Maqbool Fida Husain, commonly known as M. F. Husain, was a prolific and iconic Indian painter born in 1915. Renowned as the "Picasso of India," he is celebrated for his dynamic and colorful works that blend traditional Indian art with modernist styles. His oeuvre spans a wide range of subjects, with a particular emphasis on themes from Indian mythology, culture, and social issues. With a career that extended over six decades, Husain's contributions to the world of art continue to be highly regarded, and his legacy remains a significant influence on contemporary Indian art.

Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer and cultural icon known for his extraordinary skill, charisma, and unwavering commitment to social justice. Rising to prominence as a heavyweight champion with his fast footwork and powerful punches, Ali won Olympic gold in 1960 and became the world heavyweight champion in 1964 after defeating Sonny Liston. Famous for his bold personality and poetic trash talk, he coined phrases like “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” Beyond the ring, Ali stood firm against racial discrimination and the Vietnam War, refusing military induction and facing legal battles that made him a symbol of resistance and conviction. Throughout his career, he won the heavyweight title three times, engaged in legendary bouts such as the “Fight of the Century” and “Thrilla in Manila,” and left an indelible mark on sports and society. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease later in life, Ali remained an inspiring figure until his passing in 2016, remembered as “The Greatest” both inside and outside the ring.

Mother Teresa (born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, then part of the Ottoman Empire) was an Albanian-Indian nun and missionary whose compassionate work with the poorest of the poor made her a global symbol of humanitarian service. At age 18 she joined the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Ireland and later moved to India, where she taught at a girls’ school in Calcutta. In 1950 she founded the Missionaries of Charity, a congregation dedicated to serving “the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society.” Under her guidance, the order established hospices, shelters, and clinics that provided free care for the destitute and dying. Recognized worldwide for her selfless devotion, she received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Even after her health declined, she continued to embody relentless compassion until her death on September 5, 1997, in Kolkata. Canonized as Saint Teresa of Calcutta in 2016, her legacy endures in the ongoing work of the Missionaries of Charity and in inspiring millions to serve the marginalized.

My belt holds my pants up, but the belt loops hold my belt up. I don't really know what's happening down there. Who is the real hero? Mitch Hedberg I'm…

To be empathetic to everyone around you, I think, is such a powerful thing to hold. Misty Copeland I think body-image issues are not just a dancer thing. I think…

Mike Tyson (born June 30, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York) is a former American professional boxer known for his ferocious power, intimidating presence, and rapid rise to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history at age 20. Growing up in a tough neighborhood, Tyson overcame a troubled youth and found discipline and focus in boxing under trainer Cus D’Amato. His explosive style and knockout ability dominated the late 1980s, earning him the nickname “Iron Mike.” Tyson unified the heavyweight titles and became one of the sport’s most feared champions. Despite his success, his career was marked by controversy, including legal troubles and a prison sentence. After his release, Tyson made several comebacks, evolving into a cultural icon known for his candid personality and appearances in entertainment. His complex legacy combines unparalleled athletic achievement with personal struggles and reinvention.

No one should be harassed or mistreated because of who they are, who they love, or what they believe. Mike Pence I truly believe that firearms in the hands of…

You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it's important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages.…

The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark. Michelangelo…

Marriage is like a cage; one sees the birds outside desperate to get in, and those inside equally desperate to get out. Michel de Montaigne I have never seen a…

Michael Jordan (born February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York) is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time. Rising from a competitive youth in Wilmington, North Carolina, he starred at the University of North Carolina before being drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1984. Known for his extraordinary scoring ability, defensive prowess, and relentless competitiveness, Jordan led the Bulls to six NBA championships in the 1990s, earning five MVP awards and becoming a global sports icon. Beyond basketball, he revolutionized athlete branding with his Air Jordan sneaker line and became a successful businessman and team owner. His impact transcends the court, inspiring generations with his work ethic, clutch performances, and dedication to excellence.

