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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JULY 05, 2024 | The Indian Eye 20

GOPIO Manhattan and Happy Life Celebrate International

Day of Yoga 2024 Hosted by Filmmaker Tirlok Malik

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY

lobal Organization for People of In-
dian Origin - Manhattan Chapter
Gand Emmy-nominated filmmaker
and Happy Life Yoga speaker Tirlok Malik,
along with The Indian Panorama and Indian
American Forum, organized an interactive
and informative session on June 22 featuring
eminent experts and speakers to celebrate
International Day of Yoga 2024.
The ever-ebullient Malik emphasized
loving yourself and “if you love yourself, it is
your responsibility to take care of your happi-
ness and health”.
He conducted practical exercises as well
as chair yoga, peppered with calls for laughter
among a large number of participants logged
in for the session from the New York area,
other parts of the USA, India, and around the
world.
Consul General of India in New York,
Amb. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, in his address
as Chief Guest, underlined that yoga is a ho-
listic body-mind-spirit system. He congratu-
lated GOPIO and Tirlok Malik for holding
the event open to all.
In his 4th year leading this event, session
host Malik asked the speakers to address the
question: There are challenges and hardships
in life, but how do you let them go and laugh
at life? Give me your personal mantra, he
asked them.
Indu Jaiswal, Chairperson of the Indian
American Forum and a medical professional,
shared her mantra: “Always have a positive
outlook and believe in yourself.”Prof. Indrajit
Singh Saluja, Editor-Publisher of The Indian
Panorama, said that happiness is within you.
He added that the five don’ts – ahimsa, Satya,
etc.—of Patanjali yoga is a formula for not
causing unhappiness to others.
Tara Shajan, a medical professional, sug- Host Tirlok Malik, a Happy Life Yoga SpeakerIndia’s Consul General in New York Shri Binay Srikanta PradhanOrganizers
gested we should revisit our happy memories, and speakers at the Yoga Day Session
particularly from childhood, and try to lower
our happiness threshold. Neeta Bhasin, the Renee Online show conducted national organization or a nearby dance with its mission to serve the
founder of Times Square Diwali, shared that a short meditation. Others who chapter. GOPOIO-Manhattan larger society and those in need,
she has learned to prioritize her own happi- spoke included GOPIO Inter- President Shivender has taken several initiatives since
ness. national President Lal Motwani, Sofat, said the message shared its founding in 2020.
Neha Lohia, a filmmaker and spiritual AIA National President Gobind at the session should be shared A Community Feeding is or-
enthusiast, said that we should take whatever Munjal, ‘Vegan Ambassador’ Anil with others. GOPIO-Manhattan ganized by the Chapter providing
happens to us as ‘prasad’ from God. Parveen Narang and Deborah Fishman. Board member Sid Jain provided a vegetarian lunch for the home-
Chopra, founder of wellness and spirituality GOPIO International Chair- the technical service at the session less and needy at Tomkins Square
webmag ALotusInTheMud.com, mentioned man Dr. Thomas Abraham, who Chapter Secretary Bhavya Gupta Park in Manhattan on the last
the sutra, “Heyam dukham anagatam” (Avert also serves as an advisor to GO- gave the vote of thanks. Monday of every month.
the danger that has not yet come). Do regular PIO-Manhattan, in his welcome Tirlok Malik has conducted The chapter appeals to the
exercise, yoga and meditation, he said, to avoid address spoke about the objectives over 100 Happy Life Yoga work- community to support the initia-
poor physical and mental health later in life. of GOPIO and urged who are not shops over four years. tive by being a volunteer and/or a
Dr. Renee Mehra, Host of Zoom in with members yet to join GOPIO Inter- GOPIO-Manhattan, in accor- sponsor.

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