NEW YORK: When Deepak Chopra talks, everyone listens! There was pin-drop silence as the noted author and philosopher took the stage at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, taking the audience on a spiritual journey. Over 170 people came to listen to him speak about his perspectives on the world, touching everything from war and peace to spirituality and how to obtain it.

"Happiness is an internal state of being and the easiest way to be happy is to make somebody else happy," he noted in conclusion. "More and more people are beginning to realize that the only solution to the problems of the world is a spiritual solution, finding the creativity and the infinite potential that we all have to heed ourselves and to heed each other."

The evening, organized by Children’s Hope India at the Katie Murphy Amphitheater, raised funds for the relief efforts in Myanmar after the devastating cyclone there. American photojournalist Derek Flood showed his very evocative images of Myanmar refugees taken on the border just two weeks before the cyclone hit.

The event was emceed by Renee Lobo, broadcast journalist and community activist, who also conducted a Q and A with Deepak Chopra. Guests received a copy of Chopra’s latest book "Why is God Laughing?" and there were long lines of fans waiting to get the books signed by Deepak Chopra, and a photo opportunity with him. The cocktail reception following the talk was sponsored by Vikram Chatwal of Vikram Chatwal Hotels.

Children’s Hope India has sent $10,000 toward relief efforts in Myanmar, covering emergency food and medical supplies. The organization has teamed up with Hope Worldwide and the American Embassy School of New Delhi to assist victims. The focus has been to provide food and medical supplies, a total of 3,000 pounds, provided from Indonesia and Thailand warehouses.

Children’s Hope has also helped start a mobile clinic that will serve the Dala Township communities for the next three months. On the first day of the clinic, 270 people were treated by six doctors. Babies and the elderly were the majority patients at the clinic.