The Indian Panorama

Tag: Deepak Chopra

  • Tirlok Malik’s Happy Life Yoga Shines at Times Square on World Peace Day 2025

    Tirlok Malik’s Happy Life Yoga Shines at Times Square on World Peace Day 2025

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): On a sunlit afternoon at the heart of Manhattan, Times Square became a hub of positivity as Tirlok Malik shared the secrets of a happy and peaceful life with an enthusiastic crowd celebrating World Peace Day. Marking the 21st anniversary of the event, organized by Reverend Paul Sladkus, Founder of Good News Corporation, Malik captivated attendees with his “Happy Life Yoga,” emphasizing the power of laughter and inner happiness as essential tools for global peace. “Peace and laughter go together,” he told the crowd. “If you are happy yourself, you can bring peace to the world.”

    The event, graced by an array of global icons, highlighted the universal appeal of Malik’s message. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine attended the celebration, alongside luminaries such as the iconic South African film producer Anant Singh.

    The event was supported by the likes of Ringo Starr, Michael Douglas, Sister Jenna, Stevie Wonder, Jane Goodall, Reachel Singh, Rebecca Irby, Shakira, Oprah Winfrey, and Deepak Chopra, each showing their support for peace and wellness initiatives.

    Malik’s joyful demonstration included interactive laughter exercises, mindfulness techniques, and simple yoga poses, inviting participants of all ages to engage in a collective experience of happiness. His approach resonated deeply with the audience, who responded with laughter and applause throughout the session.

    “World Peace Day is not just about ending conflicts—it’s about cultivating joy within ourselves,” Malik said. “When we laugh together, we connect, and connection is the first step to lasting peace.”

    As Times Square echoed with laughter and smiles, Malik’s message served as a timely reminder that peace begins with personal happiness and can ripple out to the world at large.

  • Indian Americans number over 40 in Indiaspora Philanthropy Leaders List 2021

    Indian Americans number over 40 in Indiaspora Philanthropy Leaders List 2021

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Over 40 Indian Americans figure in the 2021 Indiaspora Philanthropy Leaders List recognizing one hundred Indian and diaspora leaders who have made a significant impact with their philanthropic contributions and engagement.

    Indiaspora, a nonprofit community of global Indian leaders from diverse backgrounds and professions, released their list of those who are making a difference through their giving at two virtual sessions on Thursday.

    Both launch sessions, focused on the Diaspora and India, featured conversations with honorees and leaders in the philanthropy ecosystem.

    Prominent Indian Americans on the list include Anna and Raj Asava, Founders, HungerMitao USA, Ajay Banga, Executive Chairman, Mastercard, Deepak Chopra Founder and CEO, Freedom Employability Academy USA, Frank Islam and Debbie Driesman, Founders Frank Islam and Debbie Driesman Foundation USA and Vinod Khosla, Founder, Khosla Ventures.

    “It is incredibly inspiring to see so many philanthropists from our community who have translated their success into social impact,” said Indiaspora Founder MR Rangaswami. “These leaders serve as an example of the importance of generosity and remind us of the many issues that need our attention.”

    With guidance from nine jurors and drawing from multiple sources, including reputed studies, earlier verified lists, and publicly shared documents, Indiaspora’s 2021 Philanthropy Leaders List recognizes Indian and diaspora leaders across the globe for their philanthropic contributions and engagement, according to an Indiaspora media release.

    “It was very gratifying to be a part of this effort, and I appreciated the careful consideration given to each honoree by those who were involved,” said Sara Kalim, Director of Development at Somerville College and one of the jurors.

    “As someone who works in the development space, I see firsthand how philanthropy can transform lives for the better. This list shines a light on the tremendous power of giving.”

    With more than 32 million people of Indian origin globally, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Indians are the largest diaspora population in the world.

    Indiaspora’s 2021 Philanthropy Leaders List includes philanthropists from India (26) and from geographies with significant diaspora migration, including the United States (43), the United Kingdom (17), Canada (5), the United Arab Emirates (8), Singapore (10), and Australia (2).

    Several of these philanthropists stepped forward to give during the Covid-19 crisis.

    “Covid-19 taught us that businesses, nonprofits, government, and philanthropy all play a critical role in lifting the communities they serve and operate in during times of crisis,” said Prem Watsa, Founder and CEO of Fairfax Financial Holdings and one of the honorees on the List.

    “Indiaspora’s Philanthropy Leaders List serves as a reminder to the diaspora to continue the important work of giving even once the crisis abates so our communities can meet future challenges.”

    The List includes names from various industries including technology, entertainment, finance, and the law, among others, who are using their philanthropy to address issues such as access to healthcare, quality education, water and sanitation, arts and culture, food insecurity, and employability.

    “I hope the diaspora will continue to give forward, and even more boldly,” said Rohini Nilekani, Founder-Chairperson of sustainable water and sanitation nonprofit Arghyam, who is also an honoree on the List.

    “It is both inspiring and critical to resolve many old and emerging societal challenges in India.”

    Indiaspora’s 2021 Philanthropy Leaders List is one of several of the organization’s philanthropy-focused initiatives.

    Other initiatives include ChaloGive, an online giving campaign that raised more than $3.5 million in 2021 to provide COVID relief in India, and the Philanthropy Summit, an annual event that brings together nonprofits, foundations, philanthropists, and others in the social impact space to share learnings regarding Indian and diaspora philanthropy.

    “This is a transformative moment for philanthropy,” said Ashish Shah, Senior Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement at Indiaspora.

    “The purpose of our philanthropy work is to galvanize the Indian diaspora to elevate its level of giving in the next decade, and Indiaspora’s 2021 Philanthropy Leaders List is an important step towards building a culture of philanthropy.”

