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Indian American community leader Varinder Bhalla receives Congressional Award
Varinder Bhalla's career as a community leader started in 1981 when he successfully pushed for the inclusion of Indian Americans as a recognized minority group
Rep. Suozzi giving the award to Bhalla / Image Courtesy: Varinder Bhalla
Prominent Indian American community leader Varinder Bhalla was given a Congressional Award in recognition of his four decades of dedicated community service and contribution to US-India ties.
The award was presented by Representative Tom Suozzi(D-NY) and includes an American flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol, along with a formal Citation from the Congressman.
Congressman Suozzi praised Bhalla as "a wonderful example of the American Dream," his efforts to establish an eye camp in his hometown of Amritsar that provides free eyeglasses to needy children and to launch anti-hunger programs in New Delhi.
Reflecting on Bhalla’s legacy, Suozzi remarked, “Varinder Bhalla is a shining example of the promise of America. His life demonstrates that by working hard and embracing the values enshrined in our Declaration of Independence, one can achieve personal success while passionately serving others and leaving the world a better place.”
Dr. Thomas Abraham, founder and chairman of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin(GOPIO), elaborated on his association with Bhalla. He said, “I have had the opportunity to work closely with Varinder during the last four decades. He has been a great volunteer, organizer, and leader coordinating many aspects of community mobilization for common causes, in the USA as well as in India. It is very appropriate and befitting to recognize him with Special Congressional Recognition.”
Voter registration drive with Varinder Bhalla and President Gerald Ford / Varinder BhallaVarinder Bhalla's career as a community leader started in 1981 when he successfully pushed for the inclusion of Indian Americans as a recognized minority group eligible for federal contracts while serving as Vice President of the Association of Indians in America (AIA).
This accomplishment made it possible for thousands of Indian small company entrepreneurs to get government contracts across the country.
Bhalla was instrumental in putting an end to an immigration measure in 1982 that would have made it harder for naturalized Americans to sponsor their family members for permanent residence.
He stopped the motion by delivering 17,000 signed petitions to the House Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C., alongside then-Association of Indians in America (AIA) president Gopal Khanna.
To increase the number of members of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, Bhalla established the Indian American Voters Forum in 2008 as part of his ongoing commitment to civic participation.
One of the initiatives was a special television program honoring the Republic and Independence Days of India, in which 22 congressional leaders from throughout the United States and 11 governors made appearances.
Sunita Williams appearing on Bhalla's show / Varinder Bhalla
Bhalla gifts a boat to children in 2014 / Varinder BhallaWhen Astronaut Sunita Williams appeared on Bhalla's show in 2012, she created history by wishing Indians everywhere a happy Independence Day and Diwali. Williams was at the time stationed on the International Space Station.
The telecast was seen by viewers in the US, Canada, and Europe and was shown on 80 channels throughout India.
Back in India, Bhalla established the AWB Food Bank in Delhi in 1991 to provide free meals to children from underserved backgrounds. The organization has provided 15 million meals to children since its inception.
Bhalla also collaborated with Bollywood icons Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu to arrange a fundraiser for the victims of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy. He worked with these celebrities once more to gather money for Mumbai's physically challenged youngsters two years later.
Along with his spouse Ratna, Bhalla visited a Gujarati hamlet in 2014 to provide a boat as a gift for schoolchildren who had to swim a choppy river every day to get to school, endangering their lives.
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