What good fortune to have lived during the time when Noam Chomsky has made himself available, as a teacher and guide, to innumerable people. Thank you, Noam. You are the finest hero imaginable.

Noam chomsky is definitely a hero of our times. His contributions in various fields are awesome. His sympathy towards the underdog and un-compromised dissent towards all kinds of hegemonic structures are adorable traits for the youth , forward looking individuals and groups across the globe. He is a rare personality blessed with eternal youth perpetually experimenting with truth. I wish him at least two more decades of productive life span so that he can continue his contributions to save the mankind from impending perils. We wish this living legend many many happy returns of the day...
-mahanty

We few anarchists in Nepal appreciate Chomsky: it may sound cheesy but he was like a torch in the darkness. When we were trying to make sense of it all during times of resistance in Nepal - we read Chomsky.

We - educated brown people - thought we had a 'liberal' educational approach regards issues of racism, class, and politics. Then we read Chomsky - an old white Jewish man in specs from a colonized country - who helped to remind us there's still a lot we have left to do.

He makes us laugh at our own tragedy - sometimes reading him is like watching a good episode of the Simpsons. And without that funniness, I might have put the first book down.

It's time our band wrote a song about Chomksy. However for now, while we get a vicious attack of writer's block on the lyrics, 'Happy Birthday to you...' does the job.

I feel odd addressing you like this but please forgive the familiarity.

My name is Ro Rai. You don't know me, my family or friends here in London, or back in Nepal where I am from originally, but many of us have been informed, inspired and galvanised by your work. It might seem strange to you, but we feel we know you in some small way. You have touched us all with your strength of purpose and your courageous and unremitting commitment to truth. You are a presence in our lives.

So this short note is to thank you for all that you have done and continue to do. There are many of us out here who may not take the time to say so, but we admire and continue to be inspired by you and the example that you set.

As they say in Nepal, 'Dhanyabad Noam Uncle!'

Thank you and very best wishes.

Congratulations, mahatma! Profound respect. Even more profound gratitude.

Reading Chomsky for the first time was such a relief. Here were my vague feelings distilled into lucid, deeply researched words. It was a calm warm voice talking of insanities and making sense of policies that had made no sense to me.

Bibi van der Zee, London, England
Guardian journalist, author of Rebel, Rebel: The Protestor's Handbook

Among other things, you taught me that the Iraq war was about power not just oil, and helped me understand more about what's wrong with the media.