Indian-American surgeon gets highest US immigrant award

The Indian-American doctor is also the Director of the National Blood and Bone marrow Drive Campaign which was sponsored by about 600 Hindu temples throughout North America.



"Immigration has been our greatest strength. Let us gratefully acknowledge the open arms of this great nation by giving our best every day - and knowing that America's best days are ahead of us...," Jindal said in his address.

"Today's ceremony is a powerful affirmation of America's strengths, nearly half a million new citizens every year from all corners of the world. We bring in new ideas and novel strategies to solve problems and ensure that the US will be ready for the next century," he said.

Saying his journey started from Ahmedabad to the United Kingdom for six years, Jindal added, "I then came to the US, first the East Coast, then to the Mid-West and finally to Maryland."

"Dr Jindal is the epitome of what it means to be an American and his story is another example of what makes American civilisation exceptional," said Kumar Barve, Majority Leader of the Maryland House of Delegates.

Indian-Americans honoured by this prestigious award so far included Indra Nooyi, Renu Khator, Vivek Wadhwa, and Amarpreet S Sawhney.