Equity-too risky, FD's-very low interest rate..is their any better option?

What are the various instruments that we invest it? Shares, mutual funds, fixed deposits, PPF, tax saving mutual funds for those who want to save tax. What else? While shares and mutual funds are market linked and hence very risky, fixed deposits these days offer petty interest rates, so petty that its better to keep your money in cash at home, than invest in these deposits. So do we have some other option that is not risky and still gives respectable returns????????? Lets take a poll and find out what you think.