The Indian Panorama

Tag: Chandra Bhansali

  • Lotus shows way to celebrate Yoga Day – with a twist

    Lotus shows way to celebrate Yoga Day – with a twist

     

    Eddie Stern had the audience practice Brahma Mudra

    GREAT NECK, NY (TIP): In a soulful celebration to rekindle yoga’s spiritual roots, over 200 people came together to celebrate the International Day of Yoga here. Instead of yoga postures, they were introduced to the higher steps of the discipline that originated in India. The Spirit of Yoga event on June 22 was co-hosted by Parveen Chopra, founder of ALotusInTheMud.com, and the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization.

    For Anjani, Desena and Parveen: Jennifer DeSena, Supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead, flanked by Sister Anjani Seepersaud and Parveen Chopra.

    Parveen Chopra played a video of the Lotus web magazine he founded three years ago and moderated the evening, along with Erik Larson, Director of Brahma Kumaris WSO. Sister Anjani Seepersaud, Coordinator of the Global Harmony House venue, introduced them.

    Parveen Chopra presented a crystal lotus to Piyush Singh, who represented the Indian Consulate in New York.
    Saeed Hassan, Director Interfaith Outreach for NYS Senator Steve Rhoads, presented citations on behalf of the Senator to A Lotus In The Mud (accepted by Parveen Chopra) and the Brahma Kumaris (accepted by Erik Larson and Sister Anjani Seepersaud.

    While acknowledging that almost all Yoga Day programs and yoga studios focus only on asanas and pranayam, Chopra pointed out, “Asana practice will lead many to explore the spiritual side of yoga.”

    Dr Anjali Grover presented the story of yoga in dance.

    India’s Consul General In New York Binaya Srikanta Pradhan was Chief Guest. He was represented by Piyush Singh – Consul, Press, Information, and Culture. Singh relayed the message from the Consulate: “We are privileged to support this inspiring initiative. The energy and intent that radiate from this gathering truly reflect the deeper essence of yoga. Not merely asanas, yoga is a profound spiritual discipline that harmonizes body, mind, and soul.”

    Piyush Singh was introduced by Prof Indrajit Singh Saluja, who mentioned that he was witness earlier this month to a record 10,000 people attending a yoga session in San Pedro Carcha in Guatemala, organized by the Indian embassy there, even though only 100 Indian families live in that city.

    Eddie Stern, yoga instructor and founder of the Ganesha Temple in Manhattan, positioned postures in the 8-limb yoga discipline and led the audience in doing Brahma Mudra exercise.

    Jennifer DeSena, Supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead, thanked Chopra and the Global Harmony House for hosting a meaningful celebration of Yoga Day, adding. “Yoga is not just movement—it’s a journey inward, a practice of stillness in a restless world.”

    Rakesh Bhargava, President of the World Vegan Vision (NY chapter), discussed the vegan lifestyle and yoga. Dr Anjali Grover danced the story of yoga and Andonia Fthenakis presented sound bath meditation.

    In an expression of India’s call of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The World is One Family), the speakers and attendees represented diverse religions and communities.

    Prominent people at the event included Arvind Vora, Chair of Shanti Fund and founding trustee of Lotus, Dr Faroque Khan, Chair of Interfaith Institute of Long Island, Paul Chellani, head of the Sant Nirankari Mission – New York, Kamlesh Mehta – Chairman of The South Asian Times, Prof Indrajit Saluja – Editor-Publisher of The Indian Panorama, Mohan Wanchoo, Varinder Bhalla, Mukund Padmanabhan, Chandra Bhansali, Ashok Vyas, Dr Urmilesh Arya, Rashmin Master, Jyoti Gupta and yoga teacher Anita Rana.

    After the program, people enjoyed vegetarian and vegan refreshments in the sunny outdoors.
    (Photos by Kripa Ranjan Prasad, courtesy of Parveen Chopra/ALotusInTheMud.com)
  • Long Islanders raise $125,000 for SHEOWS seniors’ home in India

    Long Islanders raise $125,000 for SHEOWS seniors’ home in India

    Board Member Nitin Doshi addressing the gathering.

    HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP): Prominent members of the Long Island community gathered in Hicksville on September 14 to raise funds for SHEOWS, an old people’s home in India that has been taking care of thousands of destitute seniors abandoned by their families.

    Thanks to some philanthropists and generous donors, $125,000 was raised at the annual charity gala held at the Pearl banquet hall. The proceeds go to Saint Hardyal Educational and Orphan Welfare Society (sheows.org), which saves the lives of the abandoned, destitute, and homeless elderly at two centers in greater Delhi and one in Uttar Pradesh.

    The Long Island team for SHEOWS comprising Mohan Wanchoo (Chairman, ECI MW Holding Co), Dr Nitin Doshi (Doshi Family Foundation), Sharada Bhansali  (Co-founder of Accountants World) and Jaya Subramaniam  (Executive at Definitive Healthcare) headlined the elegant event attended by about 100 people. Dr Doshi, Mohan Wanchoo, Jaya Subramaniam, and Chandra Bhansali gave the audience an account of their experiences with SHEOWS and appealed to others to support this great cause. Dr Doshi was the first to start supporting SHEOWS some years ago, he said.

    Board Member Sharda and Chandra Bhansali addressed the audience.

    Saurabh Bhagat, CEO of SHEOWS, traveled from India to do a presentation at the gala on the work done by the initiative started by his grandfather in 2003.

    Board Member Jaya Subramaniam addressing the gathering.

    SHEOWS is home to more than 500 seniors. Over the years they have rescued over 6,000 people and rehabilitated at least a third of them.  A new state-of-the-art Old Age Center is being built in Gurugram, Haryana.

    Board Member Mohan Wanchoo addressing the gathering

    The organization reaches out to the abandoned among us and gives them dignity. Their vehicle goes on the streets of Delhi and NCR to bring the abandoned elderlies to their facilities. The rescued people are bathed, fed, cleaned, and housed at one of their three centers/ashrams, where they also receive medical attention (including for dementia), counseling, legal counsel, and, most importantly, respect. When the time comes, they are bid an honorable farewell, observing all rites and rituals of the faith the person followed as they lived.

    Sunny and Kajal Gill enthralled the audience with their music and entertainment at the event. Punita Bhansali was the MC for the evening. Gita Setia sang the National Anthems of America and India. Alka and Sanjiv Kohli handled the registration desk.

    (Based on a press release from SHEOWS)

    Sunny and Kajal Gill enthralled the audience with their music and entertainment.