NASA astronaut Sunita Williams is the third person of Indian origin to reach space after Rakesh Sharma and Kalpana Chawla.

President George W Bush is all praise for them, politicians of every stamp assiduously court them, the media increasingly lionizes them.

The Indian-American community, everyone agrees, is coming into its own – in numbers, in political influence, in wealth earned and wealth created, in influence across every spectrum of life in the United States.

The community, today, epitomizes the American dream; their achievements have enormously enhanced the prestige of the land they left to seek their fortunes elsewhere.

To single out an individual achiever, in a year that has seen Indians succeed in every sphere of activity, across the United States and even in outer space, is tough. Yet, every year India Abroad honors that one Indian American who is, in your estimation and ours, first among equals.

Could it be NASA astronaut Sunita Williams (above photograph) who is the third person of Indian origin to reach space after Rakesh Sharma and Kalpana Chawla?

Also read:
• Sunita talks to school children
• Sunita Williams sets women's spacewalking record
• Sunita excited about her spacewalk
• 'It is pretty awesome to leave the planet'
• Sunita in space

Tell us who, in your opinion, has stood out among his/her peers; who you think deserves the honor of being named India Abroad Person of the Year 2006. The nominee should have significant, achievements during the time span from January 1 to December 31, 2006. Your nomination should have the name of the person, and a brief description of the achievement that in your opinion merits the award. You can send in your nominations by post or by e-mail to iapoy2006@rediffmail.com by February 28, 2007.

Also see:
Swadesh Chatterjee
Indra Nooyi