Doraha mourns loss of Jaswinder Bhalla

The lanes of Doraha, a small town 30 kilometres from Ludhiana, wore a sombre look today as residents remembered their beloved son, Dr Jaswinder Bhalla, who passed away early this morning at Mohali.

Though Bhalla spent most of his professional life in Ludhiana, his roots remained firmly in Doraha. Born in his maternal village Boparai Kalan, and raised in his paternal village Kaddon, Bhalla completed his Class 10 from the local government school before moving on to pursue higher education and eventually becoming a household name across Punjab.

His father, Bahadur Singh, a retired primary school teacher, had sold their ancestral home in Doraha to Bhalla’s cousin Jajwinder Singh, with the sentiment that the family’s legacy should remain tied to the soil. That house today still stands, now home to a boutique run by the family. “He was a gem of a person,” said Jajwinder Singh. “We lost him, but he will be remembered throughout our lives.”

The grief in Doraha is personal and profound. Jaswinder Singh, Bhalla’s schoolmate, shared, “Today, I lost a part of my childhood. We grew up together, laughed together and watched each other grow. His success was our pride.”

Jandeep Kaushal, a long-time resident and friend of Bhalla’s father, recalled their bond as fellow government school teachers. “He was the pride of Doraha. Everyone here proudly called him the son of this town. Today, he silenced the laughter.”

“He was the heartbeat of our school days,” said Harpal Singh, another schoolmate. “Even then, his wit had a spark that lit up the room.” As Doraha grieves, it also celebrates the legacy of a son who never forgot his roots and gave the world laughter wrapped in sincerity.

Bhalla’s journey from a modest upbringing to becoming one of Punjab’s most iconic comedians and respected academicians is nothing short of inspirational. His rise is a testament to his talent, discipline and cultural roots. As Doraha mourns, it also celebrates the life of a man who carried its name to global audiences.