Richmond Hill street renaming celebrates Guyanese spiritual leader

Richmond Hill residents celebrated the late Dharmacharya Pandit Ramlall with a street renaming last Sunday.

Photo via Adrienne Adams

By Rachel Vick

Richmond Hill community members gathered Sunday to celebrate the life and legacy of a local spiritual leader with a street renaming.

The intersection of 133rd Street and Liberty Avenue was renamed “Pandit Ramlall Way” in honor of Dharmacharya Pandit Ramlall, remembered for his determination and contributions to the Queens Hindu community.

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

“If you can learn anything from our Nana, it is that there is no rock bottom too deep to prevent your growth,” she added. “Growth is a product of your own effort, not your circumstances.”

Attendees celebrated the contributions and memory of their neighbor, who died in 2019 at the age of 90, with prayers, songs and dances.

Before moving to Queens in 1974 Ramlall was imprisoned after fighting for Guyanaese independence from British rule. While there, he led hunger strikes for being denied vegetarian food and the ability to perform rituals as a Hindu priest. His demands were eventually met.

He brought the same determined spirit to his work in the world’s borough, working with SSEU Local 371, New York City Health and Hospital Corporation and volunteering with interfaith efforts across the city. Ramlall is also credited with founding the Phagwah (Holi) Parade, Diwali Motorcade and the Arya Spiritual Center of New York.

Over the years, Ramlall was honored for his contributions by the India International Friendship Society and Former Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, who declared March 23, 2003 as “Pandit Ramlall Day.”

“Pandit Ramlall lived an extraordinary life filled with purpose, learning, and love for his community” said Councilmember Adrienne Adams, who sponsored the renaming. ”The new street sign honoring his legacy is a fitting tribute for a leader who contributed so much to the cultural, spiritual, and educational fabric of our City. We will never forget the tremendous impact he had on the Guyanese community, Queens, and the entire City of New York.”