NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Yoga mats were rolled out at the iconic New York city landmark World Trade Centre as a special event at the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere kickstarted the 75-day countdown to the 11th International Day of Yoga. The Consulate General of India in New York hosted a special “75 days to go” yoga session, a countdown to the 11th International Day of Yoga, which will be commemorated globally on June 21.
Overlooking expansive aerial views of Manhattan and New Jersey, the special yoga session was held early morning on a rainy Monday on the 102nd floor of the One World Observatory at the 1,776 feet tall One World Trade Centre, built near the site of the Twin Towers that were destroyed in the 9/11 terror attacks. Consul General of India in New York Binaya Pradhan told the participants that the over the hour-long session celebrates the 75-day countdown to the International Day of Yoga.
The special yoga session at the One World Observatory was led by eminent yoga and meditation instructor Ruchika Lal of the Art of Living Foundation and attended by Deputy Consul General of India in New York Vishal Harsh, members of the Indian diaspora, students, yoga enthusiasts and practitioners. Pradhan “kickstarted the countdown with a soulful Yoga session on the 102nd Floor” of One World Trade Centre – “the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and a symbol of resilience and hope”, the Consulate said in a post on X.
“The session included meditation, Yogasanas, breathwork & self-awareness techniques — a powerful way to begin the day with peace and positivity. The session brought together members of the Indian Diaspora and friends of India in a shared celebration of health, harmony and holistic living,” the post added.
Lal said that a “venue that had the most gruesome act of terrorism is now bringing people together in yoga”.
Describing the session as “amazing”, she said a yoga session “from the top of the world” is the best way to be counting down to the International Day od Yoga.
Before commencing the yoga session, Lal told the participants that the One World Trade Center location had a violent history, making a reference to the 9/11 attacks, but added that “yoga is all about bringing people together, bringing minds together. That we are all coming here together in peace is quite incredible.”
In the run-up to the Yoga Day commemoration in June, several events will be held across the US — from the Times Square and the UN headquarters to other iconic destinations — culminating in grand Yoga Day celebrations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had led a historic Yoga Day commemoration at the North Lawn in the UN headquarters in 2023, nine years after first proposing from the UN General Assembly podium to mark International Yoga Day on June 21 as an annual commemoration.
(Source: PTI)
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
From L to R: Chief Guest Consul Vipul Dev, Indian Consulate, New York (USA) and Special Guest Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Rep. for Illinois’s 8th congressional district.From L to R (Upper Row): Tirlok Malik, Prof. Indrajit Saluja, Indu Jaiswal, Dr. Jaya Daptardar, Dr. Tara Shajan, Sangeeta Agarawal. From L to R (Lower Row): Dr. Thomas Abraham, Consul Vipul Dev, Dr. Renee Mehrra, Anil Narang, Victoria Moran, Domini Monroe.Part of the audience at the zoom session of Happy Life Yoga.
NEW YORK (TIP): On the occasion of International Yoga Day 2022, GOPIO Northeast chapters in cooperation with the Indian Consulate in New York and Emmy-nominated filmmaker and Happy Life Yoga speaker Tirlok Malik hosted a highly interactive and informative Yoga Zoom event on June 23rd featuring experts and speakers from various walks of life. Mr. Randhir Jaiswal, Consul General of India in New York sent his best wishes to GOPIO and Malik for celebrating the International Yoga Day 2022. The chief guest Indian Consul Vipul Dev, who looks after Political, Press, Information and Culture at the Indian Consulate, New York (USA) and special guest Congressman Subramanian Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Indian-born American businessman who has been serving as the U.S. representative for Illinois’s 8th congressional district since 2017, were 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 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, Indian American Forum, GOPIO Chapters (New York, Central New York, Central Jersey, Edison and Connecticut).
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 hold the celebration at the Times Square in New York City.
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.
In his brief remarks, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi congratulated GOPIO and Tirlok Malik for propagating the power of Yoga globally through the Happy Life Yoga event. “Today, the International Yoga Day has evolved into in major annual event that’s celebrated all across the globe. The key is to celebrate Yoga as a health practice that is truly universal. I would like to congratulate GOPIO and Mr. Malik for playing an active role in propagating the power of Yoga.”
One of the major highlights of the Happy Life Yoga event was the knowledge sessions moderated by Malik who is known for his ability to engage with his audience using the right mix of banter and substance.
The distinguished speakers included Prof. Indrajit Saluja (Chief Editor/Publisher, The Indian Panorama), Indu Jaiswal (Chairperson, Indian American Forum), Sangeeta Agarawal (CEO and Founder, Helpsy), Dr. Jaya Daptardar (Author and Ayurveda Practitioner), Domini Monroe (Model and Actress), Dr. Tara Shajan (President, Nurse Association), Prakhar Gupta (Podcaster), Dr. Renee Mehrra (Reenbow Media), Anil Narang (Vegan Ambassador), Anna Pillai (Ayurveda Practitioner), and Victoria Moran (Founder, Main Street Vegan Academy).
