An interactive panel discussion organised by the CNN-IBN in Bangalore on Tuesday as part of its ‘Indian of the Year Award - 2007’ saw the participation of some of the country’s top achievers in the fields of politics, academics, entertainment, business, medicine and sports who gave their verdict on what it takes to be a youth icon in a country like India.

Politician B Jay Panda opined that youth icons could emerge from the political scene and that youngsters need to give a second look at the political system in the country and be an active part of the electoral franchise.

City-based orthopaedic surgeon Dr Sharan Shivraj Patil, who was recently in the news for performing a miraculous surgery which gave the eight limbed baby Lakshmi a new lease of life said, that a person with integrity and one who shapes the society, should be a youth icon.

 “He or she could be from any where in India,” he said.

“There are thousands of doctors, who serve the society in rural areas but they are deprived of any recognition.”

Kingfisher Airlines Vice Chairman Capt G R Gopinath said that on the political front, a majority of leaders lacked integrity and that more honest politicians were needed to take the country forward. For cricketer Murali Karthik, a youth icon could be any one and not necessarily someone who is involved in social service or one whose works are recognised by the society.

“A number of cricketers are involved in social service but they are not recognised because they do not do it in the limelight. It does not mean that they play just for money and fame and are not icons,” he said. The session was moderated by CNN-IBN editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai.