Who Is the Second Most Admired Man in India? A Barstool Debate with Friends

I still remember the night we sat at our usual bar in Mumbai, debating over a round of cold beers—who’s the second most admired man in India? The first spot? Easy. No argument there. Narendra Modi has topped the rankings for years, whether you love him or not. But the second? Now that’s where things got interesting.
The Night of the Big Debate
It started with my friend Rohit slamming his glass down. "It's Sachin Tendulkar, man! Who else? The God of Cricket! You remember 2011? The World Cup win? Wankhede Stadium chanting his name? That was religion!"
I laughed, shaking my head. "Dude, I get it. But India has moved on. Cricket is still huge, but what about Ratan Tata? The guy is practically a saint in the business world. Philanthropy, innovation, respect—he's given more than most politicians combined."
Our friend Aditi, always the history buff, jumped in. "You guys are thinking too small. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is still one of the most admired Indians of all time. Even in 2023, years after his passing, people see him as the People's President. Science, education, integrity—he was the full package!"
The conversation went on for hours. And trust me, we weren’t the only ones having this debate.
What Do the Numbers Say?
Every year, YouGov releases its list of the most admired men in the world, and India always has a strong showing. In the 2023 rankings:
- Narendra Modi took the top Indian spot (and was 5th worldwide).
- Ratan Tata came in strong, with admiration across all generations.
- Sachin Tendulkar remained a beloved sports icon.
- Shah Rukh Khan, the King of Bollywood, kept his global fanbase alive.
Kalam, even posthumously, continued to receive admiration. But depending on who you ask, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, or even a figure like Mukesh Ambani could sneak into that second place.
The Emotional Side of Admiration
I remember being in the crowd at an SRK movie premiere in Mumbai. The man just walked out of his car, waved, and the streets erupted. It wasn’t just about movies—it was devotion. The kind of admiration you don’t manufacture.
And then there’s Tata. I once met an old auto-rickshaw driver who told me, "Baba, if Tata makes it, I trust it. He’s not just a businessman; he’s our guardian." That hit different. How many billionaires inspire that kind of loyalty?
Or Sachin—oh man, 2013, his last match. I was glued to the TV, just like millions of Indians, watching as he walked off the pitch one last time. A nation cried that day.
So Who Really Takes Second Place?
Honestly? It depends. Admiration is personal. If you ask a kid today, they might say Virat Kohli. A business school student? Ratan Tata. A space enthusiast? Kalam. A Bollywood lover? Shah Rukh Khan.
And that’s what makes this debate fun. Because no matter who you choose, you're celebrating greatness.
So tell me, who’s your pick for India’s second most admired man? Let’s get another round and keep the conversation going.
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Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
---|---|---|
14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.