• By Sheila Chaman

NEW YORK CITY (TIP): New York is an exotic city and holds within itself a lot of Moments and memories for everyone who visits this ‘happening place”
New York City is often described with sayings that highlight its energy, diversity, and ambition. Common phrases include “The city that never sleeps,” “The concrete jungle where dreams are made of,” and “The capital of the world.”

It is always a pleasure to be in NYC during the summer. I particularly enjoy attending the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations HQ, where I have the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. I have had the privilege of being a part of this wonderful event every year on 21st June since it was first held in 2015, efficiently organized by the Permanent Mission of India in New York. Such gatherings bring together people of different cultures from various parts of the World who come together in collective effervescence under the banner of YOGA, which is a way of Life. These experiences always leave me with a wealth of happy memories and strengthened connections. The motto for this year’s International Day of Yoga was “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”. This theme emphasizes the interconnectedness between personal well-being and the health of the planet, highlighting yoga’s role in promoting both individual and planetary harmony.

This year the day was celebrated on 20th June and the North lawns of the UNHQ saw a record gathering of over a thousand people spread out on colorful yoga mats wearing white T shirts printed with the YOGA logo
( both generously provided by the PMI). The entire programme was ably conducted by Ms. Denise Scotto whom I have known for some years. She is an attorney at law, international policy advisor, public speaker, interfaith minister & Founding Chair of a variety of international committees, most recently, the International Day of Yoga Committee at the UN.

The Brahma Kumaris (“Daughters of Brahma”) is a spiritual movement that originated in Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan during the 1930s. Founded by Lekhraj Kripalani, the organization teaches the importance of moving beyond labels associated with the human body, including race, nationality, religion, and gender, through meditation that emphasizes the concept of identity as souls rather than bodies. It aims to establish a global culture centered around what they refer to as “soul-consciousness”. Women continue to hold primary leadership positions within the organization and are addressed as ‘Sister’. The BK ( short form for Brahma Kumari) , with its spiritual headquarters in Mount Abu, India, comprises a worldwide network of centers in more than 110 countries and is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) of the United Nations accredited with General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Sister Sabita Geer is part of a team of 3 persons who coordinate its activities from Brahma Kumari’s office at the United Nations NYC office situated near the UNHQ. Meetings at their Center are a soul rewarding experience with soft embalming words and meditation sessions. I was invited, along with a small group of people to the BK’s UN office, to an exclusive meeting with senior Sister Jayanti Kirpalani, who is exceptionally articulate on the subject of spiritual knowledge and practice. The session lasted an hour which seemed to pass by swiftly as we drifted along spiritual waves of meditation.

It was also very enriching to hear about the activities of New York State during my meeting with Mr. Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner in the Mayor’s office for International Affairs. “We break bread and build bonds” he said as the office often holds meetings with people of different faiths and religions who come together to discuss various matters of common interest and improvements to the City.” They all bring their own food to the table” Mr. Chauhan told me. He is the Deputy Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Innovation in the NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs. He helps promote economic development initiatives in this role by fostering strategic international partnerships and supporting international business expansion to New York City. He works closely with the United Nations, Consulates General, Permanent Missions, and the private sector to promote NYC’s economic growth and resilience. My upcoming book, “Doordarshan Diaries: The Golden Era of Television,” offers a unique look into Doordarshan’s evolution from black and white to color broadcasting. Having spent three decades at India’s National Television Channel, I witnessed its transition and transformation firsthand. The book promises a nostalgic journey for some, with behind-the-scenes accounts and untold stories. For others, it will be an enlightening education on how we successfully managed a broadcast channel with limited resources, covering every department from presentation and programming to production and engineering.

I remain in touch with some colleagues from my days as a News anchor at Doordarshan, and we often connect to reminisce. One such friend and news colleague is Mr. Ramu Damodaran, who was among our best newscasters. Known for his photographic memory, he would read a few lines from the page below, look into the camera, and recite them from memory. We all envied his talent.
During my annual summer visit to New York, I always make sure to meet up with Ramu . A former officer of the Indian foreign services, he joined the United Nations Department of Global Communications in 1996 and concluded his career with the UN in May 2021. Our conversations are always lively, covering old times, former colleagues, friends, and, of course, Doordarshan. This year was no exception; Ramu remains as articulate and youthful as ever. I updated him on the Doordarshan book, mentioning his inclusion in the “News” section. Like many others, he’s eagerly awaiting its release, which is now with the publishers.

(Sheila Chaman, a Miss India, was a popular News Anchor with Doordarshan in its heyday)