NEW YORK (TIP): GOPIO Manhattan and Emmy-nominated filmmaker and  Happy Life Yoga speaker Tirlok Malik, along with The Indian Panorama and Indian American Forum, hosted 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 happiness 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 New York, 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 holistic body-mind-spirit system. He congratulated 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, suggested we should revisit our happy
memories, particularly from childhood, and try to lower our happiness threshold.
Neeta Bhasin, the founder of Times Square Diwali, shared that she has learned to
prioritize her own happiness. Neha Lohia, a filmmaker and spiritual enthusiast, said that we should take
whatever happens to us as ‘prasad’ from God.

Parveen Chopra, founder of wellness and spirituality webmag
ALotusInTheMud.com, mentioned the sutra, “Heyam dukham anagatam” (Avert
the danger that has not yet come). Do regular exercise, yoga and meditation, he
said, to avoid poor physical and mental health later in life.

Dr. Renee Mehra conducted a short meditation.

Others who spoke included Lal Motwani – GOPIO International President, Gobind
Munjal – AIA National President, ‘vegan ambassador’ Anil Narang and Deborah Fishman.

Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of GOPIO (Global Organization for People of
Indian Origin), talked about the objectives of the global organization. Shivender
Sofat, GOPIO Manhattan President, said the message shared in this session
should be shared with others. Sid Jain of the GOPIO team attended the session and Bhavya Gupta gave the vote of thanks.

Tirlok Malik has conducted over 100 Happy Life Yoga workshops over four years.
He created this workshop (No mats needed!) inspired by Ayurveda, yoga, and
Indian philosophy as a practical way to live a happier and healthier life in today’s
testing times.