"There have been topical films like A Wednesday, Aamir (which did demonise Muslims a bit but was very good on the whole) and Mumbai Meri Jaan."
—Shyam Benegal, Film director
"Balika Vadhu on Colours, the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, Obama’s speechon race."
—Sevanti Ninan, TV critic
"The plethora of new and immensely talented Indian designers fearlessly showing the way ahead. It’s heartening to see that the old is making space for the new."
—David Abraham, Fashion designer
"Abhinav Bindra’s gold in Beijing. And Anand, who is now world champ in every category and would certainly have given us a gold ifchess had been an Olympic sport."
—Harsha Bhogle, Sports commentator
"For sheer entertainment, it would have to be Sarah Palin’s quotes, and Tina Fey’s genius impersonations of her. I still watch them online when I’m bored!"
—Anoushka Shankar, Musician
"The ICCR-organised Year of Russia in India 2008, which concluded with the splendid Faberge exhibition of precious jewellery of the Russian Empire and a stunning ballet performance."
—Pavan K. Verma, D-G, ICCR
"The positive stories about the NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) implementation. And the Right to Education bill that’s just been introduced in theRajya Sabha."
—Shantha Sinha, Magsaysay awardee
"Bollywood. Bad films did so well because they were loud, well-publicised. They show little understanding of Indian issues."
—Shiv Visvanathan, Social scientist
