Shiva is considered the cosmic reality—the supreme creator, preserver, and destroyer—who transcends all forms and pervades the universe. In the spirit of Maha Shivaratri, a festival that invites us to reflect on dharma—the righteous way of living, faith, and the deeper thread that binds us—A Lotus In The Mud brought together community voices for an engaging Editors’ Meet in Edison, New Jersey. At the gathering, mediapersons, thinkers, and spiritual explorers engaged in an afternoon of conversation that flowed freely.
Setting the tone for the Editors’ Meet
Parveen Chopra, founder of Lotus Webmag, kicked off the event and set the tone for an exchange that was both contemplative and candid. He curated and moderated the program.
Abhishek Mishra, a Shiva devotee, hosted the uplifting luncheon at the elegant Akbar banquet hall in Edison. Chopra said he is happy to associate with Mishra ji who promotes belief in God and advocates righteous living.
Religion, maya, and Shiva as a uniting force
Among the prominent speakers was Upendra Chivukula, the first Indian elected to the New Jersey Legislature and currently serving on the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. He described Shiva as a uniting force whose willingness to sacrifice for the world’s well-being reflects the highest ideals of leadership.
Chivukula said we should focus on commonalities across religions. “Conflicts arise from maya—the illusion that fuels our ego and the need to feel greater and better than others. Removing that veil of blindness is essential to rediscover shared humanity,” he said.
Through Shiva towards dharma: Abhishek Mishra’s journey
Abhishek Mishra, an IT professional with over two decades of experience, shared his personal spiritual journey, including a miraculous manifestation of Lord Shiva’s images in his home in Edison. He warned against using ‘religion’ and ‘dharma’ as synonyms.
“If there is a religious bias inside you, then it is not dharma. It is adharma,” he argued. Explaining dharma, he said, “It is equal for everyone.” Dharma is eternal and universal with no beginning or end. He added that Dharma stands for equality and righteousness across time.
Festivals as unifying forces in Indian culture
Peter (Pradip) Kothari, a long-time community leader in New Jersey and the founding president of the Indian Business Association (IBA), which organizes the annual India Day Parade on Oak Tree Road, reflected on the role of festivals in building cohesion.
Drawing on memories from India five decades ago, he recalled how festivals were designed to unite communities.
“Coming from a country of over one billion people with multiple religions, I have seen how our diversity brings us together rather than divides us. Festivals were always meant to unite people—the financially secure would contribute, prasad would be shared, and everyone, including the poor in villages, would celebrate together in a festive spirit,” he said.
That spirit of inclusion, he suggested, remains vital for diaspora communities today.
The spiritual freedom at the heart of Sanatana Dharma
Ashok Vyas, producer of ITV Gold and founder of Heramba Studio, highlighted the richness of the Sanatana Dharma tradition, saying its inherent diversity offers pathways for all seekers. Within that framework, you can design your own spiritual practice in ways that resonate personally while remaining anchored in a shared civilizational ethos. He also recited a Stotra, eulogizing Lord Shiva.
Dharma in everyday life: A practical moral compass
Pritpal Kaur, chief of Preetnama Multimedia Network, talked of dharma in everyday life. “Dharma teaches us how to live and to do good things, and it protects us from doing bad things,” she said, emphasizing its practical and moral dimension.
How God reveal himself
The program also saw discussion around the perennial question of the existence of God.
Harish Goyal, CEO of Zee TV Americas and the Yo1 health resort in upstate New York, suggested that God’s presence reveals itself gradually.
“God makes his presence felt slowly. When you reach a dead end and feel there is no tomorrow, that is when you begin to understand,” he said.
He added that he has learned a little bit about meditation while working at YO1, which heals body, mind, and spirit.
Spirituality as the defining force
Dr. Shrenik Shah, author of Practical Spiritual Life and meditation and veganism advocate, said his journey into spirituality began during his years as a physician.
“All the suffering was coming to me,” he reflected. “If I had to give my patients the best possible advice, I had to live it myself.”
That realization led him to transform his own life. From running marathons and climbing mountains to adopting a whole-food, plant-based diet, which is “the only diet that teaches you compassion.” Kindness and compassion are important tenets of this diet,” he said, adding that it also reduces cholesterol and diabetes risk.
25 years after surviving a heart attack, he recently returned from the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, standing, as he puts it, “tall and healthy.”
But beyond diet and exercise, Dr Shah emphasized that spirituality has become the defining force in his life.
Discussion: Ritual, reflection, and the space between
Sarada Chiruvolu, author of Home at Last, talked about her journey of enlightenment and the role meditation played in it
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 at ITV Gold, and Shashi Airi spoke passionately about their respective belief systems. Ginsmon Zacharia (JaiHind Vartha), Sunil Tristar, and Urmila Thirumani (both from India Life and e-malayalee), and Vishnu Raja (NRI Tamil) were recognized.
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.”
In the spirit of Mahashivratri, the audience moved from ritual to reflection, urging the community to rise above religion and ego and uphold dharma as a unifying force.
Kripa Ranjan Prasad was assigned to do coverage of the entire program to share still pictures and videos with the media.
Contact: Abhishek Mishra 732 690 0404
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