The Indian Panorama

Tag: Neeta Bhasin

  • Indian American Neeta Bhasin, Appointed to the First-Ever Asian American and Pacific Islander’s Commission

    Neeta Bhasin

    NEW YORK (TIP) : On December 12th, a historic event took place with the inauguration of the New York State Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Commission. Thirteen Asian Americans were sworn in, pledging to strengthen the connection between the Asian American community and New York State. The ceremony was graciously hosted by Queens College and its President, Frank H Wu.

    Neeta Bhasin, the founder of Diwali at Times Square and Sammaan for All, has been appointed to the New York State Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Commission. She was sworn in along with other Commission members and Chair Gaurav Vasisht. The Commission aims to enhance the economic and social well-being of AAPI communities and address their health and educational needs.

    The Commission’s role includes making policy recommendations, coordinating programs, implementing public education campaigns, and raising awareness about state and local resources for AAPI individuals.

    This Commission was established due to the unprecedented growth of the Asian American population and the unique challenges they face, including increased hate crimes.

    Neeta Bhasin, the founder of Diwali at Times Square, Sammaan for All, and President of ASB Communications and EventGuru, is the first Indian American female who took the oath along with Commission members and the Chair Gaurav Vasisht to enhance the community’s economic and social well-being and address the health and educational needs critical to AAPI communities throughout the state. The Commission will be housed in the New York State Department of State.

    NYS Assemblywoman, Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Indian American legislator, introduced the AAPI Commission Bill, that was passed unanimously by the legislators in the Capitol.

    On February 7th, 2024, NYS Governor Kathy Hochul signed the bill and joined more than 12 states with similar commissions and the White House.

    The Asian American population in the USA is the fastest-growing ethnic community.

    This unprecedented growth has come with unique challenges, including increased hate crimes.

    New York State Governor Kathleen Hochul, who could not join in person, shared her message.

    “Welcome to the first-ever meeting of the NYS Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission. We established this Commission because your voices are essential to our state’s future, and we are always looking to gain a deeper understanding of one another. We invested $35 million to protect Asian American New Yorkers from Hate Crime and set $30 Million to local AAPI organizations to serve their communities”.

    NY State Senator Jeremy Cooney, raised in the orphanage home in Calcutta, India, said, “We were waiting for this moment. I am pleased to have sponsored this legislation with another historic champion, Jenifer Rajkumar. The Asian Americans’ voice is growing, but it needs to be heard. We have to let our communities know that we are listening, that we care, and that there are great challenges and opportunities for New Yorkers coming to this country from all parts of this world.”

    AAPI Commission Chair, Members and DignitariesAAPI

    Chair of AAPI, Gaurav Vasisht, addressed the attendees, “AAPI community in NY is over 2 million with diverse culture, traditions, and language but what lies behind that diversity, and indeed what behind all of us together is lived experience, of sacrifice, perseverance and aspiration story about our own family. I encourage all of you to actively participate in the public forums that will be held statewide and submit comments and ideas to stay informed on the commission’s work and progress. This is only the beginning. Together with your insights, collaboration, and passion, we can forge a path forward for meaningful change and impactful solutions for our community”.

    Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, behind the NYC Diwali School Holiday and AAPI bill, said, “In late 1800, the US Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act. Chinese individuals cannot be citizens of this country. In 1921, the US Supreme Court ruled that Indians could not be US citizens. And now look at us, we are thriving in all fields we have come a long way. It is just the beginning. Our Commission members will bring excellence to our government. They will make impossible possible. I believe that Neeta Bhasin who single handedly organizes Diwali at Times Square made Diwali Global Phenomena’.

    Neeta Bhasin, who has been celebrating Diwali at Times Square since 2013, her experience and dedication to promoting cultural understanding and diversity will be invaluable assets to the Commission’s work.

    Neeta believes in having a peaceful society where everyone values and respects the cultural differences of diverse cultures. Educating others from a grassroots level is essential, which means educating children from an early age. If we teach them to value and respect a diverse society, this educational process will allow them to respect children of different cultures and traditions in school.

