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Author Alka Joshi headlines Raksha’s 26th Ek Shaam, celebrating resilience, courage, hope

BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE

Atlanta, GA, January 28, 2025: In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to overlook the quiet heroes among us—those whose stories of hope, courage, and resilience often go unnoticed. These unsung individuals face adversity in silence, yet their strength resonates far beyond the challenges they endure.

It is important as a society to shine a light on the hidden narratives of survival and determination within our communities, celebrating the lives of those whose journeys remain largely unseen. Through their unwavering resolve, these remarkable individuals offer a powerful reminder that resilience isn’t always loud or celebrated—it’s sometimes found in the quiet, steadfast perseverance of everyday people.

Georgia-based nonprofit, Raksha, Inc., dedicated to fostering a stronger and healthier South Asian community marked a significant milestone with the successful hosting of its 26th annual event, Ek Shaam Raksha Ke Naam, on December 6, 2024, at the Crowne Plaza in Norcross, Georgia. This year’s theme, “Unsung, Unseen Stories of Hope, Courage, and Resilience,” honored the often-overlooked narratives of strength and survival within the South Asian community. The event brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds to reflect on and celebrate the quiet yet powerful stories of perseverance, offering a poignant reminder of the resilience that lies within those who often go unnoticed. Through this powerful tribute, Raksha, Inc. not only recognized the untold journeys of courage but also amplified the voices of those whose struggles and triumphs have shaped the community in ways that remain largely unseen.

Aruna Rao McCann

The evening began with a heartfelt welcome from emcee Aruna Rao McCann, a longtime Raksha volunteer, who highlighted the organization’s unwavering commitment to supporting survivors of violence and promoting social justice.

The fashion show.

Setting an inspiring tone for the night, the first major highlight was a dazzling fashion show organized by Pooja Murthy of The Fab Store. This vibrant showcase featured a thoughtfully curated collection modeled by community members, symbolizing Raksha’s mission and its deep-rooted connection to the South Asian diaspora.

In line with the evening’s theme, Raksha recognized outstanding contributions to the community through its annual awards:

Alyssa Cobbs

Seeds of Change Award: Presented to Alyssa Cobbs, a nonprofit leader and project management professional, for her exemplary support and volunteerism.

Crystal Mance and Dana Morgan.

Ramesh and Vijaya Bakshi Community Change Award: Awarded to 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 impactful support of Raksha through donation drives and community service projects.

Chetan Patel

Himmat Courage) Award: Bestowed upon Chetan Patel of Buckhead America Hospitality for his tireless dedication to helping Raksha clients with safe shelter and resources.

A poignant tribute honored the mothers connected to Raksha, who had recently passed away, and celebrated their legacies of resilience and strength. This was followed by powerful poem recitals from two survivors, who courageously shared their journeys, inspiring the audience to rally behind Raksha’s mission of guiding survivors from silence to survival and ultimately to thriving.

Per UNICEF, over half of the world’s children experienced severe violence last year of whom 64 per cent are in South Asia. While we often focus on the direct victims of domestic violence, it’s crucial to recognize the silent suffering of another group: the children caught in its wake.

“When I shared my poetry on this stage a few years ago, I was still on my path to be a survivor. Today, I would like to take this time to give voice to the voiceless amongst us—our children affected by domestic violence. Because when we think about domestic violence, we only think about intimate partner abuse. Children are often forgotten as collateral damage,” Pooja Garg, a survivor expressed, ahead of her moving recitation. Garg, as part of fellowship at USC Annenberg, said she explored intergenerational trauma and the effect of domestic violence on children. “It may surprise some of us to know that the trauma these children go through is similar to soldiers in war. And these adverse childhood experiences can reduce a child’s life span by as much as 20 years. We have one of the highest number of child survivors and I spoke with many. My poems are inspired by some of these real-life conversations that I had. I would urge you to think of these children as you listen. My son Tanmay is in the audience tonight and he inspires me everyday with his compassion and this is also for him,” she said.

In her poems, Pooja said she aimed to reflect the ”raw, immediate form in which these conversations came to her—haltingly, sparsely, brokenly.”

Author Alka Joshi

“It takes a lot of courage, I think, for anyone to raise somebody else up, to elevate somebody else to a level that they feel worthwhile, and feel that they are contributing,” keynote speaker of the night, celebrated author of The Henna Artist said in her address. She captivated the audience, underscoring the power of storytelling to amplify unseen struggles. Joshi shared her personal journey from advertising to becoming a writer. After experiencing the 2008 recession, she pursued a Master’s in Creative Writing and began working on her novel, inspired by her mother’s experiences in India. Despite facing numerous setbacks, including multiple rounds of revisions and rejections, Joshi said she persevered, eventually securing a publishing contract.  Joshi reflected on the lessons learned about the importance of giving women a voice, acknowledging South Asia’s contributions, and the value of community support in the creative process.

Joshi graciously signed books for attendees, creating a special opportunity for guests to connect with her personally.

OKTOBEME founder Niharika Singh at the henna table.

Complementing the evening’s theme, guests enjoyed a beautifully curated henna table by local artists from the nonprofit OKTOBEME, adding a cultural and artistic touch inspired by Joshi’s work. 

Performers from Shiv’s Institute of Dance.

The evening featured a vibrant dance performance by Shiv’s Institute of Dance. The festivities concluded with an open dance floor, allowing attendees to celebrate and carry forward the evening’s energy.

Raksha thanked its supporters and sponsors including Pranan Foundation (Diamond Sponsor), Astreya (Platinum Sponsor), Delta Airlines, and the Soni Family of Augusta, GA (Gold Sponsors), as well as Bluerock Wealth Management, ADR, Inc., Sheth Family Foundation, and Drs. Anu and Subra Bhat (Silver Sponsors), audiovisual support from AV Divinity Productions, photography by the Ismaili Council for the Southeastern US, and videography by Erik Voss Photography played a vital role in creating a truly memorable evening. Guests were also treated to a delectable South Asian feast, thoughtfully catered by Walia Hospitality Group and CB Catering (Cafe Bombay).

The event concluded with a heartfelt call 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.

Raksha, Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in Georgia, dedicated to promoting a stronger and healthier South Asian community through confidential support services, education, and advocacy. Raksha addresses social issues within the community, including family and sexual violence, and works towards healing, empowerment, and justice for survivors.

For more information about Raksha, Inc. and to learn how to get involved, visit www.raksha.org or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, X, or LinkedIn (@rakshainc).

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