American & Indian Officials Unite to show their presence and pride

(By Sharanjit Singh Thind) New York: In a heartfelt tribute to the late Chaman Lal Bhalla and his philanthropic legacy, a street in Amritsar has been named in his honor. The inauguration ceremony brought together dignitaries, family, and friends from India and the United States to celebrate a man whose life was dedicated to serving the underprivileged, particularly the children of the Amritsar Institute for the Blind.
U.S. Congressman Tom Suozzi, New York Senator Jack Martins, and Assemblyman Charles Lavine addressed the gathering via video messages, acknowledging Chaman Lal Bhalla’s lifelong commitment to humanitarian efforts. The event saw an overwhelming turnout, with hundreds of family members and friends, including many who traveled from across India and the U.S.
The Chief Guest for the occasion was former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Om Parkash Soni, while Councilor Vikas Soni served as Guest of Honor. Other distinguished attendees included former MLA Sunil Datti, Amritsar Congress Chief Ashwini Kumar, Assistant Commissioner Vishal Wadhawan, Councilor Sunita Sharma, Chheharta Merchants Association President Kawaljit Singh, renowned community leader Satish Devgan, and several other prominent members of the Amritsar community. The inauguration began with a grand procession led by a traditional band of bagpipers, setting a solemn yet celebratory tone. Hundreds of attendees marched in unison behind the music, forming a sea of supporters moving through the narrow street where Chaman Lal Bhalla once lived. As the group reached the freshly installed milestone bearing the name - Chaman Lal Bhalla Lane - a drone rose silently above the gathering and gently sprinkled them with rose petals, which drifted like whispers from the heavens, blanketing the crowd in a silent benediction. Chief Guest Soni cut the ceremonial ribbon, unveiling the engraved stone as applause erupted from the crowd, many of whom stood with folded hands in reverence. It was a powerful moment that captured the deep emotional connection the community holds for Bhalla’s enduring legacy. In recognition of Chaman Lal Bhalla’s legacy, a Citation from the U.S. House of Representatives was presented to his son, Satish Bhalla, while New York State Senate citations were awarded to Chander Mohan Bhalla, Subhash Bhalla, and Suraj Bhalla. As a tribute to Bhalla’s unwavering support for the visually impaired, a cheque for ?50,000 was presented to the Amritsar Institute for the Blind, along with a commitment for continued support. His legacy also lives on through the Chaman Lal Bhalla Eye Camp, which provides free eye exams and eyeglasses to those in need. The Eye Camp, inaugurated by Member of Parliament Gurjeet Singh Aujla on the 50th anniversary of Bhalla’s passing, has already delivered over 1,200 eyeglasses to the needy people of Amritsar.
Varinder Bhalla, the former Commissioner of Nassau County, New York, traveled from New York to witness the naming of the street where he grew up before moving abroad. He was accompanied by his wife, Ratna Bhalla, the former Deputy Commissioner of Nassau County, who played a crucial role in establishing the eye camps in Amritsar. “My father was the inspiration behind everything I did”, says Varinder Bhalla, who recently received a congressional award for his charitable endeavors in India and community service in the United States. The AWB
Food Bank, which he founded in Delhi in 1991, has distributed over 15 million meals to needy people and supported CLB Eye Camps in Amritsar. “This street now carries not just my father’s name, but the spirit of his life,” he said. “May it stand as a reminder to serve the forgotten, lift the fallen, and care for those without a voice.” As dusk approached and the final rose petals were swept gently by the breeze, Chaman Lal Bhalla Lane stood as a living symbol - a street where compassion once walked, and where his legacy will forever lead the way.