Our Bureau
New York, NY
GOPIO’s International Day of Yoga 2026 (IDY-2026) celebration hosted by Happy Life Yoga Speaker and Emmy Nominated Filmmaker Tirlok Malik on Saturday June 20, from 11.00 am – 12.30 am (EST, US | Canada) was a resounding success.
This year, GOPIO-Manhattan joined hands with Consulate General of India in New York with GOPIO-Manhattan, Happy Life Yoga, The Indian Panorama & Indian American Forum, hosted a highly interactive and informative virtual Yoga event featuring experts and speakers from various walks of life. GOPIO-Manhattan started Happy Life Yoga in 2021 during Covid on the Zoom. GOPIO International and its chapters have cooperated and participated with the Indian Missions in the celebration all over the world and GOPIO chapters have also organized sessions with their own initiatives in many cities.
Yoga Day Celebration on the Zoom has been continued for the last five years since GOPIO could bring speakers and participants from all over the world together. The Session on the Zoom had light Yoga exercise while sitting in the chair, meditation and on breathing and of course, a lot of laughter and was entertaining as well.
The Indian Consulate in New York and the Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan were represented by Ms Rajlakshmi Kadam, Consul of Trade. In her message Consul Kadam welcomed the diaspora and encouraged them to practice Yoga in their day-to-day lives.
GOPIO International Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, who 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.
The theme for this year was centered on the universal question: “How to stay positive and move forward from past mistakes to live a happier life for oneself”
The event featured an inspiring lineup of guest speakers and VIP participants, including The Indian Panorama Publisher Prof. Indrajit Saluja; Indu Jaiswal, Director of Nutrition, Promenade RHC; Philanthropist Meera Gandhi, AIA New York President Beena Kothari; Rev. Paul Sladkus, Founder of Good News Corporation; Neha Lohia, Conscious Filmmaker; Vegan Ambassador Anil Narang; Tara Sajan, Director of Nursing; Annmarie Bhola, Engineer and Author; Carolina Pretto, Ayurveda Expert; Megi Kurdadze, President of Powerful Management & Tech Center; and Victoria Moran, Author and Podcast Host.
At a time when stress, loneliness, anxiety, and mental health challenges are rising globally, the wisdom of breath, laughter, and mindful living has become more relevant than ever. Ayurveda and India’s ancient wellness traditions have long understood that the mind, body, breath, digestion, emotions, and daily habits are deeply connected. Laughter in particular supports emotional release, lightens the nervous system, creates connection, and reminds us that joy itself can be a form of healing.
International Happy Life Yoga 2026 offered participants a warm, entertaining, and deeply human experience that blends India’s wellness heritage with practical tools for modern life.
GOIO-Manhattan Executive Vice President Bhavya Gupta concluded the virtual Yoga Day Celebration with Vote of Thanks and conveyed greetings from GOPIO Manhattan President Prof Raj Vangapapy.
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.