    The host committee of the public hearing was the NY State Department of the State. Shawn Ma, Director of Asian American Affairs, and Sibu Nair, Deputy Director of Asian American Affairs, represented the NY State Governor’s office alongside their team members.

    The Chair of the Asian American and Pacific Islander is Gaurav Vasisht. The members of the commissions are: Tai Ngo Shaw, Neeta Bhasin, Maf Misbah Uddin, Joyce Wu, Marjorie Hsu, Faustina Sein, Andrew Sta Ana, Peter Tu, Ambrosia Kaui, Tim Law Kyung Yoon, Jeffrey Gu, Frank Wu.

    About Neeta Bhasin

    Neeta Bhasin graduated in Accounting and Economics from the Queens College, NY but started her career as a Live Talk Host on the first South Asian TV Network and in 1997 founded the first South Asian advertising and marketing company in the USA called ASB Communications.

    Neeta came to NY with her parents 47 years ago. She always wanted to showcase the vibrant South Asian Culture, Art, Heritage, and Diversity to mainstream America and invoke a sense of pride among the newer generations of the South Asian community.

    She started Event Guru Worldwide, the company that created history in 2013 by conceptualizing and producing Diwali at Times Square..

    Neeta received numerous accolades for her work. She was one of the honorees for “50 Outstanding Asian Americans in Business” in 2008. She was awarded the Mahatma Gandhi Samman (Honor) in the House of Lords in London in Sept 2015 and has been awarded the India Republic Day Award in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County in New York for her dedication and commitment towards the community. She was the proud recipient of the IAA WOMEN

    ACHIEVERS AWARDS from Shabana Azmi in 2017 and, in 2018, she received the South Asian Empowerment Award from Miss World 2017 Manushi Chillar, and in 2023, she was awarded the ‘Shakti Award ‘(woman empowerment award).

  • GOPIO Manhattan, Indian Consulate & Happy Life Yoga Collaborate to Celebrate Yoga Day

    GOPIO Manhattan, Indian Consulate & Happy Life Yoga Collaborate to Celebrate Yoga Day

    NEW YORK (TIP): On the occasion of 9th International Yoga Day 2023, GOPIO-Manhattan in cooperation with the Consulate General of India in New York and Emmy-nominated filmmaker & Happy Life Yoga speaker Tirlok Malik hosted a highly interactive and informative Yoga Zoom event on June 25th featuring experts and speakers from various walks of life. Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Consul General of India in New York sent his best wishes to GOPIO and Malik for celebrating the 9th International Yoga Day 2023. The chief guest Consul Vipul Dev, who looks after Press, Information and Culture at the Indian Consulate, New York (USA) was present on the occasion. GOPIO-Manhattan Secretary Bhavya Gupta was the MC for the event which was hosted in the presence of Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of GOPIO International and GOPIO President Lal Motwani as well as distinguished members of GOPIO International and its chapter officials from the Northeast of USA and many viewers from all over the world. The event was also supported by The Indian Panorama and Indian American Forum.

    Ms. Bhavya Gupta started the event welcoming all and shared the updates from the 9th International Yoga Day held at the United Nations on June 21st under the presence of Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi. GOPIO team members along with citizens across 135 nationalities participated in the Yoga event, which earned the Yoga Day Event an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records for the Most Nationalities in a Yoga Session.

    The event was energetic, knowledgeable, inspiring, and celebratory in nature. While emphasizing upon the growing importance of Yoga in today’s times, Malik explained his vision behind Happy Life Yoga and its underlying philosophy, “A way of living inspired by the wisdom of Ayurveda, Yoga and Indian Philosophy, Happy Life Yoga is beneficial for one and all. The pandemic has made the world realize that it is of paramount importance to have a good health, physically and emotionally, and the Happy Life Yoga platform can show how to achieve it.”

    GOPIO Chairman Dr. Abraham in his welcome remarks said, “Yoga has now become an international brand after the UN declaration in 2014 and Yoga Day is now celebrated all over the world.” Dr. Abraham also complimented the Indian Consulate for continuing to support Yoga celebrations by the community groups in the Northeast of the US. Dr. Abraham also complimented Consul General Jaiswal for hoisting the largest number of programs at the New York Consulate every month compared to other MEA missions around the world.

