The Indian Panorama

Tag: Yoga

  • 5th International Day of Yoga Celebrations kick off at the United Nations

    5th International Day of Yoga Celebrations kick off at the United Nations

    UNITED NATIONS (TIP): 5th International Day of Yoga celebrations kicked off at the United Nations, with a laser lighting display of Yoga at the iconic United Nations building, June 19.

    After the overwhelming success of last few years’ International Day of Yoga celebrations, Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations   made it larger in the fifth edition. Instead of a single day celebration, this time it is a larger than life event.

    Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York said: “ UN has a special place in the remarkable growth of Yoga in our own lifetimes. It was here that the ancient practice of Yoga was transformed into an annual global observance”.

    While addressing the 69th session of UNGA on Septembe2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the world community to adopt an International Day of Yoga. On December 11, 2014, the 193 members UNGA approved the proposal by consensus to declare 21 June as “International Day of Yoga.” In its resolution, the UNGA recognized that Yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being and wider dissemination of information about the benefits of practicing Yoga for the health of the world population. Yoga also brings harmony in all walks of life and thus, is known for disease prevention, health promotion and management of many lifestyle-related disorders. Keeping these in mind, the Government of India has adopted IDY Logos and a Common Yoga Protocol, a booklet intended to give a brief overview about Yoga and Yogic practices in order to orient the readers towards comprehensive health for an individual and the community.

    From its maiden year IDY became hugely popular around the globe.  Yoga Day also follows different themes each year. The theme for this year’s World Yoga Day is ‘Yoga for Heart’ which highlights how beneficial yoga is towards reducing cardiovascular risk.

    On the occasion of the 5th International Day of Yoga, the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York has organized five events at the United Nations Headquarters in New York:

    EVENT ONE

    Projection of Yoga Postures

    On North Facade of UN Headquarters Building

    Wednesday 19 June 2019

    EVENT TWO

    Yoga with the Gurus

    Thursday 20 June 2019

    North Lawn, United Nations Headquarters

    The outdoor event at North Lawn of United Nations had a Yoga Session led by Yoga Gurus Swami Paramananda of (Sivananda), Kevin Tobar and his associates from Bhakti Cente and Sunaina Rekhi from India. In addition, there was musical and dance performances by” Indian Raga”.  Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General was the Chief Guest.

    EVENT THREE

    Panel Discussion

    Theme: Yoga for Climate Action

    Friday 21 June 2019

    ECOSOC Chamber, United Nations Headquarters

    1100-1230 Hrs

    Moderator

    Ambassador K. Nagaraj Naidu,

    Deputy Permanent Representative

    Panelists

    Gaur Gopal Das

    Lifestyle coach & motivational speaker

    Srinivasan

    Acharya, International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre

    Eddie Stern

    Yoga teacher, author & lecturer

    Simon Haas

    Author, speaker & philosopher

    Kusumita Pedersen

    Professor of Religious Studies, St. Francis College, Brooklyn

    EVENT FOUR 

    PANEL DISCUSSION

    Theme – Yoga and Climate Action 

    1300 – 1500 Hrs

    ECOSOC CHAMBER

    Moderator 

    Renee Mehrra

    Panelists 

    Kyle McDonald (Institute of International Social Development, NGO with the UN)

    Renee Mehrra (Science of Spirituality, NGO with the UN, UNSRC SOS Club)

    Poonam Gupra (Laughter Yoga)

    Germany Bravo-Casas (UNSRC Yoga Club)

    Guru Dileepji (World Yoga Community)

    EVENT FIVE

    1. Exhibition on Yoga

    South Wall, Near East Lounge

    United Nations Headquarters

    On display until 21 June

    1. Exhibition on International Day of Yoga – World Photo Series

    Curved, Near East Lounge

    United Nations Headquarters

    On display from 19-21 June

  • International Day of Yoga Celebrations Planned in Houston

    International Day of Yoga Celebrations Planned in Houston

    Manu Shah

    HOUSTON, TX (TIP): The Consulate General of India, Houston in collaboration with Friends of Yoga, is organizing several events across Texas to celebrate the 5th International Day of Yoga.

    This ancient Indian practice received unprecedented global attention four years ago when the United Nations recognized June 21st as the International Day of Yoga. An initiative of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who himself starts his morning with yoga, the first IDY in 2015 saw people turning out in huge numbers stretching and breathing mindfully at public parks, convention centers and open spaces.

    Yoga’s soaring popularity can be seen from the crowds that join in the celebration every year. From serious yoga practitioners to curious beginners, each successive IDY has been drawing bigger crowds and garnering greater interest. As with every year, this year too will feature a lineup of common yoga practices, relaxation techniques and guided meditation by well-known yoga instructors. An added attraction is an Indian Vegetarian Food Festival which will be held at select places to mark the 150th year of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary,

    Houston will celebrate IDY on Friday, June 21 on the lush green lawns of Midtown Park (2811, Travis St, Houston Texas 77006).

    The event will begin at 6:00 pm with a demonstration of some of the more difficult yoga postures (asanas) and a cultural program. After brief remarks from the Consul General of India, Dr. Anupam Ray, the guided group yoga (Asanas or Postures), Relaxation, Pranayama and Meditation will be led by different yoga experts. The event will wrap up at 7:30 pm with a color powder dance party or Holi as it is known in India. (RSVP at yogadayoftexas2019.eventbrite.com)

    Coordinator of Houston’s yoga events and a firm believer in yoga for optimum health, Sharad Amin expressed his appreciation for the cooperation from Houston’s yoga community in celebrating IDY for the past four years. Yoga is a precious gift given by Indian sages to humanity, he noted, and emphasized the importance of practicing yoga for good health every day. “Each one should teach one” the health benefits of yoga as it is key to “being and well-being,” he added.

    The Hindu Temple of The Woodlands will host the event on Saturday June 22 from 7:30 -10am at the Town Green Park. (2099 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77380). Opening remarks will be made by Consul General Dr. Anupam Ray followed by yoga practices from participating yoga studios, Surya Namaskars or the Sun Salutation practice by HTW Yoga Group and the 35-minute yoga protocol set by the Government of India led by renowned yoga instructors Sriram Sarvotam and his wife Ekaterina Jeleva. The morning will conclude with a guided meditation session.

    Yoga Teachers

    The Consulate General of India, Houston has also planned a series of events in Austin, Dallas and San Antonio.

    IDY will be observed in front of the stately State Capitol building in Austin on Saturday June 15 at 6:00 pm (1100 Congress Ave. Austin, Texas 78701), in Dallas on 22nd June, Saturday at 8:00 am at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza (1201 Hidden Ridge Dr., Irving, Texas, 75038) and in San Antonio on 21st June, Friday at 6:00 pm at the Riverwalk Mall (San Antonio, TX – 78205).

    In addition to these main events, multiple events are being organized at churches, temples, community centers, Arya Samaj Greater Houston, Brahma Kumaris, India House, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Shakas (HSS), Jamatkhanas and Patanjali Yogpeeth USA Trust between 15th and 23rd June.

    Please visit the following links for more information:

    Website : http://yogadayoftexas.org/

    Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/yogadayoftexas/

    Twitter : https://twitter.com/yogadayoftexas

    The events are free and open to all. Bring your yoga mats and plan to arrive 20 minutes ahead to find a comfortable spot.

    (The events are being organized in association with The Art of Living Foundation, Arya Samaj Greater Houston, Brahma Kumaris Texas, Ekal Vidyalaya, Hindus of Greater Houston, Hindus Swayamsevak Sangh, Hindu Temple of the Woodlands, His Highness Aga Khan Council for the Southwestern United States, IMAGH, India House, IDoYoga, Isha Foundation, JK Yog, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial of North Texas, Midtown Houston, Patanjali Yogapeeth USA Trust, Pralaya Yoga, Sahaj Yoga, Sewa International, Youniversoul Fest, Vyasa USA, Yoga Studios, Yoga Friends and volunteers.)

  • Hundreds of Cities across world will celebrate International Day of Yoga, June 21

    Hundreds of Cities across world will celebrate International Day of Yoga, June 21

    In December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution, co-sponsored by 177 countries, and declared June 21 as International Day of Yoga with a view to promoting  a healthier lifestyle.

    The first International Day of Yoga was celebrated on June 21, 2015.Since then, International Day of Yoga is observed each year in hundreds of cities across  the world.

  • AIA Undertakes Renovation of a Higher Secondary School Building in Kerala

    AIA Undertakes Renovation of a Higher Secondary School Building in Kerala

    NEW YORK (TIP): Association of Indians in America is the grassroots organization established in 1967 . It is well known for its social, cultural and educational   activities.  AIA has been serving India by sending funds from time to time,   like during Earthquake , Flooding  Disasters  etc.

    This is the first time AIA has undertaken to do  complete  renovation of  a school destroyed by flooding In Kerala

    AIA leadership is committed to the task

    AIA  is renovating a school in Ayoor village in Kerala . This school was totally submerged and destroyed  by Floods   in Aug. 2018. Funds were raised in Oct. 2018 and again on May 5th 2019 . The school was up to 4th grade but on request of villagers,  AIA will sponsor for school to be a  Higher Secondary School. This School will benefit several villages . School will be run by  Vidya Bharati Shiksha  Sansthan.

    Vidya Bharati  gives  both education  and  Sanskaras  to its students.Children learn Yoga , Meditation, Martial Arts etc.   Most of children from this school go for  higher education and become professionals . PM Narendra Modi   praised the education  at  Vidya Bharati Schools. He said  students at these schools are  usually patriotic ,  and come out as great citizens . AIA national president  Urmilesh Arya said,  “Education is the best gift we can give to children back home , and  good patriotic citizens are  the best gift to our Motherland”.

  • India Pavilion showcases strengths of Indian education system

    India Pavilion showcases strengths of Indian education system

    WASHINGTON (TIP): India’s Ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla inaugurated Education Promotion Society of India (EPSI)’s India Pavilion at 2019 NAFSA Annual Conference and Expo on May 28. Ambassador also addressed the participants at the EPSI Pavilion. Education Promotion Society of India (EPSI), a not for profit organization from India put up the pavilion to offer an opportunity to education administrators from across the globe to acquaint themselves with the strengths of Indian education system.

    Noting that the Indian Education system is the world’s third largest Higher Education System with 907 universities, 43,000 colleges and a capacity of enrolling more than a whopping 30 million students, the Ambassador explained how the higher education institutions in India offer courses/degrees that are competitive in the world market in terms of quality but are delivered at one-fourth the cost.

    “The Indian Education system is vast in size, as well as its academic offerings. A vibrant and diverse education system means a wide variety of courses are available; from the modern and cutting edge to the traditional. Indian education ranges from exposure to the latest advancements of science and technology like Virtual and Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Computing to Yoga, Ayurveda, Sanskrit, languages, and classical music and dances. This vastness of the Indian education system directly translates to enhanced opportunities for its students and global learning for an all-round academic and personal development”, he said.

    Ambassador visited the pavilion set up by Educational Consultants India Limited (EdCIL) at the NAFSA Expo and lauded their initiative ‘Study in India.’ The web portal, ‘Study in India’ developed by EdCIL is a wonderful platform for students and education administrators across the globe to understand the process of getting admission into Indian Universities.

