Diljit S. Ahluwalia Passes Away
Founder and Chairman of Alfa Tools

Chicago, Oct 08, 2012
R.S. Mago

Diljit Singh Ahluwalia, an industrial entrepreneur, chairman of his family businesses Alfa Manufacturing Industries, and National Abrasives in Morton Grove Illinois, a philanthropist, and a Rotarian passed away on Oct. 1, 2012 after a brief illness in a Chicago hospital. He was 80 years old. His funeral services attended by more than 250 took place in Skokie on Oct. 4, and a Sikh Religious services (Bhog) on Oct. 6 at Gurdwara in Wheaton Illinois.

Mr. Ahluwalia laid the foundation of expansion of Indian industries in Europe by establishing the first ever show room outside India in Dusseldorf Germany in the early sixties, and organized trade shows to promote Indian industries. He led several business delegations in Europe on behalf of Engineering Council of India a quasi government of India and Indian industry organization. Later he took over Engineering Council of India office in Chicago to promote Indian industry in the US and Canada.

Mr. Ahluwalia, a graduate engineer from Bengal Engineering College Calcutta,  wrote more than 300 research and investigative papers to benefit industry, the papers were published in 3 book forms.

Diljit Singh Ahluwalia, a Paul Harris fellow of Rotary International, member of Skokie Illinois Rotary Club with a life long record of community service, was born and raised in Calcutta Bengal in India to Punjabi Sikh parents, lived in Germany, and settled in Chicago USA, travelled all over the world for business, spoke several languages, and helped start several steel plants, business companies, as well as non-profit community service and arts organizations in Chicago including the earlier days Indo-American center. His wife Mohina Ahluwalia and Diljit have been on the Chicago Indian social and community service scene for more than 4 decades. Mohina Ahluwalia is the past chairperson of Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago among many other organizations.

Mr. Ahluwalia who usually wore a bow tie, was a gentleman and a spirited leader, armed with critical thinking, vast knowledge, professionalism, and rock solid self confidence when came to business acumen.

Diljit Ahluwalia is survived by his wife Mohina Ahluwalia, son Shaan Ahluwalia, daughter Josclyn A. Glynn, son-in-law Michael Glynn, and two grandsons Ryan Glynn and Justin Glynn who are involved in the managing of their family businesses.

• Diljit S. Ahluwalia, Founder and Chairman of Alfa Tools and National Abrasives and Tools divisions of Alfa Mfg. Industries, Inc.
• Dil had the finest humanitarian qualities - integrity, honesty, compassion and a quiet yet tireless strength.