!!!

Bana Post | 9 years ago | Reply One thing Pakistan media in general forget is that whether our home is in order or not.Its not then whats your moral right to publish this article. Hope my comments will be flashed this time atleast

Saad Saud | 9 years ago | Reply We dont need pakistanis to tell us who we are...and who were the people among us...first of all...we dont see APJ as a muslim or AR rahman as a muslim....they are considered as indians by indians..if 1 person has said something does not mean whole 1.25 billion have same thinking.....religious bigots need to come out of their hysteria....India is not pakistan and pakistan will and can never become india......

Vap | 9 years ago Nobody wants to become like India, not even nepal ;)

who | 9 years ago | Reply Thank you very much Saad Saud! It is a wonderful compilation and you have made your point beautifully. I know the list is only indicative and can not be exhaustive. And yet....how could you ever forget Mohammed Rafi?

runcotvs | 9 years ago | Reply Fair, if not complete, compilation but I have two issues, Saad: 1. By responding to politician Mahesh Sharma and compiling this list, you're only giving more attention to an idiot, if not some legitimacy to his statement. And he and his stupid ideas will just fade away in time. In short, "Your don't need to point at two things - brilliance and BS." And we know what or who stinks here :-) 2. Your list is good but you risk missing so many other great people, not to speak of the everyday man/woman. What about "Roshna ammi", my neighbor and mother to my best friends and the best bloody cook in the world ever and the kindest sweetheart (after my own mom, of course). What about Mr. Sadat Ali, a most enlightened man, a gentle soul, and my best ever teacher as well as being my tough, no-nonsense hockey coach? What about Baba Naqvi, the roving perfume seller and story-teller and friend of my grandfather who'd collect all the kids in the neighborhood in my remote village in South India and tell great stories from the past - stories not just from the old undivided India but from all over the world? What about the bus conductors, the office managers, the street musicians, the community organizers, the baby sitters, the shopkeepers, the scientists, the mechanics, the soldiers....? I'm not putting down your effort - kudos to your research - but how about asking Indians - Hindus like me or Muslims or sotherners, northerners, etc - what they think? One last question, although not important in the context of my argument: are you sure Yusuf Hamied is a Muslim? I read somewhere that he is Jewish. Thank you for reading.

Enkay | 9 years ago runcotvs : Dr. Hamied's Father, Khwaja Abdul Hamied, was a Muslim ad His Mother was a Jew.

who | 9 years ago Brilliant post! Yusuf Hamied's father Khwaja Abdul Hamied who founded Cipla was a UP Muslim; his mother a Lithuanian Jew. Yusuf's own preference is not known but it would be reasonable to assume he is a Muslim.

Ravi Blr | 9 years ago | Reply Is there a similar list of Hindu contributors for Pakistan?

Waron Dafe | 9 years ago | Reply It shows how secular india is, can pakistan boast of such thing about their minority.

Prakash | 9 years ago | Reply I want to thank Author for bringing the fact before the public,how can largest minority be far behind in their contribution to their motherland

Indian | 9 years ago | Reply Quoting someone out of context, without knowing the entire speech, and making a blog entry out of it. Everyone is aware of these achievers and their contributions. Such two penny comments come and go and no one even remembers, forget acknowledging them. But, alas, how can bloggers here not comment on them. Silly to try to generalize it. These individuals are respected for their talent, not because they belong to a certain religion. I am sure it did'nt take you long to compile this list. I hope next time you are able to dig a little deeper and get a list of hindu contributors to pakistan - only if they were given such opportunities by the state.

Tamil pride | 9 years ago | Reply Javed Akhtar and his children Farhan and Zoya are actually Atheists

Native of Gandhara | 9 years ago | Reply I wasn't aware that Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was actually Indian, thanks for confirming this.

Jasvinder Singh Marwaha | 9 years ago | Reply I am sure all the guys named above are Indians and not Pakistanis.

Sudhanshu Swami | 9 years ago | Reply Out of list, contribution by APJ Abdul kalam was really productive. We can add Azim Premji, Military people. Others are professionals , achieved heights in their own personal field.

Sudhanshu Swami | 9 years ago | Reply You didnt mention Sania Mirza ? Nazma heptulla, Mukhtar abbas naqvi,

FactCheck | 9 years ago | Reply Suppose there is some point to this blog.

Sudhanshu Swami | 9 years ago | Reply Many of Pakistani might have watched a Video of an Indian Girl Bashing Pakistan. They took as bashing Muslims. While if you listen carefully then you will know that only one person she praised in his poem, and he is Muslim, Abdul Hamid. Poem is not anti Muslims

Sudhanshu Swami | 9 years ago | Reply Wow, Till now I was not knowing that Anu Malik is Muslim ! It doesnt matter if one contributor is muslim or not, we love (or hate) their work keeping religion aside.

pk | 9 years ago | Reply Why even try to show to the outside world about Muslim contribution? Trying to show Muslim contribution is it self communal . As per our constitution it is Indian contribution to India.

ajeet | 9 years ago | Reply I'm waiting to see a minority PM,President or Army chief in Pakistan and it looks luke I can wait for eternity. Its definitely a proud moment for me as an Indian to da that all the people mentioned by the author had been given opportunity to make the most of their ability in a Hindu majority country and none of them had to go to Europe to seek asylum in board as ahuas, ahmedis and hazaras are doing in Pakistan

Rashid Nazir Ali | 9 years ago | Reply ET is a paper published, sold, written, and marketed in Pakistan. It is ridiculous to see so much content on India. What the hell, the Pakistan has to do with Indian matters like this. Muslims have served india big time, but can ET publish what the Muslims of India are having in return apart from harassment and killings by Hindus extremists and RSS.