    Indian Consul Vipul Dev said, “Yoga has become very popular in our life and personally I feel great that something like Yoga from my country has been adopted and owned by the rest of world.” He also added that Yoga brought positivity in his life. He also mentioned that the Indian Consulate in New York has been celebrating Yoga Day with community groups starting in the first week of June, including one at the Niagara Falls.

    While emphasizing upon the growing importance of Yoga in today’s times, Malik explained his vision behind Happy Life Yoga and its underlying philosophy, “A way of living inspired by the wisdom of Ayurveda, Yoga and Indian Philosophy, Happy Life Yoga is beneficial for one and all. The pandemic has made the world realize that it is of paramount importance to have good health, physically and emotionally, and the Happy Life Yoga platform can show how to achieve it.” One of the major highlights of the Happy Life Yoga event was the knowledge session moderated by Malik who is known for his ability to engage with his audience using the right mix of banter and substance. The event was energetic, informative, inspiring, and celebratory in nature. In his brief remarks, Tirlok Malik for propagating the power of Yoga globally through the Happy Life Yoga event.

    Speakers . From L to R: Prof. Indrajit Saluja, Indu Jaiswal, Anil Narang, Dr. Renee Mehrra, Neeta Bhasin, Deborah Fishman, Neha Lohia, Victoria Moran, Radhika Bhagat and Dr. Tara Shajan.

    The speakers at the event included Professor Indrajit Saluja (Chief Editor/Publisher, The Indian Panorama), Indu Jaiswal (Chairperson, Indian American Forum), Anil Narang (Vegan Ambassador), Lal Motwani (GOPIO International President), Neeta Bhasin (President, ASB Communications), Dr. Renee Mehra (Reenbow Media), Deborah Fishman (Founder of FED Talk), Neha Lohia (Filmmaker), Radhika Bhagat (CEO, Sacred Earth Trust), Dr. Tara Shajan (President, Indian Nurses Association), and Victoria Moran (Founder, Main Street Vegan Academy). The event was co-sponsored by The Indian Panorama and Indian American Forum.

    The event ended with a laughter session and message of “I Love Myself” even as Malik promised to bring more Happy Life Yoga events in the near future. Happy Life Yoga is the creation of Tirlok Malik. It is essentially an educational platform that offers a unique holistic approach to health and happiness using tools from Ayurveda, Indian Philosophy, and Yoga to help better manage modern-day challenges such as work, finances, relationships, family and other social pressures. It was launched in June 2019 in New York. Malik’s portfolio of work has won many awards and has been acclaimed in the media and people worldwide. Through his work he intends to inspire others to live happier and healthier lives and the journey continues.

    Part of the audience at the zoom session of Happy Life Yoga.

    During the program, GOPIO International President Lal Motwani, who also serves as honorary chair of GOPIO-New York chapter, spoke on Yoga and cited that one has to make others happy to be happy yourself. GOPIO-Manhattan Chapter President Shivender Sofat invited the community to participate in other chapter activities including welcoming new students from India for a Welcome Dinner event in late September. He further added on the various services from the chapter including community feeding on the last Monday of every month and invited members of the community to sponsor this effort. GOPIO-Manhattan Chapter Board Member Siddharth Jain, who managed the Zoom session gave the vote of thanks.

    Also present at the event were community leaders including India Association of Long Island President Bina Sabapathy, GOPIO International Coordinator Dr. Asha Samant, Rakesh Agarwal of UP Association of North America, AIA Secretary Gunjan Rastogi, who is also Regional VP of NFIA and Sudhir Vaishnav of Bhartiya Vidhya Bhavan.

    GOPIO-Manhattan, in accordance with its mission to serve the larger society and those in need, has taken several initiatives in the recent past. A Community Feeding is organized by the Chapter providing ​vegan or ​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.