The event ended with a thunderous applause 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 media and people worldwide. Through his work he intends to inspire others to live happier and healthier lives and the journey continues.
During the program, GOPIO Foundation Executive Trustee Lal Motwani, who also serves as honorary chair of GOPIO-New York chapter spoke on the new initiative from the chapter on launching India Collection of Books at the Queens Public Library on August 13th when the library will also honor India for its 75th Independence. GOPIO-Manhattan Chapter Board Member Siddharth Jain spoke 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 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. GOPIO-New York President Beena Kothari, who managed the Zoom session gave the vote of thanks. Also present at the event were community leaders including AIA National President Govind Munjal, India Association of Long Island President Bina Sabapathy, The Kerala Center President Alex Esthappan, Milan Cultural Association President Suresh Sharma, Indo American Senior Citizen Association President Mukund Mehta and community leader Pam Kwatra.
Participants in the Yoga session.A Yoga posture with Ms. Ruchika Lal.From L to R: Prem Bhandari, Guest of Honor Swami Avdheshanand Ji, Prof. Indrajit Saluja, and an unidentified gentleman at the IDY celebrations at the Times Square.
Thousands, including Consulate and government of India undertakings staff participated
NEW YORK CITY (TIP): The 8th International Day of Yoga (IDY) was celebrated by the Consulate General of India in New York at the iconic Times Square, the cross-roads of the World, today. This year the Yoga celebrations were special, for they formed part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – 75 years of India’s Independence.
In his remarks on the occasion, Consul General iterated the growing popularity of yoga which is as much about physical heath as it is about spiritual wellbeing and living in harmony with nature. Popular Spiritual Guru, Swami Avdheshanand Ji graced the occasion as Guest of Honor. In keeping with this year’s theme, Yoga for Humanity, he spoke of yoga’s contribution in promoting health, peace and harmony in the world. The lead Yoga session was conducted by renowned Yoga expert Ms. Ruchika Lal of the Art of Living Foundation from 0930-1030 hrs.
In addition, several rounds of yoga sessions were also conducted throughout the day. The day-long event was attended by around 10,000 people. The session was telecast live in India as part of the ”Guardian Ring” which covered Yoga events from around the world, underlining One Sun One Earth concept, showcasing the unifying power of Yoga transcending borders.
The Times Square yoga event by the Consulate also displayed a variety of holistic health, Ayurvedic and nature-based wellness products from India. These products and superfoods were promoted under the ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP) initiative of the Government of India. Some of these products included organic turmeric, ginger, cardamom tea, Araku Valley Coffee and Millet pasta. Ginger flakes and organic turmeric from Sikkim, India’s first fully organic state, were also displayed and gifted to yoga enthusiasts. Sourced from across India with assistance of ‘Invest India’, products at the Consulate’s stall generated excitement amongst the visitors who were eager to learn about their uniqueness and health benefits.
Excitement in the run up to the 8th International Day of Yoga was quite apparent in the large turnout that a number of curtain raiser events saw. These were organized in the weeks ahead of the June 21 celebration at Times Square. The celebrations started on 1st June with a World Yoga Festival organized by the World Yoga Community. Indo-American Arts & Cultural Forum held a yoga session in association with Center for the Women of New York on June 4 at Bayside, New York. Community members turned up in large numbers for the Yoga Cruise on East River on June 12 organized by the World Vegan Vision. YuVa Shakti discussed benefits of yoga for people with advanced age through a virtual session on June 17. Yoga sessions were also held on June 18 and 19 by Vihangam Yoga.
For the first time, IDY was also celebrated on the US side of Niagara Falls. The Consulate General partnered with Buffalo-Niagara Tamil Mandram and Indian Associations of Buffalo to organize Yoga event at the Goat Island of Niagara Falls State Park on June 19, 2022. This was the first time that IDY was celebrated on the US side of the world’s most famous waterfall. Members of Buffalo Network of Religious Communities, an organization comprising members of different religious groups participated in the yoga celebrations which also brought together Indian students studying in various Universities in Buffalo. The celebrations will now be a regular feature of Buffalo-Niagara region’s culture calendar.
Several other Yoga events are also planned in and around New York. GOPIO, Manhattan organized a virtual event on June 23. On June 25, Isha Foundation and Vihangham Yoga will celebrate IDY at Bridgewater, New Jersey and Shri Venkateshwara Temple NJ will organize a yoga event at Hartsdale, New York. Connecticut will see Yoga celebrations in Manchester on June 26 by MILAN Cultural Association.
The United Nations, in December 2014, had unanimously adopted a resolution piloted by India to celebrate International Day of Yoga on June 21 which is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Since 2015, International Day of Yoga is being celebrated on a large scale across the globe enhancing awareness about the multifaceted benefits of Yoga. Government of Sikkim, Invest India, TRIFED, State Bank of India, ICICI, Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Tetley, CaratLane and Art of Living supported the Consulate General of India in celebrating the 8th International Day of Yoga in New York.
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