An Inquiry Into the Characteristics of Entrepreneurship in India.

INTRODUCTION A recent hit Hindi film, "Chak De India," about a disgraced soccer star who returns to coach a diverse group of Indian women, and inspires them to win the World Cup, captures the pulse of a new India. The term "Chak De," which means "to pick up something that is down," is rural Punjabi slang used to encourage somebody to rise from adversity--it is a term that applies to the New India. This new India, like the coach in the film, has many inspiring figures--ones that have worked hard to achieve global success. There have been several architects of this new India--with five larger-than-life entrepreneurial leaders that are particularly notable.