The Indian American Heritage Foundation (AIHF) showed its gratitude to Dr. Mani Bhaumik for his outstanding contributions to science and humanity as it awarded its 2005 Mahatma Gandhi Humanitarian Award to the co-inventor of the LASIK optical procedure Nov. 15 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire.

Media mogul Ted Turner hosted the star-studded event that drew in Angie Dickinson, Peter Falk, Jenilee Harrison, Arte Johnson, Christopher Lawford, Barbara Rush, Connie Stevens, Brenda Vaccaro, and Leigh Taylor Young, to name a few.

The ceremony began with inspirational musical performances from vocalist Mortonette Jenkins Stephens, pianist Milton Nelson, bassist Jeff Stern, drum player Jeff Takaguchi, and healing drums player Calvin Hester.

Afterwards, Master of Ceremonies, U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan, introduced actor Sir Ben Kingsley. The recently knighted thespian, famous for his Academy Award-winning performance as Mohandas Gandhi in the 1982 film, Gandhi, presented the prestigious award to Bhaumik.

The man of the evening was also celebrated for his book, Code Name God, a recount of his rags-to-riches story and his journey towards reconnecting with his spirituality.