    Later, a delegation of top educators led by the President of the Board of Trustees of MIT Peace University, Pune also called on Ambassador and presented plans for a joint conference to exchange best practices in the education sector.

    Ambassador visited the pavilion set up by Educational Consultants India Limited (EdCIL) at the NAFSA Expo and lauded their initiative ‘Study in India.’
  • INDIAN ORIGIN YOGA CHAMPION NAMED ‘BRITISH INDIAN OF THE YEAR’

    INDIAN ORIGIN YOGA CHAMPION NAMED ‘BRITISH INDIAN OF THE YEAR’

    LONDON(TIP): Indian-origin schoolboy who is the under-11 UK national yoga champion has been named the British Indian of the Year for his achievements in the field.

    Ishwar Sharma, 8, has won a string of titles in both individual and artistic yoga, most recently a gold medal representing Great Britain at the World Student Games 2018 in Winnipeg, Canada, in June.

    “I believe I am competing with myself rather than anyone else, which makes me challenge myself to do the difficult postures,” said the schoolboy, who studies at St Michael’s Preparatory School in Kent.

    “I will always be a student of yoga and am deeply grateful to my teachers for the wisdom they have shared with me,” he said.

    He was named British Indian of the Year in the Young Achiever category at the sixth annual awards ceremony held in Birmingham earlier this week.

    “We feel proud of his achievements and it has improved his academic performance. We want him to inspire adults and other children with this lifestyle habit,” said his father Vishwanath, himself a keen yoga practitioner.

    “He and I perform Vedic Yoga with choreography to music, which includes Hatha Yoga postures with Acroyoga and artistic yoga,” he said.

    The family is originally from Mysore, home to world-renowned yoga gurus, and travel to the region annually.

    “He rejuvenates himself there and would love to stay for more time and get yoga training with the teachers there,” added Vishwanath.

    His son has performed in more over 100 events across the UK and worldwide and among his many skills is the ability to chant up to 50 ‘shlokas’ from the ‘Vedas’ and ‘Bhagavad Gita’. He won a gold medal at the Euro Asian Yoga Championships in Turkey in May and has also performed at a number of charity events to raise funds for the under-privileged.

    Some of his upcoming competitions include one in Chile in December and then Beijing in January next year. He is also training for the World Games in Canada next year.

    “Ishwar is determined to spread awareness about yoga and its benefits, especially among children,” his father said.

     

  • Yoga can help school children manage anxiety & stress, per Tulane University study

    Yoga can help school children manage anxiety & stress, per Tulane University study

    LOUISIANA(TIP): Yoga/mindfulness activities may facilitate stress management among elementary school students and may be added as a complement to social and emotional learning activities, according to a Tulane University study.

    Published April 10 in Psychology Research and Behavior Management Journal, the school-based study “Effect of mindfulness and yoga on quality of life for elementary school students and teachers” suggested that “yoga/mindfulness interventions may improve symptoms of anxiety among students”.

    The intervention was associated with a significant improvement in emotional and psychosocial quality of life in the intervention group when compared to the control group, the study concluded.

    Welcoming the results of the study, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement to The Indian Panorama, urged all the elementary schools of Louisiana to introduce yoga in their curriculums so that the students could explore various benefits yoga offered.

    Yoga, referred as “a living fossil”, was a mental and physical discipline, for everybody to share and benefit from, whose traces went back to around 2,000 BCE to Indus Valley civilization, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, noted.

    Rajan Zed further said that yoga, although introduced and nourished by Hinduism, was a world heritage and liberation powerhouse to be utilized by all. According to Patanjali who codified it in Yoga Sutra, yoga was a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical.

    According to US National Institutes of Health, yoga may help one to feel more relaxed, be more flexible, improve posture, breathe deeply, and get rid of stress. According to a “2016 Yoga in America Study”, about 37 million Americans (which included many celebrities) now practice yoga; and yoga is strongly correlated with having a positive self-image.  Yoga was the repository of something basic in the human soul and psyche, Zed added.

    Objective of the Tulane study included: To assess the impact of a yoga curriculum in an elementary school on student quality of life… benefits of introducing yoga and mindfulness into the classroom. Study group included 20 third-grade students of a public school in New Orleans who screened positive for symptoms of anxiety and participated in yoga/mindfulness activities for eight weeks. Researchers included Alessandra Bazzano, Christopher Anderson, Chelsea Hylton and Jeanette Gustat; reports suggest.

    Tulane University in New Orleans (Louisiana), whose history goes back to 1834, claims to be “one of the most well-respected research universities in the country”. Douglas J. Hertz and Michael A. Fitts are Board Chair and President respectively.

  • Yoga emerges among top 10 fitness trends worldwide

    Yoga emerges among top 10 fitness trends worldwide

    NEW YORK (TIP): Yoga has emerged among the top 10 fitness trends worldwide for 2018, according to “Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2018” by American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

    “The sustained popularity of yoga seems to be that it reinvents and refreshes itself every year making it an attractive form of exercise”, Survey points out. “Based on ancient tradition, yoga utilizes a series of specific bodily postures practiced for health and relaxation. This includes Power Yoga, Yogalates, Bikram, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Kripalu, Anurara, Kundalini, Sivananda and others”, ACSM release adds.

    It reportedly surveyed over 4,000 fitness professionals from Mexico, Chile, Columbia, Venezuela, Portugal, Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil, Serbia, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Taiwan, Switzerland, Jamaica, South Africa, Bermuda, Greece, Ireland, Finland, Kenya, New Zealand, China, Barbados, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Spain, Sweden, and the United States. Now in its twelfth year, this Survey provides 40 potential trends to choose from and claims to help the health and fitness industry make critical programming and business decisions.

    Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement said that Hindus were highly pleased with the fast and tremendous growth of yoga worldwide.

    Yoga, referred as “a living fossil”, was a mental and physical discipline, for everybody to share and benefit from, whose traces went back to around 2,000 BCE to Indus Valley civilization, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, noted.

    Rajan Zed further said that yoga, although introduced and nourished by Hinduism, was a world heritage and liberation powerhouse to be utilized by all. According to Patanjali who codified it in Yoga Sutra, yoga was a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical.

    According to US National Institutes of Health, yoga may help one to feel more relaxed, be more flexible, improve posture, breathe deeply, and get rid of stress. According to a “2016 Yoga in America Study”, about 37 million Americans (which included many celebrities) now practice yoga; and yoga is strongly correlated with having a positive self-image.  Yoga was the repository of something basic in the human soul and psyche, Zed added.

    Besides ACSM, other participating organizations included American Council on Exercise, National Council on Strength and Fitness and The Cooper Institute. Dr. Walter R. Thompson, associate dean at Georgia State University, is the President of ACSM, which is headquartered in Indianapolis and claims to be “world’s largest sports medicine and exercise science organization”.

  • Zee making the world a better place says FCC’s Ajit Pai

    Zee making the world a better place says FCC’s Ajit Pai

    WASHINGTON D.C. (TIP): Zee entertainment launched an annual program to identify and honor individuals and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the media & entertainment sector.

    Chairman Ajit Pai, was conferred with the inaugural “Zee Entertainment National Leadership Awards” at a special event on Capitol Hill this past week. He is the first Indian American to lead the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the US. Zee Entertainment is the biggest multicultural programmer in the United States with 35 networks in 14 languages.

    Amit Goenka, CEO International Broadcast Business said, “The selection of our inaugural honoree was not a difficult choice as he demonstrated a great commitment to promoting and protecting consumer interests particularly in our case in the areas of healthy living, wellness, news and entertainment.”

    The exclusive, by invite-only event saw more than 200 people in attendance from Washington DC’s power corridors which included nearly 25 congressmen and other very notable dignitaries. The 44-year old Republican attorney, Ajit Pai came across as very affable, conscious of his humble beginnings and deeply appreciative of his meteoric rise to the top of the federal agency. At the event, Pai acknowledged Dr. Subhash Chandra’s incredible achievement in creating a company like Zee, quite literally from nothing into the multimedia conglomerate that entertains about a billion people worldwide, despite the many roadblocks. Where people did not have the option to watch Bollywood movies at home in the US, Zee pioneered and changed the way people had access to content from India accessible to the Indian diaspora across the world 20 years ago.

    In continuation with Zee’s ethos; “Vasudhaiya Kutumbakam” (The World is my Family), Zee speaks not only to the Indians here but also to millions of Americans via Z Living which is a Health & Wellness network. It is America’s fastest growing network and stands firm behind its mantra “Prevention is better than cure”. Zee also speaks to the millions of Latino audiences in the country through its unique Bollywood in Spanish channel; Zee Mundo.

    An extension to this core belief in Health and Wellness, Zee has a one of its kind Natural Wellness Center, YO1 which stands for Yoga and Oneness. The idea behind this Wellness Center which is spread over 1300 acres in upstate NY is to focus on bringing our mind, body and soul as one.

    Along with Entertainment, Zee strongly believes in giving back to the community with its initiatives like Sarthi, ZEE is Green, Ekal Vidyalaya and the DSC foundation which just donated 1 Billion dollars for social entrepreneurship causes. The Zee is Green initiative was conferred a special Excellence award at IAA Olive Crown Awards 2016 for its leadership in various environmental projects. Also, Ekal Vidyalaya popularly known as A People’s Movement has been educating 1.5 million students across 54,000 free schools in India.

    Since Zee Entertainment has become synonymous with the Indian culture and Indians globally, it was a natural choice for the republican party to engage and partner with Zee Network to engage the Indian diaspora during the Trump Presidential campaign, Zee not only effectively planned and executed a 360 degree campaign, but it also coined the winning phrase; Ab ki Baar Trump Sarkar (This time, A Trump Government). The Republicans were smart enough to understand Indian Americans influence on the larger canvas, said Sameer Targe. Efforts included a Bollywood gala in NJ which had Donald Trump as the keynote speaker and Zee’s own SRGMP singers who were the real crowd pullers.

    (Press Release)

  • International Day of Yoga: Celebrating union of body and Consciousness

    International Day of Yoga: Celebrating union of body and Consciousness

    International Yoga day

    Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness. Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.

    Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131. The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.

    Yoga is more than just burning your calories and toning your muscles. It is a mind body workout where you have strengthening and stretching poses along with deep breathing techniques to relax your mind and body There are more than 100 different forms of yoga. Some are fast paced and intense. Others are gentle and relaxing. Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature and a holistic approach to health and well-being. The word yoga literally means union. Through yoga you can explore profoundly the very mechanics of life.

    International Day of Yoga at Times Square, New York

    The fact is that yoga is a way of life. While all the other exercises take care of your physical conditions, yoga helps you to control your mind and body. There are various yoga postures or asanas that help you to keep your body fit and healthy. Pranayama or breathing exercise helps you to rejuvenate your mind and soul. It is said you should begin your day with pranayama and it helps you to think better and stay calm and peaceful. Sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diet and stress – all these lead to various diseases. Yoga teaches you to control all these through exercises.

    Launching a particular date for practicing yoga all across the world and celebrating as yoga day was initiated by the Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi. In a yoga day essay for students, it is important to mention that international day of yoga which is also called as the world yoga day is celebrated on the 21st of June. The declaration was done after the call by the Indian Prime Minister to the United Nations General Assembly on 27th of September in 2014 during his address to the UN General Assembly.

    International Day of Yoga at the Queens Museum in 2016.

