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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 23, 2024 | The Indian Eye 32

Tom Suozzi Honors Varinder Bhalla

with Congressional Award

Recognizes Four Decades of Community Service

OUR BUREAU Indian American Voters Forum to
bolster the membership of the Con-
New York, NY
gressional Caucus on India and Indian
n recognition of his extensive Americans. This initiative included a
contributions to both the United unique television show celebrating In-
IStates and India, Representative dia’s Republic Day and Independence
Tom Suozzi has awarded Varinder Day, which featured appearances by
Bhalla a Special Congressional Award, 11 governors and 22 Congressional
acknowledging his four decades of leaders from across the U.S.
dedicated community service. The In 2012, Astronaut Sunita Wil-
Honor includes an American flag that liams, while on board the Interna-
has flown over the U.S. Capitol, along tional Space Station, made history by
with a formal Citation from Congress- appearing on Bhalla’s show to extend
man Suozzi. Independence Day and Diwali greet-
Varinder Bhalla’s journey as a ings to Indians worldwide. The broad-
community leader began in 1981 cast was televised on 80 channels
when, as Vice President of the Asso- across India and reached audiences in
ciation of Indians in America (AIA), the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
he successfully campaigned for the In 2014, Bhalla and his wife Rat-
inclusion of Indian Americans as a na traveled to a village in Gujarat to
recognized minority group eligible donate a boat for school children who
for federal contracts. This landmark previously risked their lives daily by
achievement opened doors for thou- swimming across a turbulent river to
sands of Indian small business owners reach their school.
across the nation, enabling them to Bhalla launched a monthly eye
secure government contracts. camp in Amritsar in 2023, on the 50th
In 1982, Bhalla played a pivotal anniversary of his late father, who al-
role in halting an immigration bill that ways supported blind children. Since
sought to restrict naturalized citizens its inception, the camp has provided
from sponsoring family members for Varinder Bhalla being awarded by Tom Suozzi free eye exams and eyeglasses to near-
permanent residency. Alongside then- ly 1,200 individuals, offering vital sup-
AIA President Gopal Khanna, Bhalla ate and befitting to recognize him with legends Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu port to those in need.
delivered 17,000 signed petitions to Special Congressional Recognition.” to support the victims of the disaster. Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori, the
the House Judiciary Committee in In 1991, Bhalla set up AWB Food Two years later, he again collaborated world-renowned cancer physician
Washington, D.C., effectively stopping Bank in Delhi to feed underprivileged with these stars to raise funds for phys- who treated the former President of
the resolution proposed by Congress- children with a mid-day meal program, ically challenged children in Mumbai. India, praised Bhalla for his charitable
man Romano Mazzoli and Senator which has distributed 15 million meals In 1985, Bhalla led a nationwide endeavors in India and his community
Alan Simpson. since its inception. voter registration drive, featuring a service in the United States. “Heart-
Congressman Suozzi lauded Bhalla’s impact has extended far televised campaign with participation iest congratulations to Mr. Bhalla for
Bhalla as “a wonderful example of the beyond these initiatives. Following from former President Gerald Ford a very well-deserved Congressional
American Dream,” highlighting his ef- the Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984, which and other Congressional leaders. His Award for his distinguished record of
forts in establishing anti-hunger pro- claimed thousands of lives, Bhalla or- commitment to civic engagement con- community service spanning over four
grams in New Delhi and organizing ganized a fundraiser with Bollywood tinued in 2008 when he founded the decades. His passion for helping the
an eye camp in his hometown of Am- underprivileged in India is exempla-
ritsar, which provides free eyeglasses ry. His unprecedented leadership to
to underprivileged children. increase the membership of the India
Narrating his association with Caucus to enhance Indo-US ties is
Bhalla over the years, Dr. Thomas truly laudable.”
Abraham, Founder & Chairman of Reflecting on Bhalla’s lega-
Global Organization of People of In- cy, Congressman Suozzi remarked,
dian Origin (GOPIO), says, “I have “Varinder Bhalla is a shining example
had the opportunity to work closely of the promise of America. His life
with Varinder during the last four de- demonstrates that by working hard
cades. He has been a great volunteer, and embracing the values enshrined
organizer, and leader coordinating in our Declaration of Independence,
many aspects of community mobiliza- one can achieve personal success
tion for common causes, in the USA Children Served Mid-Day Meal by AWB Food Bank while passionately serving others and
as well as in India. It is very appropri- leaving the world a better place.”

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