Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 4 CITY VIEWS June 12, 2026 T he Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA), BRUHUD NY Seniors, and Jaipur Foot USA announced a series of special yoga, wellness, and spirituality programs in NewYork during the International Day of Yoga celebrations. The programs will feature Padma Shri Dr. H. R. Nagen- dra, internationally renowned Yog Guru and president of S-VYASA University, Bengaluru, accompanied by Dr. N. K. Manjunath, Vice Chancellor of S-VYASA University, India. Dr. H. R. Nagendra and Dr. N. K. Manjunath are visit- ing NewYork at the invitation of the Rajasthan Associa- tion of North America (RANA) A major highlight of the visit will be Dr. Nagendra’s par- ticipation as Chief Guest at the International Day of Yoga celebrations at Times Square on June 21, 2026, organized by the Consulate General of India, NewYork. The iconic event attracts thousands of yoga enthusiasts from across the United States and around the world. Prior to the Times Square event, Dr. Nagendra will inaugurate a special Yoga &Wellness Retreat at the world- class YO1 Longevity & Health Resorts in Monticello, New York, from June 12–14, 2026. The retreat will feature yoga sessions, meditation, lectures on stress management, healthy aging, holistic wellness, and interactive discus- sions with community leaders, physicians, and wellness professionals. Among the distinguished speakers at the YO1Wellness Retreat will be renowned interventional cardiologist Dr. Samin K. Sharma, Director of Interventional Cardiology at Mount Sinai Hospital, and noted healthcare leader Dr. Raj Bansal founder of one of the largest ACO of USA are Patrons of RANA and strong advocates of health, well- ness, and community service. Dr. H. R. Nagendra praised the efforts of Prem Bhan- dari, Chief Advisor for International Affairs of S-VYASA University, Chairman of Jaipur Foot USA, & BRUHUD NY Seniors, and President of RANA NewYork, for his long- standing commitment to promoting yoga globally. Dr. Nagendra said: “I am delighted to visit NewYork for the International Day of Yoga celebrations. I am honored to join the Times Square Yoga event at the invitation of the Consulate General of India, NewYork. For more than a decade, Prem Bhandari has tirelessly promoted yoga, Indian knowledge systems, and spiritual values across the United States. From the United Nations and Capitol Hill to Times Square and numerous community organizations, his efforts have helped bring the timeless wisdom of yoga to people from By a StaffWriter Renowned Yog Guru Dr. H. R. Nagendra To Visit New York For International Day Of Yoga Celebrations This Column is to commemorate ‘International Day of YOGA (IDY)’, as proclaimed by the United Nations and observed every year on JUNE 21. Y oga! The word has now become omnipresent and is literally on everybody’s lips. It is truly remark- able how this ancient Indian wisdom has touched the hearts of people across the globe and transformed into a global movement. From iconic landmarks in world capitals to remote villages, from educational institutions and healthcare centers to corporate boardrooms, Yoga has become a univer- sal language of well-being, harmony and inner empowerment. Its journey from the spiritual traditions of India to a world- wide phenomenon is perhaps one of the most inspiring examples of how an ancient idea can address the needs of the modern world. Yoga as a method & practice has evolved over centuries since the time it was developed in ancient India. As on today for a seeker, there are so many forms & branches of Yoga to choose from & hence at times one gets confused as to which is the best one for me. However, from a practical point of view, Real Yoga is the one that does not merely give tempo- rary health & happiness but the highest stage achieved through Yoga is the one where no behavioural ailments, mental tensions or worries exist. In fact, it won’t be wrong to say that it is an ideal method of curing physical & psychological dis- orders for several births. Unfortunately, in many places Yoga is still viewed only as a set of physical postures or breathing exercises. While these certainly offer tre- mendous benefits to the body and mind, they represent only a small part of the vast spiritual science that Yoga truly is. The original objective of Yoga was not merely physical fitness but self-transformation. It aimed at helping an individual rise above limitations, discover inner strengths and establish a lasting connection with the Supreme Source of all power and wisdom. Of all the Yoga techniques taught by various Yogi’s over centuries, Raj Yoga has been termed as the King of all Yoga. Before getting into practice of this unique meth- od, it is essential for an aspirant to have a clear image of Supreme. Holy Gita say’s ‘An idea yogi is the one who has purity and chastity in thought, word and deed, who has knowledge & wisdom, whose mind is subdued and who remains constantly in soul-consciousness and yogic meditation, who has conquered temptation of senses, who has cast aside ego, lust, greed, anger, attachment etc…,who neither grieves for loss nor is jubilant for gain or success, in whose eyes all are equal, who is selfless & peaceful, whose diet is pure and in whose life there is austerity, who is upright, whose mind is in the highest region, who knows Almighty in His true essence, who performs all deeds while in Yoga with Supreme’. These lofty ideals may appear difficult in today’s fast-paced world, yet they re- main highly relevant. Modern society has achieved phenom- enal progress in science and technology, but inner stability continues to elude millions. Raj Yoga provides a practical framework through which spiritual principles can be integrated into everyday living. It does not demand withdrawal from responsibilities; rather, it teaches the art of remaining spiritually aware while per- forming worldly duties with efficiency and detachment. So, to become an Ideal Yogi, one needs to first of all understand the nuances of definition that is men- tioned above & then start his/her jour- ney of achieving a stage of life liberation while leading a worldly life. Yoga in actual sense means union or link. It is union of the self (soul) with supreme (almighty) for which there is a prerequisite that an aspirant needs to follow. He/she must understand a fact that we are soul and not body. All our physical & mental sufferings are a result of our failure to remain in soul con- sciousness which has today made our lives miserable. When a person begins to identify with the soul rather than the body, a profound shift takes place in per- ception. Differences that once appeared significant gradually lose their power, and values such as compassion, pa- tience and respect emerge naturally. This change is not imposed from outside; it arises from an awakened understanding of one’s true identity. Such awareness empowers an individual to face life’s challenges with greater courage and emotional resilience. As humanity prepares to celebrate In- ternational Yoga Day, perhaps the greatest tribute to Yoga would not be the number of people performing postures in a public gathering, but the number of individuals who resolve to bring greater peace, purity and positivity into their daily lives. The true success of Yoga lies not in records that are created for a day, but in the transfor- mation that is sustained for a lifetime. Rajyogi Brahma Kumar Nikunj Ji is a writer and spiritual educator who has written for publications in India,Nepal & UK. By Rajyogi Brahma Kumar Nikunj Ji International Yoga Day : Looking Beyond The Postures PHOTO:PROVIDED 11th International Day of Yoga being celebrated June 20, 2025, at the United Nations, NY. PHOTO:PERMANENT MISSION OF INDIA IN NEWYORK. - Continued On Page 5