    The celebration of the event  international day of yoga is supported by various global leaders. More than 170 countries including USA, China, Canada took part in this event which was celebrated for the first time on the 21st of Jan 2015. It was celebrated on international level by organizing the activities like yoga training campus, yoga competitions and so many activities to enhance your awareness about the innumerable benefits that you can derive by practicing yoga on a daily basis. This event is celebrated to create the awareness of the wholesome effects of yoga among the public all over the world.

    Thus it can be concluded as; meditation or ‘dhyana’ teaches you how to discipline your mind. Through a systematic practice of yoga, you can overcome your negative thinking which in turn gives you confidence and enhances your mental power. This increases self-awareness and helps you to increase your attention and concentration; hence yoga is suitable for children also.

    The first International Day of Yoga was observed world over on 21 June 2015. … 35,985 people, including Narendra Modi and a large number of dignitaries from 84 nations, performed 21 yoga asanas (postures) for 35 minutes at Rajpath in New Delhi.

    The declaration of international day of yoga is a great moment for India. It took less than three months to be declared as the world yoga day by the United Nations general assembly. Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had called for it on 27th of September in 2014 which was finally declared on 11th of December in 2014. It was first ever in the history that the initiative of any country has been proposed and implemented in the UN body within 90 days. This resolution has been adopted under the global health and foreign policy by the general assembly in order to provide a holistic approach to you for your health and well-being.

    International Day of Yoga at the United Nations in 2016

    Official name of this day is UN International Yoga Day and also called as Yoga Day. It is a worldwide event celebrated by all countries through practicing yoga, meditation, debates, meetings, discussions, variety of cultural performances, etc.

    Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi has put his views for adopting a day especially for yoga while addressing to the United Nations General Assembly. He asked the world leaders for adopting international yoga day to deal with the declining health because of negative climate changes. Especially, he suggested 21st of June for adopting the international day of yoga as this day is the longest day in northern hemisphere regions as well as of great significance in many parts of the world.

    Yoga is a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation.

    The Myriad Benefits of Yoga are:

    Yoga is very necessary and beneficial for you if it is practiced on a daily basis in the morning. It is a combined workout of the mind and body which enhances your brain functions, reduces stress and rejuvenates your body and soul.

    Yoga is beneficial for the mental, physical and emotional development of children. In this world of fierce competition, yoga helps to reduce stress and tension.

    It helps you to gain flexibility, manage stress, improves posture, memory and concentration.

    Apart from these benefits, yoga also helps in flexibility of spine, induces relaxation and strengthens lower back.

    Thus on a final note, yoga helps you to achieve the perfect harmony between your mind, body and soul. It drives away all negativity from your system and promotes in the achievement of a healthy and a happy life.

  • ARREST WARRANT AGAINST INDIAN YOGA GURU IN US

    ARREST WARRANT AGAINST INDIAN YOGA GURU IN US

    LOS ANGELES (TIP): A Los Angeles judge has issued an arrest warrant for Bikram Choudhury, the Indian American “hot” yoga guru, after he failed to pay more than $7 million in 2016 to his former lawyer who was the victim in a sexual harassment case against him.

    Choudhury has not paid the lawyer and authorities believe that he has hidden his assets and left the country, ABC News reported on Wednesday.

    The 69-year-old yoga guru had claimed last year that he was nearly bankrupt as his business was no longer thriving. According to the report, the warrant, issued on Wednesday, allows authorities to arrest Choudhury if he returns to the US or, possibly, in Mexico.

    In January 2016, a jury determined that Choudhury had sexually harassed and then unfairly fired Minakshi “Miki” Jafa-Bodden, his onetime lawyer. He was ordered to pay nearly $6.5 million in punitive damages in addition to $924,000 in compensatory damages. Jafa-Bodden was general counsel to Bikram’s Yoga College of India but was fired after refusing to cover up allegations that Bikram had raped and sexually assaulted a yoga student.

    “I feel vindicated,” she told ABC News in 2016. “I’m elated.” She convinced the jury that Choudhury had repeatedly sexually harassed her and subjected her to obscene comments about women. Jafa-Bodden also claimed she was fired after she tried to investigate another woman’s sexual harassment and rape allegations against the yoga guru.

    During the trial over Jafa- Bodden’s allegations, Bikram strongly denied sexually assaulting any women. He also denied having any sexual contact with his students or followers. His bail was set at $8 million.

    Choudhury was one of the pioneers of yoga in the US, setting up shop in Beverly Hills in the 1970s.  His client list included top celebrities like Madonna, Andy Murray, Gwyneth Paltrow and Goldie Hawn. His yoga studios are franchised worldwide.

    Outside of court on Wednesday, Jafa- Bodden celebrated her latest legal victory, saying: “It’s a win for women everywhere who’ve endured sexual harassment.” “To have that bench warrant issued for Bikram…. It sends a message to a debtor like Bikram that he will be held accountable and that the wheels of justice, although they don’t turn as fast as we would want them to, they do turn,” she said. (Source: IANS)

  • Ground-Breaking Ceremony of Hare Krishna Temple in Naperville

    Ground-Breaking Ceremony of Hare Krishna Temple in Naperville

    CHICAGO, IL (TIP): Sunday May 21st marked the Bhumipuja or groundbreaking ceremony of ISKCON Naperville. The temple is currently an old building that was acquired by ISKCON about 7 years back. As the popularity of the temple grew in the area, the devotee & visitor base expanded considerably and the existing facilities are stretched to its limit, which led to a plan for a major expansion of the temple. The ground-breaking ceremony marked the beginning of this project.

    The Hare Krishna movement, International Society for Krishna consciousness (ISKCON), is a global community connecting to each other, the world around us, and God through service and the reciprocation of love.

    ISKCON, founded by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, has temples all over the world numbering over 650 temples, 65 eco-friendly farms with 12+ million followers. Naperville temple is one of the latest additions to this global community.

    The event was a huge success attended by approximately 1,000 people including ISKCON leaders, devotees, Greater Chicago residents, and various elected officials including Naperville mayor Steve Cherico. The event included a special vedic ceremony including fire sacrifice, and speeches by prominent personalities followed by lunch. Mayor Steve Cherico has been very supportive of the temple and is excited about this project. “The ISKCON temple brings a great element of diversity to the Naperville community” he said, in his speech at the event. He also said,

    “Programs like ISKCON are what makes Naperville a better place”. ISKCON Naperville temple is currently involved in various community programs. With the expansion of the temple several new programs will be added. One of ISKCON’s popular programs is instruction of the profound messages of the Bhagavad Gita, one of the greatest philosophical and religious dialogues known to man, a holy book of the vedic culture existing for thousands of years.

    Currently the temple offers this spiritual education for children and adults at the temple as well as in smaller personalized settings within the community known as Bhakti Vriksha programs. Other popular program include the vegetarian Prasadam (sanctified food) service which is a free Sunday feast offered to all visitors at the temple and it will be further expanded after the commercial kitchen is built in the new temple. The new temple will offer classes in devotional dance, music and art centered on Krishna. There are also plans to offer sessions in health and well-being, Yoga & meditation. The temple will also have facility to expand our winter and summer programs that are currently offered to children.

    Leadership and management training programs are planned to engage the youth in various services. The addition of all these programs will be a great gift to the Naperville community and to all visitors of the temple.The total cost of the temple expansion is approximately $4 Million of which around $600,000 has been pledged so far.

    This will allow the project to be completed in phases. Donations of any amount are welcome. ISKCON Naperville can be reached at info@IskconNaperville.org. For more information please visit www.IskconNaperville.org

    (Photographs and Press release:

    Asian Media USA)

  • NARADA JAYANTI

    NARADA JAYANTI

    Narada Jayanti is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Devrishi Narada Muni. According to Vedic Puranas and mythologies Devrishi Narada is a universal divine messenger and primary source of information among Gods. Narada Muni has the ability to visit all Teen Loks, Akash or Heaven Prithvi or Earth and Patal or Netherworld and is believed to be first journalist on the Earth. Narada Muni keeps travelling across the universe to communicate the information. However, most of His timely information creates trouble but that is for the betterment of the Universe.

    Sage Narada is ardent devotee of Lord Narayana, which is one of the forms of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu in the form of Narayana is considered an embodiment of the truth. Narada Jayanti is observed on Pratipada Tithi during Krishna Paksha of Jyeshtha month according to North Indian Purnimant calendar. According to South Indian Amavasyant calendar Narada Jayanti falls on PratipadaTithi during Krishna Paksha of Vaishakha month. It is name of Lunar month which differs and in both type of calendars Narada Jayanti falls on the same day.

    Dev Rishi Narad or Narad Muni is the son of Brahma and a devotee of Lord Vishnu. He is known for gossiping and knows all the news from around the universe. He is also known for creating fights among people by spicing up facts. Rather, he is believed to be the first journalist on earth.

    Normally in India, a person is called Narad Muni, if he tries to make two parties fight. One of the glorious descriptions in Vishnupurana says, “Naram nar samuham Kalahena dhyati Khandayatiti.” The one who is a fomenter of disputes among people is Narad. But he is never malicious or vengeful and never has any vested interest. He works for the ultimate good.

    Narad Muni’s personality is quite complex. Even though he seems playful and happy all the time, he can also become serious and wise. As per the mythology, he has executed many miraculous tasks on lord Vishnu’s behalf.

    Narad is shown a divine messenger. He is constantly wandering around in all three worlds and he gives information to all, the Devas, the Rakshas and the men. He is mentioned in Shabdakalpadruma as one who gives knowledge of God. “Naram paramatma vishyakam gyanam dadati iti nardah.” Let’s take a look at some amusing stories related with Narada…

    Demon Jalandhar and Narad Muni

    Samudra brought the mighty demon Jalandhar and thus Lakshmi, the daughter of Samudra, had a soft corner for him. As Jalandhar grew up he became the cruelest demon king and forced Indra and Devas to vacate their positions in Swarga. Vishnu remained neutral due to Lakshmi’s reluctance to harm Jalandhar.

    However, Narad Muni created a problem for Jalandhar on two counts. He told the pompous king that Shiva’s riches and powers were by far the most superior and that his wife Parvati was the prettiest woman in the Universe. Jalandhar started pursuing Parvati and picked a war with Lord Shiva. Finally Jalandhar faced Shiva in a battle and the latter slit his throat by a fiery chakra produced from his left toe!

    Narad and Tridevi

    Once the Tridevi were having major ego issues with one another. A cold war was on. Narad intuitively perceived this turbulence. He approached each Goddess separately and deliberately sang laurels of the other two. In order to prove supremacy over the other two, each Goddess decided to perform a miracle.

    The Goddess of Knowledge, Saraswati blessed a dumb and deaf man and made him a scholar overnight. Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, turned a poor lady into a queen. Finally, the Goddess of Strength, Parvati turned a coward into a mighty army leader. However, all hell broke loose when the people of the kingdom rebelled against the army leader who tried to oust the Queen who had earlier wanted to punish the scholar for refusing to sing her praise! The goddesses then realized that it was Narad’s mischief.

    Narad and Kansa

    Kansa, as we all know, was a cruel king. He and other rakshas used to torture people. His sister Devaki got married to Vasudeva. After the ceremony, there was a divine prophecy that stated “O Kansa, you shall meet your end at the hands of the eighth child of Devaki.” On hearing this, the angry demon king imprisoned Vasudeva but left Devaki unharmed.

