Sunil Hali
At The Indian Eye, journalism has always been about more than recording events. It is about recognising impact — identifying the individuals whose actions shape public life, influence national direction, and leave a lasting imprint on society. That belief is at the heart of our Persons of the Year edition. We created this special issue to honour those who did not merely occupy positions of authority in 2025, but truly made a difference.
The year just gone by was one of intensity and consequence. India witnessed defining moments across governance, national security, diplomacy, science, culture, and sport. In such a year, we felt it was essential to pause, reflect, and acknowledge the people behind those moments — leaders, professionals, and pathbreakers whose work altered outcomes and inspired confidence. This edition is our attempt to capture that spirit, moving beyond headlines to document substance, courage, and contribution.
Putting together this list was neither quick nor casual. Our editorial board debated extensively, examined data, revisited major events, and weighed public impact against long-term significance. The process involved rigorous internal discussions, multiple drafts, and a clear guiding principle: recognition must be earned through measurable influence and integrity of action. Each profile was researched and written with care, focusing not on personality alone but on performance, context, and consequence. We wanted these stories to stand as records, not impressions.
At the centre of this edition stands Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom we have named Person of the Year. This choice was neither ideological nor automatic. It was grounded in the sheer scale of his influence on India’s trajectory in 2025. From landmark economic and governance reforms to decisive leadership during Operation Sindoor, from advancing India’s global diplomatic stature to presiding over historic milestones in space, sport, and culture, Modi’s imprint on the year was comprehensive. Few leaders anywhere matched the breadth and depth of his impact.
Equally important was the confidence India projected under his leadership — a nation acting with clarity, purpose, and self-belief. Whether in national security, global negotiations, or cultural assertion, 2025 reinforced Modi’s role as the central figure in India’s public life.
This Persons of the Year edition is our tribute to leadership that mattered. It reflects The Indian Eye’s commitment to thoughtful journalism — to recognising those who shaped the year, and to telling their stories with fairness, context, and respect.
Sunil Hali is publisher of The Indian EYE Daily and Weekly