Sandyboy | 9 years ago | Reply And this list is being published in a paki tabloid by a paki because???

Faulitics | 9 years ago "And this list is being published in a paki tabloid by a paki because???" Well..people have to earn their bread. Even people from Pakistan.

whatever | 9 years ago | Reply the list is a tight slap to those who thinks muslims are oppressed and not given oppurtinity to flourish in India. If you have talent a chaiwala and son of a poor muslim fisherman can hold the highest post of India. Its the secular fabric of India which gave you a such long list of successful muslims in a hindu majority country. Now waiting from pakistanis to give a list of successful minorities from your country.

DudeFromDC | 9 years ago It is not because they dont get it. They are only trained to play the victim card.

Jayman | 9 years ago | Reply The biggest contributor to the nation of India was Shri.Jinnah. I will forever be grateful to him.

Kaushal | 9 years ago Strange but true as more and more Indians are appreciating Mr Jinnah for his contribution and sacrifices he made for sake of his motherland. He single handedly did which could not be done by Gandhi and Nehru cabal. Indians should instal his statue on main border posts with Pakistan. with Quaid point toward Pakistan but looking back at India with wink & smile.

Rajiv | 9 years ago Without his Two nation theory India would be facing many more problems.

Faulitics | 9 years ago Absolutely! India would today be a fourth world country with no hope for a future if Jinnah had not done what he did. He should be on the top of this list.

miristan | 9 years ago | Reply There are approximately 150 million Muslims are Indian citizen. There is extreme discrimination against them where jobs are allocated. They are allowed to become teachers or professors. They have been discriminated in housing communities. They cannot eat as per their wishes. Now it is time they have to know what is freedom ? One hindered and fifty million is big number. They must demand self rule in Muslim populated states under united States of India.

Ax | 9 years ago And Pakistan is showing people what is freedom? And how self rule has brought great peace of mind and prosperity to its people! Really? LOL!

DudeFromDC | 9 years ago Don't you think thats far more applicable to your country?

jay | 9 years ago | Reply how about an article about Hindu contribution in Pakistan? are there any Hindus left in Pak? Indian Muslims are the only hope left for the entire Muslims world. they are better educated than most Muslims. Indian ness has rubbed on all Indian Muslims. we are not only proud of them but also look up to them to show the entire Muslim world the right path.

Chopra TP | 9 years ago | Reply Problem is not the people but the ideology of Islam. It is extremist, nihilistic, intolerant, medieval and anti everyone else. People follow the ideology to varying extents and hence excel at things like music & acting which are considered against Islam by many muslims especially for women. And this extent of following the ideology depends on where they live. In a secular, diverse society like India the hardliners of Islam have less power & the detrimental effects are relatively limited. Although not completely mitigated, as seen by the general backwardness of Muslims on an average in education and related effects like low participation of women in workforce, high birthrate etc. Also the constant drumbeat of terror acts that muslims are involved in India as well as around the world where ever they live. In a Place like Pakistan and middle east the effects are concentrated & it produces extremists by the millions. Just one terrorist LeT/JuD has had 500K people that have gone through at least its preliminary course. Of course they all aren't committing terror acts all times but they are ready recruits if need arises. Also they are the disruptive elements in the society that oppose everything from girls education to lynchings of minorities in Pakistan to burning whole villages of Christians.

Supriya Arcot | 9 years ago | Reply There are truckloads more - all equally cherished and loved . Don't demean this community by naming just these many.

Feroz | 9 years ago | Reply Every Indian has contributed to making India what it is, no one here talks about contributions in terms of caste, religion, ethnicity or gender. From the top most post of PM to those much lower, minorities have occupied all of them. This is not an achievement or appeasement of anybody. Any Indian can aspire for any job and succeed with the right effort and conviction.

wb | 9 years ago | Reply If anything, this (shallow) blog should be a lesson to Pakistanis that why India has produced more successful and popular achievers among Muslims in every field and why Pakistan has failed to do the same in pretty much every field. And every Indian must say: "Thank you Jinnah for two nation theory." One for reasonable progressive people and one for illogical, failed, regressive people.

JP | 9 years ago There are'nt any hindus who measure up to these few. None come mind. Zero, Zilch, Nada,..Ohh! The Mahatma ! The one and only Mahatma. Can't think of anyone else...Depika? After 1200 years of Muslim rule, hindus are STILL not up to par. Consider another 1200 years of confidence building. Don't worry. Patience is a virtue. You all can do it.