    Later Narad met Kansa in secrecy and said, “O Kansa, the gods have conspired to kill you. Your father Ugrasen, Devaki and Vasudeva – all these people have joined hands with the gods.” On hearing this, Kansa was outraged. He immediately imprisoned Devaki and Ugrasen.

    The legend of Omkareshwara

    Situated on the banks of River Narmada is the Omkareshwara Jyotirlinga. The Legends have it that once Vindhya Mountain boasted of its height and might. Narad provoked Vindhya and said that it is nothing in comparison to the Meru Mountain. Hearing this, Vindhya felt jealous and prayed to Lord Shiva to establish a Shiva Linga on the banks of Narmada River.

    Puffed by Shiva’s presence there, Vindhya grew taller and taller to compete with Sumeru. This disturbed Surya’s routine circumambulation of the Universe and one half of the Universe remained dark. Devi Bhagavati asked Sage Agastya from Varanasi to visit Vindhya, who out of veneration for the Muni bent down. Agastya asked Vindhaya to be in that position till he returned return from Dakishna Bharat and chose never to come back again.

    When Narad revealed Krishna’s secret

    Kansa was attacking Krishna only on a premise. His suspicion was confirmed by Narad who spilt the beans by revealing the true identity of Balarama and Krishna as the seventh and eighth sons of Devaki. He said, “Balarama is not the son of Rohini as is made to believe. He is the seventh son of Devaki. The daughter of Devaki was actually Yashoda’s child, a form of the Lord’s Yoga-maya. The infant was interchanged with Krishna, the eighth son of Devaki, to save him from your clutches.”

    Narad and Durvasa

    Once, Narad was sitting in Lord Shiva’s court on Mount Kailasha. Sage Durvasa entered the assembly carrying a huge bundle of books. Ignoring the assembly he went and sat next to Shiva. Shiva smiled and asked about his studies. The saint proudly announced how he has read all the books. Narad stood up and called Durvasa a donkey carrying the burden of books. The sage thundered in wrath.

    Narad retorted, “There you are! You have not been able to get over your passions in spite of being a scholar. You have ignored the assembly and gone to sit by lord Shiva, What good is scholarship without patience and forgiveness?” Durvasa realized his folly, threw away the books and went into penance.

    Narad Muni’s monkey face

    Once, when Narad was meditating, other gods tried to disturb him by sending Kama (lord of lust). Kama tried a lot but did not succeed. Kama started praising Narad loudly. He said that Narad is better than Shiva who not only won his feelings of lust but also his anger. Narad opened his eyes after hearing all this praise. Narad went to Shiva and shared the story; Shiva listened patiently but advised Narad not to tell Vishnu. Narad couldn’t stop himself. He went to Lord Vishnu and repeated the whole story. To teach Narad a lesson, Vishnu set up a kingdom by his powers where a princess Vishwamohini was about to choose her groom. Inf;ated by his ego – Narad passed by and thought if Shiva and Vishnu can have wives, why can’t I. He prayed to Lord Vishnu and requested to help him in marriage.

    Vishnu made his face like a monkey. Later on when Narad was rejected he got angry and cursed Vishnu that you will have to suffer for a wife like me, and only monkeys will help you. Vishnu smiled and blessed him as that was the beginning of another epic – Ramayana.

    A legendary figure

    Narad is a truly global character who never required any passport to straddle Trilok. He was an institution in itself – a man of such diverse communication aptitude was not an ordinary sage, but a fierce intellectual with encyclopedic knowledge. It is mentioned that Narad knew all the 64 Vidyas. Narad is considered as one of the 12 chiranjivis. ‘Chiranjivi’ means one who lives forever. He is also regarded as the ‘mind’ of God – one who always knows God’s wishes.

    Narad’s Bhakti Sutra

    The Bhakti Sutras of Narad is one of the wonderful books on devotion and has no parallel. These texts outlive the philosophy and the classical authority of the concept of Bhakti. The ancient form of Sutra literature in Sanskrit is often very terse and its meaning is obscure and is liable to various interpretations. Fortunately, the Bhakti Sutras of Narad stand out their clarity, simplicity and internal coherence. The Narad Bhakti Sutra is a very ancient and authoritative scripture.

    The Narad temple

    Narad Temple is dedicated to the divine sage. These temples are located in Chigateri,which is 50 km away from Davanagere, and in Korva, which is 29 km north-east of Raichur in Karnataka. Korva is a beautiful island surrounded by the Krishna River. Korva is looked upon as a holy place and is popularly known as Naradgadde – one of the most scenic islands on the Krishna River.

     

     

     

  • Hindus urge all Utah schools to offer yoga like some Salt Lake City schools

    Hindus urge all Utah schools to offer yoga like some Salt Lake City schools

    SALT LAKE CITY (TIP): Hindus have commended Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) in Utah for offering yoga in its various schools, calling it a step in the positive direction.

    Course Catalog (2017-2018) of its East High School (EHS) offers Yoga I (9-12), whose description includes: “In this course students will unite the mind and body with the spirit, creating a more whole person” and it includes “meditation”. Its list of yoga benefits includes “self-realization” and “inner peace”. It also offers Yoga II (10-12), whose description includes enhancing “mind/body connection”.

    Yoga was also offered in EHS, West High School and Highland High School of SLCSD as a course in 2016-2017. Yoga was reportedly one of the electives in Nibley Park School (K-8) and in 2015 – 2016, several teachers used “Yoga Me Do” in Newman Elementary School. Third graders at Lincoln Elementary School have been practicing yoga, and according to a write-up on SLCSD website: “At the end of each session, when the entire room shares a long “Om,” it is amazing to feel the unity, calm, and peace pervade the space.” Grades 11-12 Course Catalog (2017-2018) of neighboring Park City High School includes Yoga, whose description includes “mind-body connectivity” and meditation exercises.

    Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement from Nevada applauded SLCSD for coming forward and providing an opportunity to students to avail the multiple benefits yoga offered.

    Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, exhorted all public, private, charter and independent schools of Utah to adopt yoga as part of their curriculum so that students did not miss a learning opportunity in this competitive world.

    Rajan Zed also urged Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert, Utah State Board of Education Chair Mark Huntsman and Utah Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Sydnee Dickson; to work towards formally introducing yoga as a part of curriculum in all the public schools of the state, thus incorporating highly beneficial yoga in the lives of Utah’s students.

    Yoga, referred as “a living fossil”, was a mental and physical discipline, for everybody to share and benefit from, whose traces went back to around 2,000 BCE to Indus Valley civilization, Ze pointed out.

    Rajan Zed further said that yoga, although introduced and nourished by Hinduism, was a world heritage and liberation powerhouse to be utilized by all. According to Patanjali who codified it in Yoga Sutra, yoga was a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical.

    According to US National Institutes of Health, yoga may help one to feel more relaxed, be more flexible, improve posture, breathe deeply, and get rid of stress. According to a “2016 Yoga in America Study”, about 37 million Americans (which included many celebrities) now practice yoga; and yoga is strongly correlated with having a positive self-image. Yoga was the repository of something basic in the human soul and psyche, Zed added. Tagline of SLCSD, said to be the oldest public school district in Utah with one of its high school founded in 1890, is “Your Best Choice”. Heather Bennett and Dr. Lexi Cunningham are its Board President and Superintendent respectively.

  • Yoga improves memory by reducing stress levels, as per University of Illinois study

    Yoga improves memory by reducing stress levels, as per University of Illinois study

    CHICAGO (TIP): “Yoga practice improves executive function by attenuating stress levels”, according to a study conducted by researchers at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in USA.

    An abstract of the study posted online from the December 2016 edition of Biological Psychology journal, stated: An 8-week Hatha yoga intervention attenuated stress response in an older adult sample.

    It concluded: Eight weeks of regular yoga practice resulted in improved working memory performance that was mediated by an attenuated response to stress.

    According to UIUC News Bureau: Researchers found that eight weeks of hatha yoga classes moderated stress levels and led to better performance on challenging cognitive tests. This study, supported by National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health, was conducted at Exercise Psychology Laboratory of UIUC directed by Professor Edward McAuley.

    Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed called the UIUC looking into the usage of multi-faceted yoga in stress levels and cognitive performance “a step in the positive direction”. Zed urged all major world universities to explore various benefits yoga offers.

    Yoga, referred as “a living fossil”, was a mental and physical discipline, for everybody to share and benefit from, whose traces went back to around 2,000 BCE to Indus Valley civilization, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, noted.

    Rajan Zed further said that yoga, although introduced and nourished by Hinduism, was a world heritage and liberation powerhouse to be utilized by all. According to Patanjali who codified it in Yoga Sutra, yoga was a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical.

    According to US National Institutes of Health, yoga may help one to feel more relaxed, be more flexible, improve posture, breathe deeply, and get rid of stress. According to a “2016 Yoga in America Study”, about 37 million Americans (which included many celebrities) now practice yoga; and yoga is strongly correlated with having a positive self image. Yoga was the repository of something basic in the human soul and psyche, Zed added.

    According to Oxford Dictionary of Hinduism, hatha-yoga (yoga of force) is a form of yogic practice designed to bring about liberation and immortality in this life, through the purification and manipulation of the practitioner’s body.

    UIUC, founded in 1867, claims to be a “world-class leader in research, teaching, and public engagement” and “pioneer innovative research that tackles global problems”. Robert Jones is the Chancellor.

  • CRY invites people to join the 2016 Walk to take a step forward and help fulfill children’s dreams

    CRY invites people to join the 2016 Walk to take a step forward and help fulfill children’s dreams

    NEW YORK (TIP):  CRY, Child Rights and You America Inc. (CRY America), a 501(c)(3) non- profit that works towards ensuring children their basic rights to live, learn, grow and play will host the 13th CRY Walk for Child Rights across 16 cities. The annual walk brings together people from varied walks of life, who feel passionately for children’s cause. The event provides them a platform to help children secure a better future and reinforces the belief that the ability to change lives lies within each one of us.

    Walkers and runners alike, across New York, San Diego, New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia, Orange County, Bay Area, Atlanta, Pheonix and Raleigh are invited to participate in 5k walks and runs along with 1k kids dash. Events across cities will include fun activities for both adults and children like yoga, Bollywood dancing, jugglers, music, food stalls and face painting. The participants will also be able to buy funky CRY merchandise like T shirts to support the cause for child rights.  The annual event is not just a space for families to have an outing but also to support and ensure opportunities are provided to all children and bring lasting change in their lives. The CRY Walk series commences on September 11 at Irvine, Orange County and concludes on November 13 at Bay Area.

    The national sponsors of the Walk 2016 are Star TV, TV Asia, Air India, Stratus, Shani International, Mera Sangeet and India Abroad. We appreciate the generous support of our event sponsors, media sponsors and donors in enabling this event.  The volunteers, fundraisers and team leaders across 16 cities who have relentlessly worked to organize this event in aid of underprivileged children, deserve a special mention.

    Speaking about the event, Shefali Sunderlal, President, CRY America said, “Only when children are given the right opportunities, do they realize their full potential, aim for their dreams and achieve them. Raising awareness and fund support by participating in CRY Walk is a step forward in ensuring that children get these opportunities and a chance at a healthy, successful life.”

