NY street named after Guyanese Pandit Ramlall

New York: Officials in Queens, New York, recently honored an influential community member by naming the 133rd Street and Liberty Avenue junction Pandit Ramlall Way.

The Richmond Hill Queens community recently paid tribute to Ramlall, the late founder of the Annual Phagwah (Holi) parade, community advocate and scholar.

Guyanese-born, Dharmacharya Pandit Ramlall, who also founded the Diwali Motorcade and the Arya Spiritual Center of New York, a stones-throw from the intersection, was remembered as someone who lived an extraordinary life filled with purpose.

Councilmember Adrienne Adams said the street sign honoring the spiritual leader’s legacy “is a fitting tribute for the leader who contributed so much to the cultural, spiritual, and educational fabric of our city,” according to a news release.

“As we celebrated the unveiling of Pandit Ramlall Way, the sun was as brilliant as our illustrious Nana (Grandfather). May his name and legacy forever inspire thinking minds and determined characters,” said Nivedita Balgobin, the granddaughter of Pandit Ramlall, at the unveiling ceremony.

“The unveiling of Pandit Ramlall Way was a tremendous celebratory moment among the Guyanese population in Richmond Hill area in honor of a community advocate and religious icon, the report said,” added Ashook Ramsaran, chair of the Pandit Ramlall Way Unveiling Committee.

“I am deeply moved by the historic naming of Pandit Ramlall Way after a revered Hindu faith leader. The Hindu values of karma yoga (selfless action) and satyagraha (soul force) guided me to embrace this life of public service,” said New York Indian American state Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar.