Congressional Award to Varinder Bhalla Recognizes Four Decades of Community Service

August 13 :
In recognition of his extensive contributions to both the United States and India, Representative Tom Suozzi has awarded Varinder Bhalla a Special Congressional Award, acknowledging his four decades of dedicated community service. The Honor includes an American flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol, along with a formal Citation from Congressman Suozzi.

Varinder Bhalla's journey as a community leader began in 1981 when, as Vice President of the Association of Indians in America (AIA), he successfully campaigned for the inclusion of Indian Americans as a recognized minority group eligible for federal contracts. This landmark achievement opened doors for thousands of Indian small business owners across the nation, enabling them to secure government contracts.

(Fundraiser with Dilip Kumar for Bhopal Victims)

In 1982, Bhalla played a pivotal role in halting an immigration bill that sought to restrict naturalized citizens from sponsoring family members for permanent residency. Alongside then-AIA President Gopal Khanna, Bhalla delivered 17,000 signed petitions to the House Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C., effectively stopping the resolution proposed by Congressman Romano Mazzoli and Senator Alan Simpson.

Congressman Suozzi lauded Bhalla as “a wonderful example of the American Dream,” highlighting his efforts in establishing anti-hunger programs in New Delhi and organizing an eye camp in his hometown of Amritsar, which provides free eyeglasses to underprivileged children. 

(Voter Registration Drive with US President Gerald Ford)
Narrating his association with Bhalla over the years, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Founder & Chairman of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), says, “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.”

In 1991, Bhalla set up AWB Food Bank in Delhi to feed underprivileged children with a mid-day meal program, which has distributed 15 million meals since its inception. 

(Greetings from the Space)

Bhalla’s impact has extended far beyond these initiatives. Following the Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984, which claimed thousands of lives, Bhalla organized a fundraiser with Bollywood legends Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu to support the victims of the disaster. Two years later, he again collaborated with these stars to raise funds for physically challenged children in Mumbai.

In 1985, Bhalla led a nationwide voter registration drive, featuring a televised campaign with participation from former President Gerald Ford and other Congressional leaders. His commitment to civic engagement continued in 2008 when he founded the Indian American Voters Forum to bolster the membership of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. This initiative included a unique television show celebrating India’s Republic Day and Independence Day, which featured appearances by 11 governors and 22 Congressional leaders from across the U.S.

In 2012, Astronaut Sunita Williams, while on board the International Space Station, made history by appearing on Bhalla’s show to extend Independence Day and Diwali greetings to Indians worldwide. The broadcast was televised on 80 channels across India and reached audiences in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

(Children Served Mid Day Meal by AWB Food Bank)

In 2014, Bhalla and his wife Ratna traveled to a village in Gujarat to donate a boat for school children who previously risked their lives daily by swimming across a turbulent river to reach their school.

Bhalla launched a monthly eye camp in Amritsar in 2023, on the 50th anniversary of his late father, who always supported blind children. Since its inception, the camp has provided free eye exams and eyeglasses to nearly 1,200 individuals, offering vital support to those in need.

(Children Served Mid Day Meal by AWB Food Bank)

Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori, the world-renowned cancer physician who treated the former President of India, praised Bhalla for his charitable endeavors in India and his community service in the United States. “Heartiest congratulations to Mr. Bhalla for a very well-deserved Congressional Award for his distinguished record of community service spanning over four decades. His passion for helping the underprivileged in India is exemplary. His unprecedented leadership to increase the membership of the India Caucus to enhance Indo-US ties is truly laudable.”

Reflecting on Bhalla’s legacy, Congressman 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.”