70 years innovator, entrepreneur and policymaker Sam Pitroda( full name is Mr Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda) was on the list of strong contender for India’s next president. He is from Titlagarh, Odisha. Currently he is the Advisor of Indian Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure & Innovations. He is also widely considered to have been responsible for India’s communications revolution.
In 2005–2008, he worked as Chairman of the National Knowledge Commission, a high-level advisory body to the Prime Minister of India, set up to give policy recommendations for improving knowledge related institutions and infrastructure in the country. During his term, the National Knowledge Commission submitted around 300 recommendations on 27 focus areas covering a range of aspects of the knowledge paradigm.Best Awards
- In 2011, World Telecommunication and Information Society award by International Telecommunication Union in Geneva
- In 1999, "Lifetime Achievement Peace and Tolerance Award" of the United Nations.
- In 2001, Padma Vibhushan in 2001