Indian American journalist’s wellness & spirituality website launched in New York

New York: A new wellness and spirituality web magazine, alotusinthemud.com, founded by seasoned journalist Parveen Chopra was launched at the Consulate of India in New York on January 21.

Chopra, who has rich experience in body-mind-spirit journalism, summed up the webzine’s unique content mix in his speech at the launch, “We tap the world’s religious and spiritual traditions for wisdom as well as draw from the latest medical and scientific research to present content for our readers to be fully productive and successful and yet be healthy, happy and centered.” He added that every article they post on alotusinthemud.com must pass the litmus test of usefulness -- something that the readers can benefit from to better their lives.

In support he cites articles on the site such as, ‘Practical uses of faith—A Zoroastrian perspective’, ‘The 4 happy hormones and how to boost them’, ‘Is work worship - renegotiating work-life balance’ and ‘Beware the frozen food convenience’.

Unique interactive features of his web magazine, Chopra pointed out, include short meditations with soothing music, personality quizzes, and space for visitors to share their experiences of healing and personal or spiritual growth.

Launching the website, Consul General Randhir Jaiswal congratulated Chopra for the initiative which he called as “another slice of India in America, promoting wellness through yoga, right food habits, etc, and from which people should take benefit”.

Chopra agreed that even though the Lotus site respects and sources from the world’s major faiths, its founders, advisers and donors being proud people of Indian origin are committed to preserving, protecting and promoting Indian heritage by projecting it to American audiences.

At the launch event, a video introducing the webzine explained that ‘Lotus in the mud’ is a key concept in Hinduism and Buddhism, signifying that we may get muddled by problems, but we have the inherent capability to emerge as full bloom lotuses in body, mind, and spirit.

Guest speakers at the launch included Nitin Ajmera, Chairman of the Parliament of the World’s Religions (via a video message); Reverend Tom Goodhue, Executive Director Emeritus of Long Island Council of Churches; Arvind Vora, founder of Shanti Fund that promotes Gandhi’s ideals among school children in Suffolk County; and Dr Bhaswati Bhattacharya, a licensed physician affiliated with Cornell Medical College and author of ‘Everyday Ayurveda’ published by Penguin Random House.

Supporters gracing the event included Anil Bansal, former FIA President, entrepreneur and philanthropist Mohan Wanchoo, Kamlesh Mehta, Chairman of The South Asian Times, Prof. Indrajit Singh Saluja, editor-publisher of The Indian Panorama, John Di Leonardo, founder of Humane Long Island, real estate tycoon Darshan Singh Bagga, and Julian Lines, President of Matagiri Sri Aurobindo Center in upstate New York.

A trained teacher of meditation, Chopra had founded Life Positive, India’s first spiritual magazine from New Delhi in 1996 after leaving his job at India Today. Here in the US, he edited The South Asian Times and One World Under God interfaith journal.

Last year Chopra founded American Center for Wellness & Spirituality Inc, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, to run the Lotus website.

Subscription to alotusinthemud.com is free.

Nitin Ajmera, Chairman of the Parliament of World's Religions, sent a video message for the Lotus launch.

Parveen Chopra speaking at the Lotus launch

Indian Consul General in New York, Randhir Jaiswal (left) and Parveen Chpra, alotusinthemud.com founder, at the launch