Amritsar, Punjab – In a moving ceremony attended by local dignitaries and international guests, a street in Amritsar was officially renamed ‘Chaman Lal Bhalla Lane’, honoring a man whose lifetime of philanthropy left an indelible mark on countless lives—especially the students of the Amritsar Institute for the Blind.
Video tributes from U.S. Congressman Tom Suozzi, New York State Senator Jack Martins, and Assemblyman Charles Lavine reflected the transnational impact of Bhalla’s humanitarian work.
Former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Om Parkash Soni presided as Chief Guest, with Councilor Vikas Soni joining as Guest of Honor. The guest list included a cross-section of Amritsar’s civic and political leaders such as former MLA Sunil Datti, Congress city president Ashwini Kumar, Assistant Commissioner Vishal Wadhawan, Councilor Sunita Sharma, and Kawaljit Singh, President of the Chheharta Merchants Association. Prominent
citizens including Satish Devgan also joined to pay their respects.
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The celebration opened with a striking procession, led by bagpipers and followed by hundreds of participants who made their way down the street once called home by Chaman Lal Bhalla. As the crowd reached the newly christened lane, a drone released a graceful shower of rose petals overhead, casting a serene, almost spiritual ambiance over the gathering.
The street’s nameplate was unveiled by Chief Guest Soni to resounding applause and solemn silence, as many attendees stood with folded hands, visibly moved. In recognition of Bhalla’s legacy of service, a Citation from the U.S. House of Representatives was presented to his son Satish Bhalla, with New York State Senate Citations awarded to Chander Mohan Bhalla, Subhash Bhalla, and Suraj Bhalla.
To honor Bhalla’s lifelong advocacy for the visually impaired, the family donated ₹50,000 to the Amritsar Institute for the Blind, reaffirming their long-standing support. His work also continues through the Chaman Lal Bhalla Eye Camp, which has already distributed over 1,200 eyeglasses to underserved residents. The Eye Camp was recently launched by MP
Gurjeet Singh Aujla on the 50th anniversary of Bhalla’s passing.
Among those attending was Varinder Bhalla, former Commissioner of Nassau County, New York, who traveled with his wife Ratna Bhalla, former Deputy Commissioner, to witness the commemoration of the street where he spent his formative years.
“My father taught me that real success lies in lifting others,” said Varinder Bhalla, who was recently honored with a U.S. Congressional award for his charitable work. “This street isn’t just a tribute—it’s a pathway of hope for future generations.”
As the sun dipped below the horizon and rose petals gently settled on the ground, Chaman Lal Bhalla Lane stood not only as a street name but as a testament to a life spent in service—a lasting reminder that generosity and compassion can light the way forward.