    CRY America has thus far ensured that 618,915 children living across 3,084 villages and slums have access to education, healthcare and are protected from violations through support to 70 Projects in India and the USA.

    “The continued support of our donors and volunteers has helped us uphold children’s rights. It is this support and belief in our work which propels us and will allow us to ensure many more children get access to quality education, health services, essential nutrition and are protected from child labor, child marriage, abuse, and discrimination”, Sunderlal concluded.

    About CRY America:

    CRY, Child Rights and You America Inc. (CRY America) is a 501c3 non profit that is driven by its vision of a just world in which all children have equal opportunities to develop to their full potential and realize their dreams. With the support of over 25,153 donors and 2,000 volunteers, CRY America has impacted the lives of 618,915 children living across 3,084 villages and slums through support to 70 Projects in India and USA.

    For more information about CRY America or CRY Walk 2016, visit www.america.cry.org, email support@cryamerica.org or call 6179591273.

     

     

     

     

  • ATA Convention celebrations draw record breaking crowds

    ATA Convention celebrations draw record breaking crowds

    CHICAGO, IL (TIP): The ATA Convention hosted by American Telugu Association [ATA] was marked by breathtaking spectacle drawing record-breaking attendance inundating the sprawling convention center with vibrant Telugu fervor at the silver jubilee festivities held on a grand mega scale showcasing the rich Telugu cultural heritage and its burgeoning Telugu constituency in America at the 3-day ATA Convention held on July 1-3, 2016 at the Rosemont Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.

    The Rosemont city wore a colorful Telugu look as unprecedented number of attendees preliminarily estimated at 10,000 thronged the convention center to experience ostentatious showcasing of rich Telugu culture through music, dance, pageantry surpassed only by dazzling fashion shows, contemporary cinematic music and colorful epic dance presentations eclipsed by celebrities, large contingent of political leaders, Telugu icons and eminent personalities overwhelmed only by the presence of Tollywood movie stars.

    Convener Chandrasekhar Reddy Palvai praised the unwavering dedication and hard work of the entire ATA chairs & co-chairs that truly brought such phenomenal results. Convention Director K.K. Reddy characterized it as a magnificent journey of 25 years culminated in such an extraordinary convention and added this as a symbol of triumph of the towering Telugu spirit. ATA President Sudhakar Perkari lauded the remarkable ATA team work that brought about this splendid outcome. ATA Founder/President Hanumanth Reddy expressed the gleeful joy at the presence of such huge masses of Telugu people under one roof and added is a shining testament to innate culture of Telugu people; while Convention Co-Convener Krishna Mushyam saluted the rallying spirit of Telugu fellowship in such magnitude.

    Honored for their services and contribution
    Honored for their services and contribution
    The convention was set in motion with a grand gala banquet on Friday July 1st with Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu inaugurating the 3-day celebrations paying rich accolades to the Telugu culture in their remarks as ecstatic gala attendees rendered prolonged applause. Governor Bruce Rauner issued a proclamation declaring July 2nd and 3rd 2016 as American Telugu Association Day in the state of Illinois. Governor Rauner commended the Telugu community for keeping up the great cultural heritage and added if he gets an opportunity he would love to visit India. Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs in his address inspired the families to stay rooted in Telugu culture while appreciating the other languages and cultures. Venkaiah Naidu stressed on the ripe climate in India ideal for global investments. Dinkar Karumuri exhaustively introduced Governor Rauner and described him as an outstanding champion of the Indian American community and added his presence at ATA gala is a shining testimony of his steadfast goodwill to the Telugu community.

    With the invocation dance, the gala banquet in its splendor showcased the outstanding success stories of Telugu people in the United States who were applauded for their valuable contribution to the societies both in India and America. Some of the prominent attendees include Ambassador Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General of India, Democratic Nominee for U.S.Congress Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Prominent MP Kavitha Kalvakuntla, Deputy Telangana Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari, Cook County Commissioner Tim Schneider, GMR Chairman Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao ATA Benefactors Dr. Prem Reddy and Dr. Paila Malla Reddy joined by a large contingent of MPs and MLAs from A.P and Telangana state represented by all political parties including TRS, YSRCP, TDP and Congress. Other Prominent Leaders from USA include Maryland Delegate Aruna Miller, Ambassador Vinai Thummalapally, Ex-Nasscom chair BV Mohan Reddy.

    On Saturday July 2nd, the ATA Convention set the stage on fire with a huge 100-group dance troupe presenting an epic inaugural dance presentation ‘Jyothi Prajwalana’ that evoked applause and standing ovation. Key note address by Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu was stirring as he inspired Telugus in America to instill and nurture Telugu language to the succeeding generations. Venkaiah Naidu said that the most successful people in North America are Indians and added half of them are Telugu’s. Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti presented Illinois Governor’s proclamation to ATA leaders. Rasamayi Balakrshinan Troupe provided an upbeat ‘Dhoom Dham’ Telangana traditional dance and musical presentation. Youth forum was inaugurated by ATA founder Hanumanth Reddy, convener Chandrasekhar Reddy Palvai and Director K.K. Reddy. Re-enactment of ‘Bahubali’ movie with its huge cast held the audience in rapt attention. TV hosted event ‘SYEATA’ had youth performing colorful cultural and western presentations. Kuchipudi dance by Padmaja Reddy displayed wide swath of emotions. Kavitha Kalvakuntla, Telangana Member of Parliament applauded the sense of unity of Telugu people showcased at the convention. Iftekhar Shareef, Reception Chair introduced Kavitha Kalvakuntla, Telangana MP and the Telangana MPs and MLAs giving an eloquent summation of their role in continuously steering the newly-formed 29th Indian state towards the trajectory of success. Earlier, Swami Chidatmananda spoke. Kamala Chimata, Convention Coordinator who presented the overview said the convention is replete with exhaustive schedule of close-fitting events meaningfully designed for the families.

    On Sunday July 3rd, the convention drew wall-to-wall crowds to witness the spectacular fashion show, contemporary dance presentations and grand musical show presented by Mani Sharma and group that send the crowds ecstatic at every song belted out. In the afternoon, heated debates with political leaders participated by TRS, YSRCP, TDP & Congress party reached a fierce pitch battle between the party leaders held by Chalma Reddy and moderated by renowned TV host Venkata Krishna and managed by Vikram Kattamreddy. Some of the politicians participated in the Political Forum include Telangana Dy CM Kadiam Srihari, L. Ramana, Pedireddy Ramachandra Reddy, Jithender Reddy, Madhu Yashki, Keshav Rao, Roja, Ambati Rambabu, Srikanth Reddy, Malla Reddy and others.

    The evening segment began with youth-centric dance and musical presentations. ATA felicitated their past presidents, its board and trustees. Chandrasekhar Reddy lauded the undying commitment of over 60 committees; while K.K.Reddy expressed jubilation having such a fine contingent of committed teams.

    Some of the Tollywood movie actors who attended the convention included Actors Kajol Agarwal, Jagapathi Babu, Nani Babu Ghanta, Rashi Khana, Bhanu Sree, Lavanya Tripathi, Rashmi Gautam, Jyothi, Ramya Sree Neeliya,Rachna Mourya.

    Some of the prominent political elected leaders who attended included Ganta Srinivas Rao, Nayani Narasimha Reddy, Dr. Venugopala Chary, Ambati Rambabu, Roja and Jatinder Reddy.

    The Youth committee organized Lake Michigan dinner cruise for youth 16 and above and 200 Youth participated. The business forum included workshops by CEO’s and Entrepreneurs who presented workshops about doing business in India and the US. The Women’s Forum workshops were designed to empower and motivate women. Health and wellness seminars focused on preventive health screening and medical advice from leading medical experts, Matrimonial services were provided to parents of prospective brides and grooms. Seminars for Senior Citizens were organized to educate seniors about Government benefits, health Insurance options and navigation and dealing with the loss of a partner as they grow older in America. Yoga and meditation sessions were conducted throughout the day and many attendees took advantage learning and practicing these relaxation techniques. Vendor’s booths carried mouth-watering Telugu delicacies, jewelry, fashion apparels and accessories and real estate companies promoted their housing projects in India. Convention attendees were treated a great shopping experience and were able to support participating vendors. Painstaking efforts were made to serve authentic native Telugu cuisine for record number of guests.

    The leaders of the American Telugu Association and the Convention team received glowing accolades for their remarkable dedication in securing runaway success of the silver jubilee convention.

    The convention drew to a grand conclusion with high decibel musical concert rendered by well-known Tollywood music director Mani Sharma along with a team of singers and musicians belting out exciting tunes until the wee hours past midnight which served as a grand finale to a memorable Telugu convention.

    (Photographs and Press release courtesy Asian Media USA)

  • THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT YOUR LIBIDO

    THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT YOUR LIBIDO

    A woman’s libido can be as active (or not) as a man. Every woman’s sex drive goes through highs and lows, and very often you might not even know why exactly you’re not interested in getting intimate. Experts, however, say that this considered normal and that women should hit the panic button only if their libido crashes for long periods of time. Here are some reasons why your sex drive goes through ups and downs…

    Your brain is in charge during sex While you may assume that sex is a physical activity, it is your brain that is actually in charge! There are certain important areas in your brain where the initial desire emerges —the ventral striatum, amygdala, hypothalamus, cerebral cortex and pituitary. Any glitch in these areas can cause your sex drive to nosedive. Hence, it is important to identify underlying medical conditions first in order to deal with the problem.

    Drive doesn’t decrease with age

    Unlike popular opinion that sex drive decreases with age, an increasing number of studies say it is quite the opposite. While it is true that a woman’s fertility dwindles with age, her sex drive becomes better. Experts say that one of the reasons this probably happens is because it is nature’s way of encouraging you to conceive in spite of advancing age. Another reason is that older women worry a lot less about conceiving, which boosts their sex drive.

    Stress affects your sex drive

    Stress affects men and women in different ways. High levels of Stress can wreak havoc on a woman’s sex drive. And this, in turn, can have a negative impact on relationships. Learn to deal with your stress —explore ways that help you unwind and make a conscious attempt not to get worked-up unnecessarily.

    Blame it on medications

    It is often observed that certain medications can put you off sex. Premenopausal women, especially, who may be on medicines for medical conditions can be most affected. Even some birth control pills have side-effects, which include low libido. Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor to change your medication if you feel it is to blame for your lack of interest in sex. Other medications that cause disinterest in sex include certain antidepressants and blood pressure medicines.

    Consider having aphrodisiacs

    Pay extra attention to your diet Certain foods double up as aphrodisiacs and can help spice things up in the bedroom. Allow yourself generous helpings of strawberries, blueberries, watermelons, avocado, chickpeas, oysters and honey.

    A large number of women hesitate when it comes to seeking help for sexual problems especially a declining sex drive. Most assume that things will improve in time without realising that an veiled medical condition could be to blame. Don’t waver if it seriously starts affecting your relationship. Getting professional help will help you cope and improve things.

    Yoga poses boost your libido

    Forget about practicing yoga only to unwind — certain poses are said to actually boost your libido. Doing the Adho Mukha Svanasana or the downward dog pose regularly is said to boost your libido. This pose helps increase blood flow to the pelvic organs, which is why it is recommended to women. Experts, whoever, say that one needs to do this for a couple of months before actually getting any benefit.

