Shivratri Editors’ Meet celebrates Spirituality, Interfaith, and Collective Purpose

Edison, NJ: 
Celebrating the significance of Maha Shivratri with a dialogue among media and eminent personalities from various walks of life, A Lotus In The Mud presented an Editors’ Meet luncheon here.

Abhishek Mishra hosted the uplifting program at the elegant Akbar banquet hall. It was curated and moderated by Parveen Chopra, the founding editor of ALotusInTheMud.com. The event brought together prominent voices from the Indian American community reflecting on the importance of interfaith harmony, creating an atmosphere of unity and shared purpose.

(Harish Goyal, Zee TV CEO, and Abhishek Mishra)

Chopra said that A Lotus in the Mud is pleased to associate with Abhishek Mishra’s endeavors to promote belief in God, and that all religions advise doing good deeds.

Mishra related his personal spiritual journey, including a miraculous manifestation of Lord Shiva’s images in his home. He said dharma, the righteous way of living, is different from organized religion.

Ashok Vyas, Producer, ITV Gold, and Founder, HerambaStudio, rendered a devotional Shiv Stotra.

(9Media personalities Pritpal Kaur and Pia Kachroo.)

Many speakers, one message

Upendra Chivukula, the first Indian elected to the New Jersey Legislature who is on the NJ Board of Public Utilities, addressed the audience on civic engagement and community responsibility.

Veteran community leader Peter (Pradip) Kothari implored the Indian community to stay united, reflecting on the progress made since the Dotbusters episode in the late 1970s. He is the founding President of the IBA that holds the annual India Day Parade on Oak Tree Road.

Harish Goyal, CEO of Zee TV Americas and Yo1 health resort in Upstate New York, reflected that God’s presence reveals itself gradually, often becoming clear in moments of despair. He shared how he learnt about meditation while running Yo1.

Adam Rizvi, editor of The India Observer, gave historical examples of interfaith harmony in India.

Dr. Shrenik Shah, author of ‘Practical Spiritual Life’, spoke about combining meditation, compassionate living, and a whole-food plant-based lifestyle to promote healing, inner growth, and lasting transformation.

Sarada Chiruvolu, author of ‘Home at Last’, talked about her journey of enlightenment.

(Upendra Chivukula addressing the audience)

Soma Rao, head of the New Jersey chapter of One World, One Family, introduced the organization founded by Sri Madhusudan Sai, a direct disciple of Sathya Sai Baba, and its humanitarian work globally.

An interactive segment opened the floor to members of the media and community. Jyoti “Pia” Kachroo, anchor of ITV Gold, Pritpal Kaur (Preetnama media), and Shashi Airi spoke passionately about their beliefs. Ginsmon Zacharia (JaiHind Vartha), Sunil Tristar and Urmila Thirumani (both from India Life and e-malayalee), and Vishnu Raja (NRI Tamil) were recognized.

(45 people including media and community leaders and spiritual explorers joined the Shivratri-beyond-rituals event)

Key people who graced the event included Edison Councilman Ajay Patil, IBA Secretary Sharad Agarwal, and networker Khazan Gowda.

Namita Mishra offered a vote of thanks and shared her husband’s advice: “If what you want happens, that is good. If it does not, that is even better.”.

Kripa Ranjan Prasad was assigned to media coverage of the entire program to share still pictures and videos with the media.

Contact: Abhishek Mishra 732 690 0404, Parveen Chopra 516 7190 0508, Kripa Ranjan Prasad 347 400 1387