BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE
Atlanta, GA, December 27, 2025: On November 16, Raksha hosted its 27th Annual Signature Event, Ek Shaam Raksha Ke Naam, meaning “An Evening in the Name of Raksha,” bringing together survivors, advocates, community leaders, youth, and longtime supporters for an evening rooted in resilience, reflection, and hope. This year’s theme, A Leap of Faith, honored the courageous leaps survivors take every day to seek safety and healing, while also paying tribute to the leap of faith Raksha’s founder took 30 years ago in building an organization that has become a lifeline for thousands across the South Asian community and beyond.
The theme also acknowledged the leaps of faith taken daily by volunteers, donors, partners, and advocates who choose to stand with survivors. In a time when many safety nets are being reduced or eliminated, the evening underscored the urgency of community-led action and collective responsibility. The event played a vital role in raising essential funds to ensure the continuation of Raksha’s life-changing services, including legal advocacy, housing assistance, counseling, and emotional support.
From volunteers and vendors to youth leaders and longtime supporters, Ek Shaam Raksha Ke Naam was a powerful reminder that Raksha’s 30-year journey has always been a collective one. The organization’s impact would not have been possible without the unwavering support of the community that continues to show up, especially during moments of uncertainty.
A Thoughtfully Curated Welcome
Guests were welcomed into a warm and celebratory space designed to reflect Raksha’s legacy and mission. Elegant decor set the tone for the evening, complemented sumptuously by food and beverages. A 30-year anniversary slideshow traced Raksha’s evolution from its early days as a volunteer-driven support network to its current role as a professional, multifaceted organization serving thousands annually. A photo booth experience offered live photo magnets for guests to take home, adding a personal and joyful element to the celebration.
Opening Reflections and Program Highlights
The program opened with reflections on Raksha’s history and the meaning behind the Leap of Faith theme, followed by a tribute honoring lives lost this year. These moments grounded the celebration in remembrance and purpose, acknowledging both progress made and lives still at risk.
Moments of levity followed with a comedy set by Kanchana Raman, whose humor brought shared laughter to the room. The program then transitioned into its first major recognition of the evening with the presentation of the Seeds of Change Award to Mahendra Patel.
Mahendra Patel was honored for his inspiring journey from corporate engineer to entrepreneur, real estate investor, and community advocate. His story of resilience and transformation exemplified how personal adversity can be channeled into meaningful service and community impact. After being accused of attempting to kidnap a toddler at an Acworth Walmart, Patel spent 46 days in jail based on a mother’s misinterpretation of his actions. However, surveillance footage later proved he was actually trying to prevent the child from falling off a mobility scooter, leading the District Attorney to dismiss all charges and clear his name.
Honoring Champions of Change
The Ramesh and Vijaya Bakshi Community Change Award was presented to the Ismaili Council for the Southeastern United States. Raksha’s first faith-based partner, the Council has been a steadfast ally for three decades. Its visionary, service-driven programming and unwavering support of Raksha’s mission exemplify what it means to build a stronger, more inclusive South Asian community.
The Himmat Courage Awards recognized two individuals whose work and lived experiences embody the heart of Raksha’s mission.
Sewa Fields was honored for her powerful journey from surviving domestic violence and loss to building a life rooted in restoration, advocacy, and purpose. After moving from India to the United States, Fields endured eight years of domestic abuse exacerbated by her isolation and the fear of jeopardizing her legal residency. Her courage and continued work as a speaker and abuse prevention advocate reflected the strength it takes to transform survival into service.
Collin Mickle, Managing Attorney at the Tahirih Justice Center, received the Himmat Courage Award for his unwavering advocacy for survivors. His tireless legal work, including extensive efforts to secure freedom for survivors facing immigration detention, has changed lives and restored dignity. His commitment reflects the vital role of survivor-centered legal advocacy.
One of the most powerful moments of the evening came through the testimony of Anju Gattani, award-winning author and former international journalist, who shared her deeply personal journey as a survivor of domestic violence.
Gattani spoke with courage and clarity about leaving a 29-year abusive marriage and the life-saving role Raksha played at every stage of her escape and recovery. She described making her first calls to Raksha from behind closed doors, whispering through layers of walls and glass for safety, as risk assessments and safety plans were put into place. Raksha provided immediate support through emergency housing coordination, transportation assistance, food resources, and emotional care during a period of escalating danger.
Her journey continued across state lines, with Raksha ensuring a seamless transition to partner organizations that provided continued housing support, counseling, medical coverage, and therapy. Even from another state, Raksha remained present, offering legal consultations and financial assistance to help her pursue divorce and regain control of her life.
Gattani spoke candidly about the invisible forms of abuse that often go unrecognized, the heightened danger survivors face when they choose to leave, and the importance of replacing judgment with understanding. She urged the community to be the light, the financial support, and the village that helps survivors step out of darkness and into safety, emphasizing that advocacy and presence can change the trajectory of a survivor’s life.
Three Decades of Impact and Emerging Challenges
Raksha leadership reflected on the organization’s growth over three decades, from a small volunteer-based network to a professional agency serving thousands through education, outreach, and direct services. Today, Raksha conducts extensive training programs, operates comprehensive legal advocacy services including a newly launched family law project, provides up to 24 months of housing assistance for survivors, and offers counseling and parenting support for families impacted by abuse. Its work has also expanded internationally through training and capacity-building initiatives.
The evening also addressed significant challenges facing the organization. Earlier this year, Raksha lost approximately $700,000 in federal funding following grant terminations that affected programs serving underserved communities and providing emergency basic needs such as food and utilities. While the loss was substantial, speakers emphasized the extraordinary response from the community. Families, foundations, students, and grassroots supporters stepped forward to help bridge the gap, reaffirming that Raksha would not face these challenges alone.
Art and culture played an important role in the evening’s narrative of resilience and hope. A powerful performance by NachAtlanta and an energetic Bollywood dance mix by Raksha Youth brought vibrancy to the celebration.
Youth leadership was further highlighted through the recognition of Sana Verma, who self-published a book on trauma and victimization as part of her Girl Scout project. Her work reflected the growing role of young people in advocacy, education, and social change.
The evening featured a vendor marketplace and raffles supported by generous community partners. Special thanks were extended to raffle sponsors including Nisha Agarwal, Franchise Owner of Tanishq Atlanta, for contributing gold coins, Chaibox for their signature teas, and HKT Custom Clothiers for designing Raksha’s custom 30th anniversary pocket squares.
Raksha expressed deep gratitude to its sponsors, whose partnership made the event possible and whose support is especially critical during a period of unprecedented funding challenges in Georgia and nationwide. Volunteers were also recognized for their indispensable role, reinforcing that Raksha’s work is strongest when powered by community commitment.
As Raksha marks 30 years of service, Ek Shaam Raksha Ke Naam 2025 stood as both a celebration and a recommitment. It honored survivors who take brave leaps toward safety, advocates who persist in the face of uncertainty, and a community that continues to believe in healing and justice.
In honoring courage, resilience, and collective action, the evening reaffirmed a powerful truth. When a community chooses to take a leap of faith together, doors remain open, lives are saved, and hope continues to find its way into the darkest places.