    Last year, the female pill to improve sex drive was welcomed by women across the globe. But while the pill does its job, it is also said to come with a host of side-effects such as nausea, lethargy and giddiness.

  • Yoga for Health & Fitness

    Yoga for Health & Fitness

    Yoga and Stress Yoga minimizes the impact of stress on the individual. Yogic science believes that the regular practice of asanas and pranayama strengthens the nervous system and helps people face stressful situations positively.

    We have all experienced the way unrelieved tension results in both mental disorders and physical ill-health. This is not a modern phenomenon. In the centuries-old Yoga Sutras, the sage Patanjali attributed the causes of mental affliction to the ego, spiritual ignorance, desire, hatred of others, and attachment to life. He called these kleshas or “sorrows”.

    Origins of stress Through advances in science and technology, modern civilization has been able to conquer ignorance in many fields, but its pride in technological achievement is excessive and misplaced. It has triggered widespread feelings of competitiveness and envy. Financial tensions, emotional upheavals, environmental pollution and, above all, a sense of being overtaken by the speed of events have all increased the stress of daily life.

    All these factors strain the body, causing nervous tension, and adversely affecting the mind. This is when feelings of isolation and loneliness take over.

    To deal with this, people turn to artificial solutions to cope with the pressures of daily life. Substance abuse, eating disorders, and destructive relationships are some of the substitutes people grasp at in their desperate search for consolation. But while these measures may provide temporary distraction or oblivion, the root cause of unhappiness – stress -remains unresolved.

    Yoga is not a miracle cure that can free a person from all stress, but it can help to minimize it. The worries of modern life deplete our reserves of bioenergy, because we draw on our vital energy from the storehouse – the nerve cells. This can, ultimately, exhaust our energy reserves and lead to the collapse of mental and physical equilibrium. Yogic science believes that the nerves control the unconscious mind, and that when the nervous system is strong, a person faces stressful situations more positively. Asanas improve blood flow to all the cells of the body, revitalizing the nerve cells. This flow strengthens the nervous system and its capacity for enduring stress.

    Relieving stress  The diaphragm, according to yogic science, is the seat of the intelligence of the heart and the window to the soul. During stressful situations, however, when you inhale and exhale, the diaphragm becomes too taut to alter its shape. Yogic exercises address this problem by developing elasticity in the diaphragm, so that, when stretched, it can handle any amount of stress, whether intellectual, emotional, or physical.

    The practice of asanas and pranayama helps to integrate the body, breath, mind, and intellect. Slow, effortless exhalation during the practice of an asana brings serenity to the body cells, relaxes the facial muscles, and releases all tension from the organs of perception: the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin.

    When this happens, the brain, which is in constant communication with the organs of action, becomes shunya, or void, and all thoughts are stilled. Then, invading fears and anxieties cannot penetrate the brain. When you develop this ability, you perform your daily activities with efficiency and economy. You do not dissipate your valuable bioenergy. You enter the state of true clarity of intellect. Your mind is free of stress and is filled with calm and tranquility.

    Yoga and Fitness Most types of exercise are competitive. Yoga, although non-competitive, is nevertheless challenging. The challenge is to one’s own willpower. It is a competition between one’s self and one’s body.

    Exercise usually involves quick and forceful body movements. It has repeated actions that often lead to exertion, tension, and fatigue. Yoga asanas, on the other hand, involve movements that bring stability to the body, the senses, the mind, the intellect, the consciousness, and finally, to the conscience. The very essence of an asana is steady movement, a process that does not simply end, but finds fulfilment in tranquility.

    Most diseases are caused by the fluctuations in the brain and in the behavioral pattern of the body. In yogic practice, the brain is quietened, the senses are stilled, and perceptions are altered, all generating a calm feeling of detachment. With practice, the student of yoga learns to treat the brain as an object and the body as a subject. Energy is diffused from the brain to the other parts of the body. The brain and the body then work together and energy is evenly balanced between the two. Yoga is thus termed sarvanga sadhana or “holistic practice”. No other form of exercise so completely involves the mind and self with the body, resulting in all-round development and harmony. Other forms of exercise address only particular parts of the body. Such forms are termed angabhaga sadhana or “physical exercise”.

    Stimulative exercise  Yoga asanas are stimulative exercises, while other endurance exercises are irritative. For instance, medical experts claim that jogging stimulates the heart. In fact, though the heartbeat of the jogger increases, the heart is not stimulated in the yogic sense of being energized and invigorated. In yoga, back bends, for example, are more physically demanding than jogging, but the heart beats at a steady, rhythmic pace.

    Asanas do not lead to breathlessness. When practicing yoga, strength and power play separate roles to achieve a perfect balance in every part of the body as well as the mind. After such stimulating exercise, a sense of rejuvenation and a fresh surge of energy follow.

    Exercise can also be exhausting. Many forms of exercise require physical strength and endurance, and can lead to a feeling of fatigue after 10-15 minutes of practice. Many such exercises improve energy levels by boosting nerve function, but ultimately, this exhausts the cellular reserves and the endocrine glands. Cellular toxins increase, and though circulation is enhanced, it is at the cost of irritating the other body systems and increasing the pulse rate and blood pressure. Ultimately, the heart is taxed and overworked.

    An athlete’s strong lung capacity is achieved by hard and forceful usage, which is not conducive to preserving the health of the lungs. Furthermore, ordinary physical exercise, such as jogging, tennis, or football, lends itself to repetitive injuries of the bones, joints, and ligaments.

    Such forms of exercise work with – and for – the skeletal and muscular systems. They cannot penetrate beyond these limits. But asanas penetrate each layer of the body and, ultimately, the consciousness itself. Only in yoga can you keep both the body and the mind relaxed, even as you stretch, extend, rotate, and flex your body.

    Yoga, unlike other forms of exercise, keeps the nervous system elastic and capable of bearing stress. Although all forms of exercise bring about a feeling of well-being, they also stress the body. Yoga refreshes the body, while other systems exhaust it. Yoga involves the equal exertion of all parts of the body and does not overstrain any one part.

    In other forms of exercise, the movements are restricted to a part or parts. They are reflex actions, which do not involve the intelligence in their execution. There is little space for precision and perfection, without extra expenditure of energy.

    Yoga can be practiced at any age  With advancing age, physically vigorous exercises cannot be performed easily because of stiffening joints and muscles that have lost tone. Isometric exercises, for example, cannot be practiced with increasing age, as they lead to sprained muscles, painful joints, strained body systems, and the degeneration of organs. The great advantage of yoga is that it can be practiced by anyone, irrespective of age, sex, and physical condition.

    In fact, yoga is particularly beneficial in middle age and after. Yoga is a gift to older people when the recuperative power of the body is declining and resistance to illness is weakened. Yoga generates energy and does not dissipate it. With yoga one can look forward to a satisfying, healthier future, rather than reflecting on one’s youthful past.

    Unlike other exercises, yoga results in the concentration of immunity cells in areas affected by disease, and thus improves immunity. That is why the ancient sages called yoga a therapeutic as well as a preventive science.

  • Pavithra presents Yoga of dance at Princeton University

    Pavithra presents Yoga of dance at Princeton University

    PRINCETON, NJ (TIP): Renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Pavithra Srinivasan of Chennai mesmerized the audience at the Whig Hall of Princeton University during a lecture and dance presentation on the Yoga of Dance last week.

    Pavithra SrinivasanAcclaimed dancer and educator Pavithra Srinivasan explored the intersections and suggested India’s venerable classical dance tradition as a vehicle to connect to deeper truths and spiritual awareness. She drew on decades of rigorous dance training, deep study of sacred texts, and personal guidance from her guru–the renowned Param Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati

    She enacted stories from the Pancha Tantra, Ramayana, and Bhaja Govindam, a popular 8th century devotional composition in Sanskrit attributed to Sri Adi Sankaracharya, a great seer of Advaita philosophy of India. The program was sponsored by the Princeton University Hindu Life Program and The Yoga Council.

    Pavithra began by explaining Yoga and demonstrated the Surya Namaskar chanting “Om Mitraya Namaha”, “Om Ravaye Namaha”. She told the audience Surya Namaskar not only includes asanas and pranayama, but also includes mantra and meditation techniques, expressing gratitude to the Sun as a life and light giving source to all forms in the planet. For dancers, it is also an exercise for stretching, strengthening of muscles, massaging of joints and internal organs of the body, she said.

    Both yoga and the classical dances of India are a gift to the world. Both disciplines, yoga with its admirable precision and alignment and dance with its graceful hand gestures coordinated movements and meaningful facial expressions, have been blended for centuries

    She explained to students that Vedic culture, that includes customs, food, dress, language, literature, scriptures, music, dance … anything that gives examples of great heroes who lived a life of profound truths and courageous deeds that help the human mind and life to grow, mature and evolve. This helps in discovering the true purpose of life, to unite and to help others unite themselves with their highest nature, so all can live in a life of harmony and freedom from misery. In this exploration, both yoga and dance point the way.

    Pavithra, adorned with jewels and clad in a radiant green saree, looked beautiful and her dance with excellent storytelling captivated the audience. Pavithra concluded with a scene from the immortal hymn Bhaja Govindam written by Saint Sankara in which he urges man to turn towards the Self and sing His glory instead of being distracted, deluded and destroyed by mundane matters.

    Yoga of dance is thus the union of the physical, psychological and spiritual plane to transcend the ordinary and to be established in one’s own true nature in one’s own self, which is the ultimate freedom from all unhappiness, she narrated.

  • Leading Cultural Center of New York commemorates Saints and Sages

    Leading Cultural Center of New York commemorates Saints and Sages

    FLUSHING, NY (TIP): Sriniketan Foundation celebrated Shri Parashuram, Adi Shankaracharya, Shri Ramanujacharya and Shri Narsimha jayanti and Buddha Purnima on Sunday- May 22nd, 2016.

    Purnima Desai, Founder and President of Sriniketan speaks about the aims and objects of Sriniketan Foundation 2Sriniketan foundation is giving platform to perform and promoting young and adult renowned artists from India , local eminent artists and students of Shikshayatan Cultural Center to grow and glow by exhibiting their inborn talents and their hard work i.e. Sadhana. This organization is always in a festive mood to bring awareness in the community especially the youngsters to learn so many names of the festivals, names of saints and patriotic leaders who have contributed so much that today we are free to celebrate the freedom. We should not forget their sacrifices, penance and great deeds to free India.

    Opening ceremony was done by Kavita Mahabir with Lord Ganesha prayer followed by Maa Saraswati’s bhajan “Hey Sharde Maa”. She displayed her talent and faced the audience and renowned artists with confidence. Kavita Mahabir also sang raag Bhimpalasi Chhota Khayal and ended with “Nagendra Haaraayaa Trilochanaaya”, Shiv Panchaakshar stotra written by Shri Shankaracharya. Shikshayatan students played and sang themselves that is the beauty and they were accompanied by a student tabla player.

    Patrons and artists with Purnima Desai
    Patrons and artists with Purnima Desai

    A renowned vocalist from Kolkata Vidushi Sangeeta Bandhopadhyaya accompanied by Anirban Chakravorty on harmonium and Shivalik Ghoshal on tabla gave a splendid performance and thrilled the audience. Sangeeta ji is a “top” grade musician Patiala and Indore gharana, leading artist as well as she is All India Radio and ICCR artist from India. Sangeeta ji’s voice quality is truly unique and she has mastered her voice with intense Sadhana and received extensive training from Sangeetacharya Chinmoy Lahiri,Ustad Munawar Ali Khan and Pandit Kamal Bandyopadhyay.

