Our Bureau
New York, NY
Global Organization for People of Indian Origin – Manhattan Chapter and Emmy-nominated filmmaker and Happy Life Yoga speaker Tirlok Malik, along with The Indian Panorama and Indian American Forum, organized an interactive and informative session on June 22 featuring eminent experts and speakers to celebrate International Day of Yoga 2024.
The ever-ebullient Malik emphasized loving yourself and “if you love yourself, it is your responsibility to take care of your happiness and health”. He conducted practical exercises as well as chair yoga, peppered with calls for laughter among a large number of participants logged in for the session from the New York area, other parts of the USA, India, and around the world.
Consul General of India in New York, Amb. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, in his address as Chief Guest, underlined that yoga is a holistic body-mind-spirit system. He congratulated GOPIO and Tirlok Malik for holding the event open to all.
In his 4th year leading this event, session host Malik asked the speakers to address the question: There are challenges and hardships in life, but how do you let them go and laugh at life? Give me your personal mantra, he asked them.
Indu Jaiswal, Chairperson of the Indian American Forum and a medical professional, shared her mantra: “Always have a positive outlook and believe in yourself.”
Prof. Indrajit Singh Saluja, Editor-Publisher of The Indian Panorama, said that happiness is within you. He added that the five Yamas – ahimsa, Satya, etc.–of Patanjali yoga is a formula for not causing unhappiness to others.
Tara Shajan, a medical professional, suggested we should revisit our happy memories, particularly from childhood, and try to lower our happiness threshold.
Neeta Bhasin, the founder of Times Square Diwali, shared that she has learned to prioritize her own happiness.
Neha Lohia, a filmmaker and spiritual enthusiast, said that we should take whatever happens to us as ‘prasad’ from God.
Parveen Chopra, the founder of wellness and spirituality webmag ALotusInTheMud.com, mentioned the sutra, “Heyam dukham anagatam” (Avert the danger that has not yet come). Do regular exercise, yoga and meditation, he said, to avoid poor physical and mental health later in life.
Dr. Renee Mehra, Host of Zoom in with Renee Online show conducted a short meditation. Others who spoke included GOPIO International President Lal Motwani, AIA National President Gobind Munjal, ‘Vegan Ambassador’ Anil Narang and Deborah Fishman.
GOPIO International Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, who also serves as an advisor to GOPIO-Manhattan, in his welcome address spoke about the objectives of GOPIO and urged those who are not members yet to join the GOPIO International organization or a nearby chapter.
GOPIO-Manhattan President Shivender Sofat said the message shared at the session should be shared with others. GOPIO-Manhattan Board member Sid Jain provided the technical service at the session and Chapter Secretary Bhavya Gupta gave the vote of thanks.
Tirlok Malik has conducted over 100 Happy Life Yoga workshops in four years. He created this workshop (No mats needed!) inspired by Ayurveda, yoga, and Indian philosophy as a practical way to live a happier and healthier life in today’s testing times.
GOPIO-Manhattan, in accordance with its mission to serve the larger society and those in need, has taken several initiatives since its founding in 2020. A Community Feeding is organized by the Chapter providing a vegetarian lunch for the homeless and needy at Tomkins Square Park in Manhattan on the last Monday of every month. The chapter appeals to the community to support the initiative by being a volunteer and/or a sponsor.
