'Orkut' is Pepsi

Mumbai, Aug 23 (UNI) ''Orkut'', the biggest youth social networking forum, has emerged as the winner of the ''Pepsi&MTV Youth Icon 2007'' with the film ''Rang De Basanti'' coming in a close second.

The other nominees this year included Bollywood heart-throb Abhishek Bachchan and Multimedia Cell Phones. The past winners include Mahendra Singh Dhoni (2006), Shahrukh Khan (2005), Rahul Dravid (2004) and Anil Ambani (2003).

Named after Orkut Buyukkokten, its Turkish creator, Orkut was launched in early 2004. Orkut is the biggest youth social networking forum run by Google that helps users meet new friends and keep up with the old ones.

Accepting the award for Orkut users, Google product manager Manu Rekhi said, ''This award is a testimony to the spirit of Indian youth and their eagerness to connect and express themselves with freedom and enthusiasm.'' MTV India general manager Ashish Patil said, ''India's the land of the young with 50 per cent of our population below 25 years. Pepsi MTV Youth Icon is the platform that celebrates the heroes of the young.'' UNI