    Indian Americans on 2021 Indiaspora Philanthropy Leaders List
    1. Monte Ahuja, Chairman and CEO, MURA Holdings, LLC USA
    2. Anna and Raj Asava, Founders, HungerMitao USA
    3. Ajay Banga, Executive Chairman, Mastercard
    4. Manoj Bhargava, Founder and CEO, Living Essentials,
    5. Aneel Bhusri, Co-founder and CEO, Workday
    6. Allison Bhusri, Founder, Lemonade Capital USA
    7. Sumir Chadha Co-founder and Managing Director, WestBridge Capital Partners USA
    8. Deepak Chopra Founder and CEO, Freedom Employability Academy USA
    9. Bharat Desai and Neerja Sethi, Co-founders, Syntel, Founders, Desai Sethi Foundation USA
    10. Desh Deshpande, President and Chairman, Sparta Group LLC, Co-founder, Deshpande Foundation
    11. Jaishree Deshpande, Treasurer, Sparta Group LLC; Co-founder and Trustee, Deshpande Foundation; USA
    12. Anil and Gautam Godhwani, Co- founders, Simply Hired, Habitera, and AtWeb; Co-founders, India Community Center
    13. Prabhu and Poonam Goel Co-founders, Foundation for Excellence USA
    14. Vijay Goradia, Founder, Vinmar International Ltd; Goradia Capital Co-founder, Pratham
    15. Marie Goradia, Co-founder, Pratham USA
    16. Raj Gupta, Chairman, Aptiv PLC, Avantor Inc, Founder, Ujala Foundation USA
    17. Venky Harinarayan, Founder, Junglee & Kosmix, Founding investor, Efficient Frontier Co-founder, Cambrian Ventures USA
    18. Frank Islam, Founder, FI Investment Group, Founder, QSS Group
    19. Debbie Driesman, Vice President, Frank Islam and Debbie Driesman Foundation USA
    20. Vinod Khosla, Founder, Khosla Ventures
    21. Neeru Khosla, Co-founder and Executive Director, CK-12 Foundation USA
    22. Lata Krishnan, Co-founder, Krishnan-Shah Family Office, Founder & Co-chair, American India Foundation
    23. Ajay Shah, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Silver Lake Sumeru USA
    24. Dinakar Singh, Founding Partner, TPG-Axon Capital, Co-founder, SMA Foundation
    25. Loren Eng, Co-founder, SMA Foundation USA
    26. Deepak and Neera Raj, Founder & Managing Director, Raj Associates, Chairman, Pratham USA and Indian Philanthropy Alliance USA
    27. Anand Rajaraman and Kaushie Adiseshan, Founding Partner, Rocketship.vc, USA
    28. Raju Reddy, Founder and former CEO, Sierra Atlantic Co-founder, Kakatiya Sandbox USA
    29. Rao and Satya Remala, Founders, Satya and Rao Remala Foundation USA
    30. Nalini Saligram Founder and CEO, Arogya World USA
    31. Manu and Rika Shah, Co-founders, MSI, Sarva Mangal Family Trust USA
    32. Sanjay Shah, Founder, CEO, and Chief Architect of Vistex; Founder, Vistex Foundation USA
    33. Ram Shriram Chair and Trustee, Dhanam Foundation USA
    34. Chandrika Tandon, Founder and Chair, Tandon Capital Associates
    35. Ranjan Tandon, Founder and Chairman, Libra Advisors USA
    36. Romesh Wadhwani, Founder and CEO, SymphonyAI Group, Founder and Chairman, Wadhwani Foundation USA
    37. Sunil Wadhwani, Managing Partner, SWAT Capital, Founder Donor, WISH Foundation (Wadhwani Initiative for Sustainable Healthcare) USA.

  • Covid-19 surge: Indiaspora raises USD 1 million for India in less than 48 hours

    Covid-19 surge: Indiaspora raises USD 1 million for India in less than 48 hours

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Indiaspora, a nonprofit community of global Indian diaspora leaders, has raised USD 1 million towards COVID-19 relief efforts within the last 48 hours as the organization announced on Friday to launch the “Help India Breathe” fundraiser campaign.

    The campaign with a virtual event on Saturday will aim to double the impact of the donations by offering to match funds, Indiaspora said.

    The virtual event will bring together several powerful voices from the Indian and AAPI community, including Lilly Singh, Deepak Chopra, Dhar Mann, Payal Kadakia, Kunal Nayyar, Humble the Poet, Jay Sean, Radhanath Swami, Janina Gavankar, Vishen Lakhiani, Deepica Mutyala, a statement said.

    “I am heartbroken by the deepening COVID crisis in India. Urgent action is needed to help those suffering,” said Indiaspora Founders Circle member Reshma Kewalramani, chief executive officer and president at Vertex, a global biotechnology company, who contributed towards the campaign.

    “Please join me in giving as generously as you can to support India in her time of need,” she said.

    The USD1 million raised by the organization so far will address three major areas of COVID-19 relief on the ground: the creation of urgently needed COVID care centers and makeshift hospitals through nonprofit WISH Foundation, direct cash transfer to families who have lost a primary earning member through nonprofit giving platform GiveIndia, and food relief and livelihood assistance for migrant workers and other underserved populations through nonprofits Goonj and Jan Sahas, the statement said.

    “We are proud of our community’s response. The outpouring of support from the Indian diaspora has been immediate and overwhelming,” said Sanjeev Joshipura, executive director of Indiaspora.

    “We are devastated by the news of the rising tragedies in India. They urgently need our help, and we are so grateful to our friends, communities and audiences that will participate in making a difference this weekend. We know you’ll show up,” said best-selling author, award winning storyteller & podcast host and former monk Jay Shetty, who has put together the two-hour event, which will be livestreamed on his and Indiaspora’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

    (Source: PTI)