    Suresh Ketwaroe a guitarist and vocalist sang two beautiful light songs on his guitar and he too mesmerized the audience.

    Renowned H.H. Guru Dileep Ji Maharaj of World Yoga Community blew sankha for a long time and blessed Sriniketan foundation. He reminded me of a very well-known yogi,Late Swami Buaji who always attended Shikshayatan Cultural Center and did the sankha ceremony few times in the opening ceremony of the events and truly blessed all of us. Eminent tabla player and painter blessed us with his technical knowhow of tabla and its importance, history and variations in playing tabla. He also exhibited various monsoons by special affects playing tabla. We all cherished his performance.

    Jayesh Vyas, a popular dholak player was so good that the audience could not stop dancing and participated with grace and wonderful smiles.

    We encouraged singers from the audience to participate also. Ashok Singh, Jessi Dhillon, Jagruti Desai surprised us with their singing talents. The purpose of Sriniketan Foundation to bring joy and peace was well experienced. Body, mind and soul all were in tune with cosmos through this event. Mahaprasad was served in the end.

    (Report by Purnima Desai, Founder/ President of Sriniketan Foundation)

     

  • Indian American NJ based author releases book in Chennai

    Indian American NJ based author releases book in Chennai

    CHENNAI (TIP): Uma Swaminathan, a New Jersey-based community activist and a fighter against injustice in NJ school system last week released her book “Healing with Herbs – Ancient Ayurvedic Wisdom for Health and Longevity” at a gala book signing event in Odyssey Book Store in Chennai.

    Last year, Ms. Swaminathan authored a unique 250- page book “Herbal Transformations- Ancient wisdom revealed for health and longevity”. The American edition of this book is being marketed by Amazon.com.

    Jaico Publications in India has now brought out the Indian edition of the book entitled “Healing with Herbs- Ancient Ayurvedic Wisdom for Health and Longevity”.

    The book is considered a treasure in view of the world-wide interest in its contents which include subjects like yoga, organic food, health concerns, cultural moorings and the universal yearning for youthfulness and longevity, according to the author.

    It is written in a simple, personalized, chatty, and highly readable style which would appeal to all age groups, from the very young right up to the aged and it contains many lively colorful photographs taken by the author herself.

    Ms. Uma Swaminathan
    Ms. Uma Swaminathan

    It speaks of yoga practices that can increase memory power, of tropical fruits that can even cure cancer, of increased sensitivity and intuition through proper diet and cleansing, how to lose weight and bring out one’s natural aura, the sacred geometry of the traditional Kolam art and even cooking recipe.

    Ms. Swaminathan was referred to as Rosa Parks of Indian Community by Indian media in the US for putting a brave fight against her suspension on fabricated grounds under racial bias. After three years, she was reinstated by the Courts and the Board squandered taxpayers’ hard earned money to justify their illegal actions to destroy a competent school teacher because of her ethnic Indian background.

    Mr. T.S.Krishnamurthy, former Chief Election Commissioner of India; V. Selvaraj, former Chairman of Madras Port Trust; Prabhala Subash, a famous DJ and CEO of Masala FM radio, Mr. Chari, a retired IAS officer and others felicitated her.

    Ms. Swaminathan is a US Citizen of Indian-origin and she owns an ancestral apartment in Chennai, where she stays while in India. She has specialized in cultural anthropology while studying at the Rutgers’ University in NJ. Her initial schooling was in Chennai and in Patna, Bihar. In her youth in India, she learned to fly monoplanes and got her private pilot’s license.

    She studied classical Indian dance and is a prolific painter. Shea had also spent a few years in Tokyo, Japan, where she was honored by Princess Hitachi, Prime Minister, Kaifu’s wife, for bridging understanding and cultural awareness between India and Japan. She was made the Chief Marshal of the International Parade in Tokyo. She has been in leadership roles in the US and is past President of the Association of Indians in America. She is also a practicing Reiki Master.

  • NGT CLEARS ART OF LIVING FOR CULTURE FESTIVAL, ORDERS IT TO PAY RS 5 CRORE FINE

    NGT CLEARS ART OF LIVING FOR CULTURE FESTIVAL, ORDERS IT TO PAY RS 5 CRORE FINE

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has allowed Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s controversial three-day World Culture Festival to be held on the Yamuna floodplains starting on 11 March, Friday. However, the Art of Living (AOL) Foundation will have to develop the entire area as a biodiversity zone and pay Rs 5 crore green penalty for the event, the court directed on Wednesday. The fine amount will be reviewed further and the final amount will be fixed.

    The NGT bench, headed by Justice Swatantra Kumar, also fined the Delhi Development Authority Rs 5 lakh for granting permission without conducting inspections. The court directed the Delhi Pollution Control Board Rs 1 lakh as penalty.

    Workers make arrangements for the three-day World Peace Festival being organised by spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in New Delhi (Photo: PTI)
    Workers make arrangements for the three-day World Peace Festival being organised by spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in New Delhi (Photo: PTI)

    The tribunal also asked AOL to give an undertaking by Thursday that enzymes will not be released into Yamuna river and that no further degradation of environment will happen. Besides slapping the fines, the tribunal directed AOL to develop the entire area in question into a biodiversity park.

    The NGT was moved over the alleged violation of environmental laws and polluting the Yamuna river over the event to be held from 11 – 13 March and expecting at least three lakh people from 155 countries.

    NGT CLEARS ART OF LIVING1The World Culture Festival entered into a controversy when environmental activists told the NGT that the event will destroy the fragile ecology of the Yamuna floodplains. The NGT pulled up the AOL Foundation and various government agencies including the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for not conducting proper inspections and granting permission for the event despite a standing order by the NGT that states that no activity will be conducted on the Yamuna floodplains.

    The tribunal’s order came on the pleas by NGOs and environmentalists who had sought cancellation of the festival on the ground that it would seriously endanger the fragile ecosystem on the riverbed.

    Environmental activist Anand Arya, who filed the petition to stop the event, rued that over 1000-acres of the sensitive area between Delhi and Noida, predominantly marshland, stand shorn of even a “single blade” of grass.

    During the hearing, the Water Resources ministry told the tribunal that it has not granted permission for the festival while another ministry said no clearance was required for temporary structures. Responding to questions from the green panel, the Water Resources ministry distanced itself from the controversy, saying, “We have not granted any permission regarding the event and no application is pending with us on the same.”

    The Ministry of Environment and Forests, whereas, told the the bench that no environment clearance was required for setting up temporary structures on Yamuna flood plains. The ministry’s submission came after the bench pulled it up for not filing affidavit on environmental clearances.

    It was informed by Delhi government that after inspecting the site, the police asked AOL to show structural safety clearance of pontoon bridge and vehicle parking clearance.

    Army personnel construct temporary bridges over Yamuna river for the three-day World Peace Festival organised by spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in New Delhi (Photo: PTI)
    Army personnel construct temporary bridges over Yamuna river for the three-day World Peace Festival organised by spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in New Delhi (Photo: PTI)

    Delhi government also told the bench that Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has asked the foundation to build a separate stage for the Prime Minister due to issues over structural safety, a claim denied by AOL which said it was being built for better view of the event.

    AOL, however, informed the bench that all necessary steps for safety of people have been taken as any untoward incident at venue will be detrimental to the country’s image.

    Giving the details of the expenditure incurred on the event, the AOL foundation informed the green panel that a total of Rs 25.63 crore has been spent on the preparations.

    The tribunal had questioned on Tuesday, the building up of pontoon bridge by the Army on river Yamuna for the festival and asked DDA as to who gave permission for setting it up.

    DDA had informed the NGT that it granted permission for 24.44 hectare for holding of the event.

    AOL had said it had satisfied the DDA for permission by fulfillng the condition that no permanent structures will be constructed on flood plains.

    The AOL Foundation told the NGT that they are expecting three lakh attendees for the event even though they had claimed on their website that they are expecting 35 lakh attendees. After the second day of hearing on Wednesday, the NGT finally gave the nod for the event.

    The allegations had earlier created a huge controversy, which resulted in President Pranab Mukherjee backing out of his commitment to attend the opening ceremony. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to attend the event.

    The issue even reached the Rajya Sabha when it was reported that the Army was building pontoon bridges for the event. Opposition members shouted slogans and demanded a reply from Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

    “There is this person (Ravi Shankar) who is saying he is doing a cultural festival, and you put the army there to construct bridges. The government should shut this down immediately. In 1,000 acres, they are doing this. It will destroy Yamuna,” said Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader Sharad Yadav.

    Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) leader Sitharam Yechury alleged that it was “highly irregular” that the services of the Indian Army are used for such an event.

    “Can the Indian Army be roped in to build pontoon bridges? It is highly irregular that the army is summoned to create facility for a private function,” Yechury said.

    When the allegations were first made, the AOL Foundation on 28 February released a statement saying that it has followed all guidelines and directions of authorities and the National Green Tribunal.

    “We have followed and further undertake to follow all the guidelines, recommendations, directions of the honourable court and the authorities extending us the permission to hold the World Culture Festival,” said the spokesperson. The Art of Living claimed that in strict adherence to the NGT direction, it has not done any construction or concretisation at the World Culture Festival site. “Further we have used only eco-friendly material like wood, mud, cloth, and scaffolding towards building a temporary stage for the purpose of holding a three-day festival,” it said.

    “We have not blocked any river channel of river Yamuna by throwing any debris into it,” it said.

    The NGT, which was also hearing a plea against AOL’s plan to release ‘enzymes’ into 17 drains joining Yamuna for cleaning the river, had constituted an expert committee headed by Water Resources Secretary to inspect the festival site.

    The AOL, which is organising the function, will have yoga and meditation sessions, peace prayers by Sanskrit scholars and traditional cultural performances from India and abroad.

  • RISHIKESH: BEYOND YOGA AND RAFTING

    RISHIKESH: BEYOND YOGA AND RAFTING

    Rishikesh, situated in the foothills of Himalayas on the banks of River Ganga in Northern India, is undoubtedly one of the best places to find quick relaxation from the mundane life. Located about 43 km away from Dehradun, Rishikesh is a hub of Yoga, meditation and spirituality. The place is frequented by many international travellers and pilgrims. Rishikesh has also become a popular destination for white water rafting, attracting tourists from both India and abroad. It is also a center for hiking, backpacking, camping, rock climbing, rappelling, kayaking and bungee jumping. No doubt, it has become one stop destination for everyone seeking peace, fun and enjoyment. Besides these, there are 5 things about Rishikesh that you never knew.

    NEERGARH FALLS

    Rishikhesh is the home to many lesser-known waterfalls and the beauty of these hidden treasures is that one has to take a trek of few Kilometres to reach the falls. If you wish to spend some quality time with your family and friends amidst nature-rich environs, you can definitely plan a waterfall trekking in Rishikesh. The trekking to Neergadh Waterfall starts 3 km away from Laxman Jhula on the Badrinath Highway. It is one of the most frequented waterfalls as it is easiest to access. Visit Neergarh Waterfall just after monsoon season and you will witness water cascading thousands of feet from the mountain top. There are small pools along the hike where a hiker can sit and enjoy the serenity of falls, while soaking the tired feet. You can also consider taking a dip into the pool of fresh water. Trekking through Neergarh waterfall and passing by shallow pool will give you a feel and touch of what the state of Uttarakhand is all about. The best thing about this adventure activity is that it does not require any special skill to trek, owning to easy path and can be undertaken by people from all age group. Vendors are also available here to sell the beverages, which will cost slightly higher but a cup of tea in hand will be a good idea to enjoy the surreal beauty of the place.

