‘Unsung, Unseen Stories of Hope, Courage, and Resilience’ recognized by Raksha, Inc.

Raksha, Inc., a Georgia-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting a stronger and healthier South Asian community, successfully hosted its 26th annual event, “Ek Shaam Raksha Ke Naam,” on December 6, 2024, at the Crowne Plaza in Norcross, Georgia. The event, themed “Unsung, Unseen Stories of Hope, Courage, and Resilience,” paid tribute to the often- overlooked narratives of strength and survival within the community.
[Left] Raksha team and volunteers come together for “Ek Shaam Raksha Ke Naam.”
The evening commenced with a warm welcome from the emcee, Aruna Rao McCann, a longtime Raksha volunteer, who set the tone by highlighting the organization’s unwavering commitment to supporting survivors of violence and promoting social justice. Building on this energy, the first highlight of the night was a dazzling fashion show organized by Pooja Murthy of The Fab Store. This vibrant showcase provided an inspiring start to the evening, featuring a thoughtfully curated collection modeled by community members, that embodied the powerful mission and community engagement that define Raksha’s work.
[Right] Pooja Garg read her poems highlighting children survivors of domestic violence.
[Left] A fashion show to highlight the core values of Raksha.
In recognition of outstanding contributions to the community, Raksha presented several awards throughout the evening. This year, the Seeds of Change Award was presented to Alyssa Cobbs, a nonprofit leader and project management professional for her exemplary support and volunteerism. The Ramesh and Vijaya Bakshi Community Change Award was received by Crystal Mance and Dana Morgan on behalf of Kimberly- Clark and Michelle Lee from the National Association of Asian American Professionals Atlanta (NAAAP-Atlanta) for their support to Raksha with donation drives and community service projects. The Himmat (Courage) Award was presented to Chetan Patel, Buckhead America Hospitality, for his tireless dedication to the community and his support in helping Raksha clients with safe shelter and resources.
[Top] The performance by Shiv Institute of Dance was based around the themes of hope and resilience.
Reflecting the evening’s theme, Raksha honored unsung resilience and courage by honoring the mothers who are connected to Raksha and had recently passed away. The event also featured powerful poem recitals from two survivors, who courageously took the stage to share their journeys and inspired the community to rally behind Raksha’s mission of guiding survivors on their transformative path from silence to survival and, ultimately, to thrive. Pooja Garg, Deputy Editor of Khabar and Founder of The Woman Inc and South Asian Poetry Collective shared her moving poems on children affected by domestic violence.
[Right] The Himmat (Courage) Award was presented to Chetan Patel of Buckhead America Hospitality.
[Left] Alka Joshi, the famous author, delivered the keynote at the event.
The main highlight of the evening was the keynote address delivered by Alka Joshi, celebrated author of The Henna Artist. Joshi’s narrative resonated deeply with themes of resilience and empowerment, aligning seamlessly with Raksha’s mission. Her speech captivated the audience, inspiring reflection on the power of storytelling in acknowledging and honoring unseen struggles. Joshi graciously signed books for attendees after her address, creating a special opportunity for guests to connect with her personally. Tying in the theme for the evening as well as The Henna Artist, attendees were treated to a beautifully curated henna table by henna artists from local nonprofit OKTOBEME.
[Top] The Ramesh and Vijaya Bakshi Community Change Award was received by Crystal Mance and Dana Morgan on behalf of Kimberly-Clark and Michelle Lee from the National Association of Asian American Professionals Atlanta.
True to the tradition of Ek Shaam, an evening celebrated for its vibrant music and dance, this year’s event featured a captivating performance by Shiv’s Institute of Dance. Following the performance, the energy continued as the dance floor opened for attendees to join in the celebration and keep the festivities alive.
The success of “Ek Shaam Raksha Ke Naam” was made possible through the generous support of sponsors and audiovisual support from AV Divinity Productions, photography by the Ismaili Council for the Southeastern US, and videography by Erik Voss Photography.
[Left] The Seeds of Change Award was presented to Alyssa Cobbs, a nonprofit leader.
The event concluded with a heartfelt appeal for continued community engagement and support. Attendees were encouraged to participate in Raksha’s ongoing initiatives and to contribute to the organization’s mission of fostering a safe and supportive environment for all individuals.
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