Centered on the theme of staying positive and moving beyond past mistakes, the virtual event emphasized India’s wellness traditions as valuable resources for addressing stress and anxiety.
The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), in partnership with the Consulate General of India in New York, celebrated the International Day of Yoga 2026 with a global virtual event that brought together wellness experts, community leaders, and participants from around the world to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Hosted by Emmy-nominated filmmaker and Happy Life Yoga founder Tirlok Malik, on Saturday, June 20, 2026, the 90-minute Zoom program was organized by GOPIO-Manhattan in collaboration with the Indian Consulate, Happy Life Yoga, The Indian Panorama, and the Indian American Forum. The event, held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT, continued a virtual tradition that began during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
The session featured chair yoga exercises, guided breathing techniques, meditation, and laughter therapy, combining traditional Indian wellness practices with practical strategies for managing stress and maintaining a positive outlook. Organizers said the program was designed to be both educational and engaging while making yoga accessible to participants of all ages.
Representing the Indian Consulate, Consul of Trade Rajlakshmi Kadam delivered a message on behalf of Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, encouraging members of the Indian diaspora to incorporate yoga into their daily lives as a means of improving overall well-being.
In his welcome remarks, GOPIO International Chairman Thomas Abraham, who also serves as an advisor to GOPIO-Manhattan, highlighted GOPIO’s mission of connecting the global Indian diaspora and encouraged attendees who were not already members to join GOPIO International or a local chapter.
The theme of this year’s program focused on the question: “How to stay positive and move forward from past mistakes to live a happier life for oneself.” Organizers said the discussion reflected growing concerns about stress, loneliness, anxiety, and mental health challenges worldwide, emphasizing India’s long-standing traditions of yoga and Ayurveda as practical tools for building resilience and emotional balance.
The event featured presentations and discussions by an international panel of speakers, including Indrajit Saluja; Indu Jaiswal; philanthropist Meera Gandhi; Beena Kothari; Paul Sladkus; filmmaker Neha Lohia; vegan advocate Anil Narang; Tara Sajan; author and engineer Annmarie Bhola; Ayurveda expert Carolina Pretto; Megi Kurdadze; and author and podcast host Victoria Moran.
Organizers noted that Ayurveda has long recognized the connection between the mind, body, emotions, digestion, breath, and daily habits. They said laughter therapy, featured throughout the session, supports emotional release, reduces stress, strengthens social connections, and reinforces the idea that joy itself can contribute to healing.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks from GOPIO-Manhattan Executive Vice President Bhavya Gupta, who also conveyed greetings from GOPIO-Manhattan President Raj Vangapandu.
Founded in 2020, GOPIO-Manhattan has combined cultural programming with community service initiatives. In addition to organizing annual yoga celebrations, the chapter hosts a monthly community feeding program at Tompkins Square Park, providing vegetarian meals to homeless and underserved residents on the last Monday of every month. The organization continues to encourage community members to participate as volunteers or sponsors for the initiative.
