Summer Solstice , June 21 ,2025 the longest day of the year and in the dappled sunlight over Central Park , UPLIFTNY25 – a one-day wellness, meditation and yoga event was launched in the Rumsey Playfield. Presented by the effervescent, energetic and perennially vibrant Meera Gandhi and her Giving Back Foundation in partnership with the Mayor’s office of Sports, Wellness & Recreation and the Indian Consulate, the event truly addressed the question lingering over our collective minds- how do we uplift our being, soul and mind in this world of ours. The answer was provided as we fell into the rhythm and pulse of this magnetically healing event.
The event was designed to gather close to 5000 New Yorkers for a spiritual inhalation of mutual upliftment.
The morning began with a group meditation by Madame Gandhi whose presence embodied both a force and a pervasive calm. There were complimentary yoga mats , tea and tunes by DJ Rekha. Ambassador Pradhan, the Consul General of India, welcomed the event with a lighted Diya and even participated in the yoga exercises. The vegetarian lunch and hydration stations offered a collective recharge and an expression of New York’s inclusive spirit. Ending the program was Madame Gandhi’s live performance that blurred lines between mantras and music – a potent example of how lines can be crossed in an impactful way.
The Daybreaker dance party brought the day to a resounding close . The question one asked: Was this a meditation, a movement, or a Summer Dream in the heart of Manhattan? As Meera Gandhi would likely say : Does it really matter as long as we all left with a renewed energy in our being.
As the sun set over Central Park, UPLIFTNY25 left behind more than just memories—it ignited a renewed sense of connection, purpose, and peace. In the heart of New York City, thousands came together not just to gather, but to grow.
For one powerful day, the park became a sanctuary for the soul—and its spirit will echo long after the final note faded. Looking forward to UPLIFTNY26.
