Bhardwaj was voted the winner by an 11-member jury chaired by Sonal Shah (left), India Abroad Person of the Year 2003, from 123 nominations sent in by readers of India Abroad and rediff.com.

Mohini, who was in Orlando, Florida, was unable to accept her trophy personally.

Also See: Mohini Bhardwaj is the India Abroad Person of the Year 2004

Shah presented the award to Mohini's father, Dr Kaushal Bhardwaj, an internist from Cincinnati at an impressive ceremony held at the New York Palace hotel in New York City on December 3.

Photograph: Paresh Gandhi | Design: Rahil Shaikh