An Indian-American physician and author, Abraham Varghese, has been presented with the National Humanities Medal, America's highest humanities award, by President Barack Obama. He was presented with the medal for his contribution in the field of medicine along with several other recipients at a ceremony held at the White House yesterday. Currently a professor of medicine at the Stanford School of Medicine, Varghese has authored several acclaimed books. <br/><br/>Started in 1997, the National Humanities Medal honors individuals or groups whose work has deepened the nation's understanding of the human experience, broadened citizens' engagement with history, literature, languages, philosophy, and other humanities subjects. As many as 12 medals are awarded each year.