Well, we have to provide the world's best schools. We certainly don't have them, but that's our objective. Michael Bloomberg I am what I am and, you know, I'm a…

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Maya Angelou I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what…

It's very important to write things down instantly, or you can lose the way you were thinking out a line. I have a rule that if I wake up at…

Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister and civil rights leader whose dedication to nonviolent protest and moral courage transformed the struggle for racial equality. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, to a family steeped in Christian ministry, he earned a doctorate in systematic theology from Boston University and, in 1954, became pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. There he rose to prominence by leading the 1955–56 Montgomery Bus Boycott, which ended legal segregation on public transportation. As cofounder and first president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, King organized peaceful demonstrations, sit-ins, and marches, culminating in the 1963 March on Washington where he delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. His advocacy led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, landmark legislation that dismantled institutionalized segregation and secured voting rights for African Americans. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, King continued to champion economic justice and an end to the Vietnam War until his assassination in 1968. His enduring legacy of nonviolence, eloquence, and unwavering faith remains a guiding light in the ongoing pursuit of social justice.

The will is a beast of burden. If God mounts it, it wishes and goes as God wills; if Satan mounts it, it wishes and goes as Satan wills; Nor…

The body is a sacred garment. Martha Graham You are unique, and if that is not fulfilled, then something has been lost. Martha Graham To me, a building - if…

Mark Zuckerberg (born May 14, 1984, in White Plains, New York) is an American entrepreneur and co-founder of Facebook, the world’s largest social networking platform. Raised in Dobbs Ferry, New York, Zuckerberg displayed early talent in programming and computer science, attending Harvard University where he launched “Thefacebook” in 2004 alongside classmates. The platform quickly expanded beyond college campuses, transforming how billions connect, share, and communicate online. As CEO, Zuckerberg guided Facebook through rapid growth, acquisitions like Instagram and WhatsApp, and ongoing challenges related to privacy and misinformation. Beyond his business pursuits, he and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have committed significant resources to philanthropy through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, focusing on education, science, and justice reform. Zuckerberg’s impact on technology and social media has fundamentally reshaped global communication and digital culture.

Mark Twain (born Samuel Langhorne Clemens on November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910) was an American writer, humorist, and social critic whose vivid storytelling and sharp wit captured the spirit of 19th-century America. Raised along the Mississippi River, Twain drew on his childhood experiences to create enduring classics such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which blend humor, adventure, and pointed commentary on race and society. Known for his distinctive voice and skepticism toward social injustices, Twain’s essays and lectures often challenged prevailing attitudes on imperialism, religion, and human folly. His keen observations and accessible style made him one of the most beloved figures in American literature, whose influence continues to resonate worldwide.

I'm selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I'm out of control, and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then…

All my life through, the new sights of Nature made me rejoice like a child. Marie Curie Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.…

Some men know that a light touch of the tongue, running from a woman's toes to her ears, lingering in the softest way possible in various places in between, given…

Maria Sharapova (born April 19, 1987, in Nyagan, Russia) is a former professional tennis player known for her powerful game and fierce competitiveness. Moving to the United States at a young age to train, she quickly rose through the junior ranks, turning pro in 2001. Sharapova captured international attention by winning Wimbledon in 2004 at just 17 years old, becoming one of the youngest Grand Slam champions in history. Over her career, she won five Grand Slam singles titles, including the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open, completing a career Grand Slam. Known for her strong baseline play and mental toughness, she became a global sports icon and successful businesswoman, endorsing major brands and launching her own candy company. Despite facing challenges including injuries and a suspension in 2016, Sharapova retired in 2020, leaving a legacy as one of tennis’s most accomplished and marketable stars.

Joy, feeling one's own value, being appreciated and loved by others, feeling useful and capable of production are all factors of enormous value for the human soul. Maria Montessori The…

Plan your work for today and every day, then work your plan. Margaret Thatcher Power is like being a lady... if you have to tell people you are, you aren't.…

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead Prayer does not use up artificial…

If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. Marcus Tullius Cicero Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the…

Africa for the Africans... at home and abroad! Marcus Garvey God and Nature first made us what we are, and then out of our own created genius we make ourselves…

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love. Marcus Aurelius The happiness…

The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. Marcel Proust Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the…