    RISHIKESH-1NEELKANTH TEMPLE

    Neelkanth temple is one of the most sacred places of worship for Hindus. It is situated on a hill above Swargashram and located at a distance of 32 km from Rishikhesh. Neelkanth temple is considered to be an apt example of complete natural hill heaven that lies adjacent to mountain ranges of Nar-Narayan. Owing to its raw beauty & religious significance, both the devotees and nature lovers visit the place round the year. The way to the temple is quite exhilarating. There are steep & narrow roads taking above the hill, which will add the extra spice of adventure amidst the beauty. There is river flowing on one side and mountain terrain is on the other side. Road is very curvy and narrow with steep slopes.

    TREKKING 

    Trekking is all about reconnecting yourself with nature and exploring the wonders of the Himalayas. For adventure enthusiasts, it is a much sought after option to escape the daily mundane life to find themselves in the lap of nature. Walking through verdant landscape, lush greenery and waterfall, and breathing in fresh air really prove to be a refreshing experience. Located in the lap of the Shivalik Himalayas, the picturesque town of Rishikhesh offers a host of scenic locales for trekkers. It gives the trekker a chance to witness the outstanding scenery of flowery green meadows, dense forests, fascinating local communities and astounding landscape of the eastern part of the Garhwal Himalayan ranges. There are all sorts of treks available near Rishikhesh, which can be categorised into easy, moderate and hard treks. Small treks can be done in the adjoining villages and waterfalls while longer treks can be taken in near-by mountains. Few famous treks which can be taken near Rishikhesh are Neer Garh waterfall trek, Kunjapuri trek, Neelkanth Temple Trek, and Jhilmil Gufa Trek. Longer treks which serve route from Rishikhesh are Gomukh (Gaumukh) Trek, Valley of flower Trek, Tungnath-Chandrasheela Trek, Deoria Taal Trek, Hemkund sahib trek, Kuari Pass Trek and Roop Kund Trek.

    DEVPRAYAG

    In Sanskrit, prayag means ‘confluence’ and Devprayag stands for ‘holy confluence’. Devprayag is the confluence of two holy rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi to form Ganga. According to religious scriptures, Devprayag is one of the five important holy confluences. Rivers like Bhagirathi, Alaknanda & the mythological river Saraswati (flowing underground) meet to from the River Ganga. River Bhagirathi originates from Gangotri and Alaknanda originates from Badrinath, both of which are considered sacred destinations for Hindus across the world. Devprayag is the last prayag of River Alaknanda. Religiously, the site is very sacred and holds immense significance among the Hindu followers. It is believed that Lord Rama and the King Dushratha did penance here. There is an ancient temple of Raghunathji built above the confluence with massive rocks. It is believed that the temple was built more than ten thousand years ago. There is a small water spring called Baitalshila, which is believed to have powers to cure leprosy. Devprayag is also hugely blessed with divine natural beauty and showers tourists with its serenity. The place is accessible throughout the year and can be visited anytime. Try avoiding Devprayag during monsoons, when the water level rises and there are chances of roads getting blocked due to landslides. Devprayag is a small town situated in Tehri Garhwal district in the state of Uttarakhand, located on the Rishikhesh-Badrinath highway.

    RAJAJI NATIONAL PARK

    Rajaji National Park is known for its pristine scenic beauty and rich bio-diversity. A paradise for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, Rajaji National Park or Chilla Park is just 25 km away from Rishikhesh. A normal safari by jeep usually takes 3 to 4 hours to complete the 36 km stretch of safari range and costs around Rs. 1200-1500 per person. It is carried out twice in a day; at 7 am in the morning and around 2 pm in the afternoon. Rajaji National Park is home to Asian elephants, deers, birds, tigers (only few), and antelopes such as the Nilgai, langoors etc. This park is the first staging ground for the migratory birds when they cross Himalayas to enter India. The Himalayan pied kingfisher, fire tailed sunbird & great pied hornbill can be spotted here. The safari in the park is organised throughout the year, adding its touch of special essence every season. Don’t miss out on an early morning drive along the river stream which connects to Power House in Chilla. In addition there are many hotels and tourist complexes available around Rajaji National Park at Haridwar and Rishikhesh, which makes it even more convenient to visit the park.

  • India, Taiwan and China Triangle Opportunity for Strategic Balancing

    India, Taiwan and China Triangle Opportunity for Strategic Balancing

    History, despite Francis Fukuyama’s prediction of it having ended, was made on Saturday, January 16th 2016 inthe “Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu”, aka Chinese Taipei, aka Republic of China or the de facto Republic of Taiwan. Tsai Ing-Wen of the Democratic Progressive Party was elected President with 56% of the vote defeating Kuomintang’s Eric Chu. Besides, electing its first ever female president from the Democratic Progressive Party, the citizens of this island nation thoroughly defeated the President Ma Ying-Jeau’s Kuomintang Party for excessively placatory and deferential postures towards Beijing. The people of the Republic of Taiwan democratically slapped the Communist China on the face despite its repeated catastrophic warnings. History was also made because per analysts, “A new Taiwanese identity won” in the elections. A new generation with pro-independence mind gave a resounding defeat to the status quoist KMT. The 59 years old Tsai, a former law Professor is an alumnus of the University of Cambridge. She made the history as being elected the first female leader of an Asian nation without having any prior family connections or following the path of dynastic succession.

    It was the 6th direct election for the President of Taiwan since 1988 when Taiwan became a de facto and de jure democracy. The Democratic Progressive Party, also secured a majority in the legislature, marking the first time that the DPP can govern alone with over a 50%majority. Results on the Central Election Commission’s website showed Ms. Tsai receiving 6.9 million votes, around 56% of the total, with her main rival, KMT candidate Eric Chu, getting 3.8 million, or 31%. A third-party candidate took the remainder. It is the first time the ruling KMT and its allies have lost control of the legislature since Chiang Kai-shek moved his Nationalist government across the Taiwan Strait after its defeat on the mainland by Communist forces in 1949.

    Government of India should send a large official delegation for inauguration of the President-elect Tsai on May 20th 2016. India needs to exploit this democratic opportunity of government transition in Taiwan to engage it strategically besides deepening the economic and mercantile ties. Over the years, this analyst has made case for deeper economic, mercantile and strategic engagement with Taiwan in an effort to balance Communist China (1, 2). India’s civil society and the hyperactive NGOs need to make their presence felt in the Republic of Taiwan. There are several levels at which Indian civil society should engage the Taiwanese people. Since our ruling party the BJP has party to party relations with the Communist Party of China and has sent several party delegations to China, it should seriously consider sending an official party delegation for the inaugural of President Tsai.

    From a more pragmatic perspective, the BJP delegation should consist of former heavy weight cabinet ministers like Yashwant Sinha, Dr. Subramanian Swami and Dr. Arun Shourie. Building party to party relations with the Democratic Progressive Party will serve India’s long-term strategic interests.

    The easy way forward would be for the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to send large delegations to drum up more business, investments and joint ventures with their Taiwanese counter-parts. Indian business houses must invest in the tourism and hospitality sector in Taiwan especially in the strategically important island of Penghu in the Taiwan Straits. Newer business entities like Patanjali Yoga Trust should consider exporting their organic consumer items in Taiwan.

    Besides the business leaders, Indian Think-tanks, civil society, cultural and religious organizations should step up to the plate to foster people to people relations. Dharmic organizations should foster the Buddhist-Hindu brotherhood using Dharma-Dhamma paradigm. Since the time of Asoka, the great, India has exercised cultural and Dharmic diplomacy. Perhaps, His Holiness Dalai Lama should grace the occasion of inaugural function of the President-elect Tsai with his divine presence and blessings. In the same analogy, one of the Shankaracharyas should be persuaded to travel to Taiwan for blessing the new woman president of that nation! Organizations like Dharmacharya Sabha, Art of Living and Bharat Swabhiman have a role to play in promoting Yoga, meditation and other instruments of India’s soft power in Taiwan. Even ex-servicemen organizations should be encouraged to send delegations to Taiwan for the presidential inaugural.

    India needs to focus on developing religious tourist facilities in the islands of Matsu and Penghu especially shrines to the Mazu (Matsu) Guardian Goddess of the sea whom Taiwanese revere. Because Taiwan is an island and relies on the sea for sustenance, the “sea goddess” Mazu (Matsu) is very important for the seafaring Taiwanese people. Taiwanese and Chinese Goddess Guanyin (Kuanyin) began her divine existence and origin in India as the male bodhisattva Avalokiteshwara, but is usually described in Chinese communities as the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Worshipped by people of Chinese origin – including many who don’t explicitly identify themselves as Buddhist – since the 12th century, her full name is translated as, ‘she who hears all of mankind’s cries’. Reciprocally, India should hard-sell the Buddhist circuit for the Taiwanese tourists to India. Owing to historical Indian cultural influences in the East Asia, we need to remember and reinforce our soft power diplomacy while engaging Taiwan.

    We both nations are the legitimate trading partners in the World Trade Organization (WTO). Chinese Taipei has been a member of the WTO since 1 January 2002. Taiwan is also a member of the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) where India’s application is pending for membership for the last twenty years (3). Taiwan is an aspiring candidate country for membership of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). Officially, since we have trade and commerce going on with the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei), the official Indian delegation should be headed by the Commerce Minister or by the Finance Minister. Communist China has intense trade and investment relations with Taiwan, so it can’t possibly object if India adopts the same course (2). India must deepen economic engagement with Taiwan on a war footing. Taiwanese investments should be sought aggressively and tapped voraciously for the #Make-In-India Campaign. Cash-rich Taiwan is sitting on foreign exchange reserves of $425 billion as of December 31st 2015. Instead of letting this money be invested across the straits in the Communist China, India should raise the economic costs for China by providing an attractive alternative destination for the Taiwanese surplus capital for investment in India’s infrastructure.

    The only country that currently exports arms to the Republic of Taiwan is the US. Taiwan is desperately trying to modernize its armed forces in view of continued military threat from the Communist China. India is trying to enter the lucrative arms export market. India has 3-4 defense items/armament systems ready in its inventory that can be exported to Taiwan in the near future. These armaments include the Tejas fighter aircrafts, Dhruva attacks helicopters, Arjun battle tanks and Brahmos hypersonic missiles. Taiwan would be delighted to buy Indian hardware for its defense. India should also take future orders from Taiwan for supply of frigates and submarines. Since Communist China is exporting and supplying arms to Pakistan and building its capacity continuously, we should do the same with Taiwan.

    India’s strategic establishment must adopt diplomatic and strategic pragmatism and must learn to strike when the iron is hot! Our soft power and hard power must be complimentary to each other for sake of furthering our strategic interests.

    The author (Dr. Adityanjee) is President, The Council For Strategic Affairs, New Delhi. He can be reached at adityancsa@gmail.com ; twitter@DrThinkTank