    For additional information on GOPIO Manhattan, contact President Shivender Sofat at 731-988-6969, e-mail: info@gopiomanhattan.org or visit here: https://gopiomanhattan.org/ Facebook Link: GOPIO Manhattan NYC

  • Press Conference held to Commemorate the festival of Diwali at Times Square on 30 October 2021

    Press Conference held to Commemorate the festival of Diwali at Times Square on 30 October 2021

    Mr. Vipul Dev, Consul, Political and PIC deputized for the Consul General Randhir Kumar Jaiswal who was caught up in travel.
    Media persons, Performers, and Sponsors of Diwali at Times Square with Consul Vipul Dev and DATS organizers led by Neeta Bhasin.

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): The most awaited and widely celebrated Festival of Lights, Diwali is back once again at the biggest crossroads of the world, Times Square, NY. Diwali marks the victory of good over evil, light over dark. Samman for All and advisory board members of ‘ShopRite Diwali at Times Square in association with Samman for all’ held the Press conference at the Consulate of India NY to commemorate the beginning of the Diwali at Times Square on October 30th at Times Square. It was attended by Media Houses, Performers, and the Sponsors of Diwali at Times Square. The program started with Ganesh Pooja followed by Diya Lighting Ceremony and Presentation by Neeta Bhasin, Founder of Diwali at Times Square where she shared the details of the upcoming festival. Sponsors like Shoprite and American Airlines spoke of the significance and importance of cultural event as big as Diwali at Times Square and its impact on the community.Mr. Vipul Dev, Consul of Politics and PIC congratulated Neeta Bhasin for promoting the art and culture of India from Times Square.

    Our objective this year is to bring the light of positivity in the lives of people especially since the dark gloom of the pandemic has engulfed us. Through this event, we want to uplift the spirit of the community and share the message of love, togetherness,inclusion, and diversity.

    “ShopRite Diwali at Times Square” in association with the non-profit“Samman for All” is displaying the rich ‘Colors of India’ via itsart and cultureright in the heart of Times Square on October 30, 2021, starting at 1:00pm EST.

    According to the founder of Diwali at Times Square,Neeta Bhasin,“Understanding different cultures makes us realize that the basic tenets of all cultures are the same. However, the difference in expression is what enriches the tapestry of our lives.”
    The celebration continues throughout the day into the evening with the traditional Diwali custom of ‘Diya (Lamp) Lighting’ceremony on stage which will also be projected on the tallest billboard in Times Square followed by a rousing musical extravaganza – ‘The Light Up Times Square’ concert with international singer Jay Sean and other performers will be entertaining people with their superhit songs.

    Due to its resounding success in the past years, the festival has also garnered praise and recognition by various media outlets as well as the US Government as being one of the largest Indian festivals outside of India.

    This year, Diwali at Times Square has an association with ‘Samman for all’ not-for-profit organization. Director of ‘Samman for All’ said’ Our goal is to help people achieve a dignified living – a life that they can call their own. We wish this Diwali brighten the lives of people”. ”Diwali is an integral part of our cultural heritage. It represents our values, traditions, diversity and thought. Diwali at Times Square brings people from all walks of life together to celebrate the festival of Diwali. We would like to congratulate the Producer, Mrs. Neeta Bhasin, for meaningfully promoting Indian culture and our universal ideas in the US.” Said Mr. Randhir Jaiswal, Consul General of India NY,

    The ShopRite stated ‘South Asian community is a very important part of our community, and we want everyone to taste the Diwali Celebration with Shoprite. We look forward to celebrating the festival of Delight at Times Square this year!! Harry Singh Bolla, President & C.E.O, Bolla Oil Corp “I know how Diwali is a cheerful and nostalgic festival! It reminds me of happy times from my childhood. “Let’s come together and celebrate Diwali at Times Square on October 30 and cherish all the good times” Special thanks to our Title Sponsor ShopRite, Airline Partner American Airline, Diya (Lamp) Lighting with the countdown partner Bolla Market and our sponsors Northwell Health, Northlandz, State bank of India and Nazranaa.

    Samman for All. mission is to facilitate people from the lower-economic strata to achieve their dreams by providing them with tools for sustainable living.

    Event Guru WorldWide is a premier full-service event company specializing in festivals, concerts, tradeshows, gala dinners and press conferences. We conceptualize and implement events of all sizes and statures.

    (Based on a Press Release issued by Harsh Sinha)