Mao Zedong (December 26, 1893 – September 9, 1976) was a Chinese revolutionary leader and founding father of the People’s Republic of China whose political and military strategies reshaped the course of 20th-century China. Born into a peasant family in Shaoshan, Hunan, he became a voracious student of Marxist theory while working as a librarian in Beijing and later helped establish the Chinese Communist Party in 1921. As a key strategist of the Red Army, Mao orchestrated the Long March (1934–1935), an epic retreat that preserved the Communist forces and cemented his leadership. After forging an uneasy alliance with the Kuomintang to repel Japanese invaders in the 1930s and ’40s, he led his forces to victory in the civil war and proclaimed the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949. In the early 1950s, Mao implemented sweeping land reforms and nationalized industry, but his radical economic campaigns—most notably the Great Leap Forward (1958–1962)—triggered one of history’s worst famines. In 1966 he launched the Cultural Revolution, mobilizing youth into Red Guard units to root out “counter-revolutionary” elements, a decade-long upheaval that devastated cultural institutions and led to widespread persecution before subsiding with his declining health. Despite the controversies of his later campaigns, Mao’s doctrine of continuous revolution and his melding of guerrilla warfare with Marxist ideology left an enduring imprint on global communism. He died in Beijing in 1976, and though his legacy remains deeply contested—celebrated for unifying China and establishing its modern state apparatus, yet criticized for the human cost of his policies—Mao continues to be a towering figure in Chinese history.

Malcolm X (born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska) emerged from a turbulent childhood marked by his father’s murder and his family’s hardships to become one of the most influential Black leaders in American history. After encountering racism in foster care and brushes with the law that led to a prison sentence, he underwent a profound transformation by converting to the Nation of Islam under the guidance of Elijah Muhammad. As a charismatic minister and national spokesperson, he advocated for Black self-reliance, pride, and human rights, sharply critiquing systemic oppression and urging African Americans to assert their dignity “by any means necessary.” In 1964, disillusioned by the Nation of Islam’s leadership, he made a pilgrimage to Mecca, embraced Sunni Islam, and broadened his vision to include global solidarity against racial injustice. His autobiography, co-written with Alex Haley, became a seminal account of personal redemption and social critique. On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated while speaking at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City, but his evolving philosophy—from separatist rhetoric to a more inclusive human-rights framework—and his unwavering commitment to justice continue to inspire movements for equality worldwide.

I speak not for myself but for those without voice... those who have fought for their rights... their right to live in peace, their right to be treated with dignity,…

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Maimonides The risk of a wrong…

Mahatma Gandhi (born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, India) was a lawyer turned revolutionary leader whose unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance reshaped the course of India’s struggle for independence and inspired global movements for civil rights. After studying law in London, he practiced in South Africa, where he first organized Indian communities against discriminatory laws through satyagraha (truth-force). Returning to India in 1915, he became a central figure in the Indian National Congress, leading landmark campaigns such as the Noncooperation Movement (1920–22), the Salt March (1930), and the Quit India Movement (1942), all grounded in civil disobedience and mass nonviolence. His principled stance against British colonial rule, emphasis on self-reliance (khadi spinning), and efforts toward Hindu–Muslim unity earned him the honorific “Mahatma” (great soul). After India achieved independence in 1947, he worked tirelessly to heal the wounds of partition and promote social reforms. On January 30, 1948, he was assassinated by Nathuram Godse—widely regarded as the first terrorist of independent India—ending a life dedicated to peaceful resistance and inclusivity.

Mae West (August 17, 1893 – November 22, 1980) was an iconic American actress, singer, playwright, and sex symbol known for her bold wit, sultry persona, and boundary-pushing humor. Beginning her career in vaudeville and on Broadway, West became a Hollywood legend in the 1930s with films like She Done Him Wrong and I'm No Angel, where her clever double entendres and confident sexuality challenged social norms and censorship. Her flamboyant style and memorable one-liners—such as “When I’m good, I’m very good, but when I’m bad, I’m better”—made her a cultural icon and a trailblazer for women’s empowerment in entertainment. West continued performing on stage and screen for decades, influencing generations of comedians and performers with her unapologetic charm and fearless approach to taboo subjects.

Science provides an understanding of a universal experience. Arts provide a universal understanding of a personal experience. Mae Jemison You have to actually be weighted to something to do the…