Indians have made the country proud world-over having excelled as scientists, doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs and actors. India has a rich culture and a distinguished history, whose legacy stands tall even today. As a proud nation of a billion celebrates its 60th Republic Day, here's a look at what makes India so special...

Incredible India Inc - Indian entrepreneurs hold top positions in several multi- national companies. It's said that four out of the ten start-ups in the Silicon Valley are run by Indians. Indians are the richest Immigrant class in the US. Also, the number of companies listed in the Bombay Stock Exchange is more than 6000, second to only US's New York Stock exchange.

Fascinating film fraternity - Indian tinsel town is singing praises of A R Rahman, who has got a nod for the Oscars. And the movie 'Slumdog Millionaire' with world- class music, an Indian cast and based on an Indian theme, doing exceptionally well in the international circuit, it's time more Indian films to get the recognition they deserve. We are way ahead of Hollywood in the numbers game, with more that 800 movies being churned out each year in India.

A nation in gold - Can you imagine an Indian wedding without the bride being decked up in all the gold ornaments? Indians consume a fifth of the world's total gold output and the percentage is increasing by the day.

Pretty 'desi' damsels - From Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen to Lara Dutta, Diana Hayden, to runner up Parvathy Omanakuttan, Indian damsels have won six Miss World/Miss Universe beauty pageant titles in the last decade, way ahead of the rest of the world. Former Miss World and Bollywood actress, Aishwarya Rai’s eyes have also been voted as the sexiest eyes in the World.

Remarkable Indian Railways - From the proposed bullet trains, to the passenger and goods trains, the Indian Railways, is one massive network serving the nation. This makes the Indian Railways, which employs more than a million people, the largest employer in the world.

Peaceful yet prepared - For peace, we stand. In an eventful history, India's among the few in the World who have never invaded nor plundered the wealth of any other country. Always on the vigil, the current Indian army is the third-largest in the World with a strong contingent of 1.5 million.

Striking strides in sports - Indian sportspersons have made the country proud on several occasions. Some recent laurels include Abhinav Bindra's gold at the Olympics, MS Dhoni's boys winning cricket's inaugural 20twenty World Cup and Vishwanathan Anand retaining his FIDE World Chess Champion title.

Marked in mathematics - The number zero, was perhaps, India's best ever gift to mathematics. And over the centuries, Indians have shone in many areas of research in mathematics. From Srinivasa Ramanujan to the human computer Shakuntala Devi, the list is endless.

Medical marvels - India's contribution to the field medicine dates back to the 6th century BC when saint Sushruta, compiled a book with his findings about medicines and their uses and methods for surgery. And over the last couple of decades, the alternate stream of medicine, Ayurveda, has become one of the most sought medical streams across the world.