Washington: Dr Vivek Murthy, the Indian-American US surgeon general, also known as "America's Doctor", has been presented with the Pride of the Community Award by the Hindu American Foundation, a Hindu advocacy group.

Accepting the award at HAF's annual Capitol Hill reception Tuesday, Murthy, son of Indian immigrant parents, said that he draws inspiration from the life of Swami Vivekananda.

HAF also honoured Senator Mark Kirk and House member Joe Crowley, with Friend of the Community awards at the reception attended by over a dozen lawmakers.

Anantanand Rambachan, professor of religion at St. Olaf College was presented with Dharma Seva award while Harpreet Singh Mokha of the Justice Department was given the Mahatma Gandhi Award for the Advancement of Pluralism.

Tulsi Gabbard, the only Hindu member of the US Congress, said it was a proud moment to see the continued progress made by HAF over a short period of time. (IANS)