Holding the event together as emcee was Sreenath Sreenivasan, Columbia journalism professor, WABC-TV tech reporter and co-founder of the South Asian Journalists Association.

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

Like last year, his mixture of ready wit, presence of mind, and impeccable timing made for an enjoyable evening.

Photograph: Paresh Gandhi | Design: Rahil Shaikh