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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline OCTOBER 03, 2025 | The Indian Eye 24

GOPIO hosts Webinar on “Indian Medicinal

Wisdom: Strategies for Modern Maladies”

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
he Global Organization of People of Indian
Origin (GOPIO) held its webinar series on
TSeptember 13th, 2025, with a compelling
session titled “Indian Medicinal Wisdom: Strate-
gies for Modern Maladies.” The event brought to-
gether subject matter experts on ancient medicine
and modern medicine, practitioners of combined
healthcare approaches, community leaders, and
global participants to share insights and best prac-
tices.
Moderated by Public Health Leader and Com-
munity Advocate Aparna Hande from Southern
California, who also serves as GOPIO Medical
Council Co-chair, told the audience in the outset
that the Webinar session was to encourage active
global Indian Diaspora participation with discus-
sions emphasizing the effectiveness of combining
modern medicine with evidence-based traditional Recipient Dr. Sudhir Parikh, an Allergist & Immu- lation expert Dr. Renu Joshi (Pennsylvania, USA),
practices for both prevention and treatment. nologist who is also a philanthropist, entrepreneur, spoke on the topic, “Not So Sweet! – Unmasking
The program started with welcome remarks by and Chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Diabetes in Indian Communities.” She further high-
GOPIO Associate Secretary Sunil Vuppala, who Gold. Dr. Parikh is also President-Elect of Glob- lighted the alarming rise of diabetes and explored
also serves as the Chair of the Webinar Series. Vup- al Asso. of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO), lessons in prevention from Ancient India.
pala said that the last few webinars have galvanized which represent 1.4 million Indian physicians world- Dr. Renu Joshi said, “Diabetes, though an an-
the Diaspora community to a common platform wide. Dr. Parikh in his remarks concluded, “Ayurve- cient disease, can be prevented through a healthy
to discuss topics of common interest. He then in- dic and modern medicine can both be effective for lifestyle, meditation, and regular screening. Tradi-
troduced the GOPIO Chairman and President for certain diseases, provided the ancient remedies tional medicines may help with prevention, while
their remarks. meet standard dosage and quality requirements,” modern medicine plays a key role when the condi-
GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, who Dr. Indranill Basu-Ray (Tennessee, USA), tion is not controlled.
could not be present in person, provided a video Cardiologist, Prof. of Public Health, Director of Dr. Dinesh Upadhyay (India), Naturopathist
message sharing brief history of GOPIO Interna- Research and Chair, GOPIO Medical Council has and Yoga & Ayurvedic expert and former National
tional, which was founded in 1989 in New York, been a Yoga advocate. Author of “Yoga for Cardio- Co-Convener, BJP Medical Cell, joined from In-
now spanning 35 countries with life members and vascular Disease and Rehabilitation,” he demon- dia. He serves as the Sampark Pramukh for Delhi
100 chapters worldwide. Dr. Abraham explained strates how yoga and holistic traditions can trans- Pradesh with Chikitsak Sangh and Arogya Bharati.
that the primary purpose of GOPIO when it was es- form modern healthcare and medicine. Dr. Upadhyay said, “Ancient Indian medicine can
tablished as a nonprofit was to integrate the Indian Dr. Basu-Ray said, “Yoga is not a religion; it is a be integrated into mainstream healthcare to promote
diaspora into the mainstream political communi- lifestyle practice. Adopting healthy lifestyle changes preventive care, wellness, and effective treatment.”
ty—a goal he noted has been successfully achieved. is the best medicine for a healthy life, supported by Ms. Chhavi Chawla (California, USA), Health
He further emphasized that OPIO has evolved to both research and modern medicine.” Advisor, Environmental Advocate and Millet Am-
address current and relevant issues facing the glob- Dr. Nirmal Joshi (Pennsylvania, USA), who is bassador was the final speaker. Chawla is also author
al Indian diaspora, benefiting both the Indian and a physician, filmmaker and CEO of Joshi Health of “Live Healthy, Lifelong” and founder of a phil-
global communities. Dr. Abraham also highlight- Foundation spoke on the topic. “The Epidemic of anthropic trust, she inspires communities through
ed GOPIO’s proactive role during the COVID-19 Heart Attacks in Young Indians – The Crisis and the holistic living and her platform @Saveragirl. With
pandemic, organizing numerous health-related pro- Solutions,” he uncovered the reasons behind this a special focus on millets as “diet as medicine,” she
grams for the benefit of the Indian Diaspora. growing crisis in our communities. Dr. Joshi said promotes sustainable, cost-effective practices that
GOPIO President Prakash Shah in his remarks that there is an alarming epidemic of early and se- support both wellness and planetary health.
highlighted the series of webinar initiatives aimed vere heart attacks in Indians and we need to act now. Chawla said, “When food is right, medicine is
at educating the Indian Diaspora on relevant issues. Pulmonologist Dr. Tina Shah, a puclic health not needed; when food is wrong, no medicine works.
He explained that this is the third webinar in the advocate, currently a Democratic candidate for a Small millets are exceptional in offering therapeutic
series, held every other month on the second Sat- Congressional seat in New Jersey (NJ-07) shared properties for disease prevention & reversal… To
urday since July. The first webinar focused on im- her insights under the theme “Ancient Wisdom in decode the truth & learn how Small Millets help both
migration, the second on the AI era, both of which Healthcare and Medicine,” bridging modern sci- us & the planet, follow @Saveragirl on YouTube.”
he described as successful and impactful. This third ence with timeless health traditions. GOPIO General Secretary Siddharth Jain gave
session explores “Ancient Medicinal Wisdom for Dr. Tina Shah said, “Clean air is essential for the vote of thanks. Ms. Vatsala Upadhyay, Founder
Modern Maladies.” He also announced the upcom- the health of every organ in our body, and we must & CEO of AI Junction, provided technical support.
ing event on October 11 of this year, which will focus take a public health approach in our society to pro- The event concluded with calls for collaboration,
on investment growth and the role of the Diaspora mote policies that reduce air pollution.” education, and ongoing dialogue among Diaspora
The Chief Guest for the session was Padma Shri Endocrinologist. Diabetes Expert and popu- communities.

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