Year 2011

• Person of the Year-: o Anna Hazare  There was one man who dominated headlines this year - first for bringing an able (if one could say that) government to its knees, then for getting the nation to take to the streets to lament the inability of the government to do anything right, then for rifts in his paradise, then for - you get the drift. Anna Hazare was to the nation what not many have been since Gandhi - a prayer, a song, a war cry, a beacon of hope and arguably, India's last chance at bringing back Gandhian ideals. Whether his movement against corruption will have the last laugh is still a question, but he's the singular exemplar that nothing is impossible in a nation of uncertainty. • Sports Man of the Year o Sachin Tendulakar  Is there any surprise here? Sachin might well be the sportsperson of the decade, if not the last two decades and indeed, for a better part of this millennium for India. As compatriot and starry-eyed fellow player Virat Kohli put it, for the better part of 20 years, Sachin has carried the burden of a nation's expectation on his shoulders alone. For having inspired a nation to put aside its religious, linguistic and other like divides aside every time he picks up the willow and takes centrestage on the cricket ground, Sachin Tendulkar, teen prodigy turned the player who defines the 'gentleman' part of the gentleman's game, is this year's sportsperson of the year, his elusive 100th ton aside. • Celeb of the Year o Katrina Kaif  Katrina Kaif, a British-Indian actress and model, has tasted success with films like Namastey London, New York, Rajneeti, and Welcome. The glamorous actress shot to fame this year with her sizzling performance in an item number, in her movie Tees Maar Khan. ‘Sheila ki jawani’ literally rocked the nation, giving a complete makeover to the British-Indian’s image, as well as stiff competition to Bebo, Priyanka Chopra and many others in the industry. Success apart, the star has also been in the news for rumours of flings with her with co-stars. However, Katrina has chosen to stay mum, whether about her split with Salman Khan or her alleged relationship with Ranbir Kapoor. • Words of the Year o Lokpal Bill  Anna Hazare, anti-corruption and the Lokpal Bill – three words that have been synonymous with each other this past year, and three words that have been on the lips of every Indian. The Lokpal bill targets the corruption that has permeated all ranks of government, and aims at addressing citizen grievances and protecting the interests of whistle-blowers. Literally translated, Lokpal means “protector of the people.” If passed, the bill will lead to the creation of a citizen’s ombudsman body, that is independent of existing bureaucracy, and can investigate any complaints of corruption without prior government approval. How this story ends is yet to be seen, but we expect to hear a lot more of the Lokpal Bill in 2012. • Event of the Year o Cricket world cup 2011  Without doubt, the Cricket World Cup wins this one. Co-hosted by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the World Cup eclipsed every other event between the 19th of February and the 2nd of April this year. The fact that India won the Cup on home soil was the perfect icing on the cake. Images of Sachin being carried on the shoulders of the Indian team will be etched forever in the memories of this generation. As will the euphoria of that night, as revelers poured into the streets dancing, united by joy and shared nationality. • Gadget of the Year o Samsung Galaxy Tab  With the tablet’s popularity skyrocketing this year, it is the Samsung Galaxy Tab that we have to thank for bringing Android into the tablet market. Lighter, slimmer and with a smaller footprint that most of its competitors, the Galaxy Tab manages to strike the right balance between e-book reader and 10-inch tablet that's perfect for watching movies. With many interesting perks and new features, the Galaxy Tab has more than given Apple a run for its money; it has quickly taken over top spot. • Movie of the Year o Murder - 2  We live in an era where brand and franchise have become the order of the day. Although Murder was released seven years ago, it continues to linger in public memory, not only for its sizzle but for its edge-of-seat entertainment. The sequel successfully carries the Murder brand another step forward. This time around, the director has brought back the movie with a whole new cast. Compared to what Anurag Basu did in Murder, Murder 2 is darker, more erotic and bolder. The plot is well delivered, with characters used to the fullest. To sum it up, Mohit Suri has made a remarkable effort in taking forward the success of Anurag Basu’s Murder. • Lifestyle term of the Year o Yoga  Yoga is undoubtedly the ‘in’ thing today. Gone are the days when people ran on treadmills and spent hours puffing and panting. The mantra for fitness has migrated over the years from the pricey gyms to silent yoga centres under thatched roofs. The trend was triggered after Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor attributed Suryanamaskaras for her ‘size zero’ figure. Not only does yoga help you get in shape, it also lets the mind relax and relieves stress. Daily exercises of yoga will also help in better breathing, provide flexibility and inner peace. It is a trend that has caught the imagination of celebs, youngsters and adults alik. 