RameshHeg | 9 years ago If there is one place where tolerant, peaceful Islam can thrive in the entire world it is in India. Thank you Jinnah indeed:-)

Usmani | 9 years ago That's a very subjective statement. Pakistan has produced many successful individuals too, more so than the Muslim Indian community, afterall we're a country so there should be no comparison, it's great a good number of Indian Muslims have succeeded in India facing adversary but it doesn't change the fact Indian Muslims have the lowest per capita there and Pakistan has roughly the same per capita income as India (couple hundred $$$ less) so for all practical purposes Pakistanis are financially better off than Indian Muslims despite there being some token Muslim names in every other field over there. Statistics back up my statement, 'Mohajirs' in Pakistan have the highest per capita income in the whole country (Rs.15,000 more than Punjabis) yet Indian Muslims are the poorest in India comparable to Dalits.

Amit Lunia | 9 years ago | Reply there are a few more you forgot, but had enriched us Nargis, Amin Sayani, Mahmood, may be many more

Amit Lunia | 9 years ago | Reply Thanks, having so much in depth knowledge about India

MIM | 9 years ago | Reply Nice try ET but these are Indians before Muslims!

Manish B | 9 years ago | Reply Agree, many many Muslim freedom fighter, leaders, scientist, engineers, musicians, martyrs did contribute hugely to India. No one can replace them and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam (The people President) has his own place in history and India. What is the point of this article? P.S. Anu Malik? really? His contribution was noting more than copying music from the west and adding Indian masala to it.

Gautam | 9 years ago | Reply We are proud and forever grateful as a nation for the great contributions made by sons of this towards the development of our country. However, they shall not be separated according to their religion; to us they are Indians first and Muslims second. Culture Minister Mahesh sharma (a retard) in his zeal to pay tribute to Dr. APJ Kalam, made a stupid statement that hurt our sentiment and hence the reaction by the Indian society.

DudeFromDC | 9 years ago Well.. as a minister he shouldn't have made that statement and is retarded at that. But there is a valid point behind his statement. Muslims ( not everyone of course) even in India consider Indian history started from Babar. Honourable APJ Kalam didn't and he was proud of his motherland's history the way it is. Then again, most Muslims I know are. I am from Kerala. Here we go to mosques for Eid ( they have the best biriyani) and we all go to churches and temples for their annual festivals.. India is not just about some screwed up Northern Indian states.

Urvashi | 9 years ago | Reply Excellent but faulty on one point. The list is lopsided. You left out outstanding Muslims who have excelled in the field of education and Science and Mathematics. There is the young Prof Shiraz Minwalla at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai. He is making waves in the field of Hige Energy Physics. Prof. Obaid Siddiqui was an outstanding biologist. N Fakhruddin is a well known mathematician working in Algebraic geometry. Syed Hasan is another well known name in theoretical Physics. Professor S Hasnain is a famous name in Biological Sciences in IIT Delhi. The list goes on and on. In fact, India can boast of the maximum number of Scientistsintellectuals from Muslim community anywhere in the world. I have left out the names from Space research and other areas. And India is proud of them, as they are proud of their country too.

Rasika | 9 years ago Not to mention the king who facilitated the first rocket missile to fight the British. Tipu Sultan of Karnataka. He is celebrated by NASA, and he was equally known for his broad mindedness. He took great care of many temples and monasteries.

Salma | 9 years ago The Muslim community is eager to progress faster and contribute even more to the society. In fact, it rejected the offer of 15% reservations soon after independence. If only short sighted self styled so called leaders of the community leave us alone and not try to take us back to medieval periods? Especially women are very aspiring, but are held back by religious leaders.

Milind A | 9 years ago | Reply Do you know the reason for their success? 1. They do not flaunt their faith in your face, nor do they judge anybody on faith. 2. They do not carry a strict notion/rigid dogma of their faith and able to discard baggage that runs contrary to modernity (Azim Premji is close to being an atheist.. he believes in work as God) Overall blog is good and should be an eye-opener to most Pakis full of sob-stories on how Muslims are oppressed or do not make it big in India...

Sid | 9 years ago | Reply Thanks Saad. And India is very grateful for the contributions of it's muslims brethren. There are sometimes black sheep who bring bad name to whole community by being intolerant, and black always stands out louder than majority whites. Rest assured, from where I am, the city of Mumbai, we, Hindus and Muslims are living much in peace and harmony and have been by each other sides through difficult time. The only black spot on Mumbai's secular history was Bombay riot of 92 which was a huge shock to mumbaiites itself. But what can a common men do against the people holding swords and sickles ? Hope the founding fathers had worked harder on making the region more secular and had eliminated every religiously extreme right group of peoples. Today we would have had a better life and future.

Bana | 9 years ago | Reply whats the message of the the above article author wish to convey ? .Is tit to tat to Mahesh Sharma ? Nothing but Communalism. The above are Indian legends belonged to different realms and they are well known to the common man. Who is Mahesh Sharma ? We have minority Do you have minority(a progressive minority communities in terms of population) in Pakistan to display similar list? Valid comments are welcomed rather than bashing India RSS and Mr.Narendra Modi

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