Sakhi for South Asian Survivors raises more than $1 Million at 35th Anniversary Gala

The Glasshouse, NYC, full of attendees for the 35th anniversary gala of Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, April 26, 2024. PHOTO: Christian Fiore, courtesy Sakhi

Sakhi for South Asian Survivors (sakhi.org), formerly known as Sakhi for South Asian Women, a pioneering nonprofit, commemorated its 35th Anniversary Gala at The Glasshouse in New York City on April 26. 2024. It celebrated the organization’s impact and announced its new identity. The evening raised over $1Million for the organization through ticket sales, donations and a live auction, Sakhi said in a press release. Kavita Mehra, executive director and Beesham A. Seecharan, board chair of Sakhi, in a shared statement, said they were excited about the new chapter with its new name. “Our new identity makes our commitmentSakhi Gala 2024 held April 26, at Glasshouse NYC , seen in photo, the 3 honorees.From left, Nisha Pahuja, Poorna Jagannathan, and Mohamed Q. Amin on the Red Carpet. PHOTO: Mandar Parab, courtesy Sakhi

abundantly clear: survivors are at the center of our work.” Three leaders “who have demonstrated a commitment to gender justice throughout their professional life,” were honored at the event — Actress & Producer Poorna Jagannathan, Immigrant Rights Activist Mohamed Q. Amin, and Oscar and Emmy Nominated Filmmaker Nisha Pahuja. The gala, themed “Threads of Transformation: Resist. Reclaim. Rise.,” paid tribute to individuals who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to gender justice.

Kavita Mehra, Nisha Pahuja, Poorna Jaganathan, Mohamed Q Amin, Beesham A Seecharan. PHOTO; BFA,Courtesy Sakhi

More than 600 guests attended the landmark event, including high profile indivivuals Sendhil Ramamurthy, Aasif Mandvi, Sarita Choudhary, Prabal Gurung and Ali Sethi. Also featured were performances by Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Raja Kumari, along with other artists. Jagannathan shared her thoughts, saying, “I’ve always been deeply drawn to Sakhi’s mission and work. As a survivor myself, I know Sakhi is a lifeline to so many. Being honored at their 35th anniversary gala was not just an acknowledgment; it was a chance to shed light on the inherent power of survivors and transform the

Raja Kumari performing April 26, 2024, at Sakhi 35th Anniversary Gala in NYC. PHOTO: Mandar Parab, courtesy Sakhi

narrative.” Amin expressed his gratitude to the organization, saying, “Thank you, Sakhi, for acknowledging me – all facets of me as a Queer, Indo-Caribbean, Muslim immigrant, and leader in New York. Your tireless efforts not only protect women and gender-expansive individuals but also honor the legacy, struggles, and

Actress Sarita Choudhury at Sakhi’s 35th anniversary gala in NYC, April 26, 2024. PHOTO: BFA, Courtesy Sakhi

resilience of thousands of South Asian immigrants.” Pahuja said, “As a filmmaker dedicated to leveraging my craft to drive change in dismantling gender norms, I’m deeply inspired by Sakhi and their unwavering commitment and pioneering role in this arena, particularly within the South Asian community.”Since its establishment in 1989, Sakhi has been dedicated to working with survivors of gender-based violence through a multifaceted approach encompassing direct services, advocacy and organizing, technical assistance, and community outreach.Sakhi for South Asian Survivors raises more than $1 Million at 35th Anniversary Gala

Read More........ → May 01, 2024

FCC fines major US operators for illegal data sharing

The fines were first proposed in February 2020

This week, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has fined major US wireless carriers, including AT&T, Sprint (since acquired by T-Mobile), T-Mobile, and Verizon nearly $200 million for illegally sharing customer location information to third parties without their consent.

According to the FCC, the carriers sold access to their customers’ location information to ‘aggregators’, who then resold the access to this information to third-party location-based service providers.

This allowed “highly sensitive data to wind up in the hands of bail-bond companies, bounty hunters, and other shady actors,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement.

Under the Communications Act of 1934, carriers are required to take “reasonable measures” to protect certain customer information, which includes location information.

“Our communications providers have access to some of the most sensitive information about us. These carriers failed to protect the information entrusted to them. Here, we are talking about some of the most sensitive data in their possession: customers’ real-time location information, revealing where they go and who they are,” said Rosenworcel in a separate press release.

Specifically, the FCC fined T-Mobile $80 million, Sprint $12 million, AT&T $57 million, and Verizon $47 million.

Although the FCC’s fines are significant, they represent just a tiny fraction of the operator’s annual revenues. Verizon’s $47 million fine, for example, is less than 1% of its total 2023 revenue, which was nearly $77 billion.

T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon have stated that they strongly oppose the FCC’s findings, and all three companies intend to appeal the decision. 

“[The FCC’s] decision is wrong, and the fine is excessive,” said T-Mobile in a statement. “We intend to challenge it.”

AT&T similarly claimed that the fines lacked “both legal and factual merit”.

“It unfairly holds us responsible for another company’s violation of our contractual requirements to obtain consent, ignores the immediate steps we took to address that company’s failures, and perversely punishes us for supporting life-saving location services. Source: https://totaltele.com/fcc-fines-major-us-operators-for-illegal-data-sharing/

Read More........ → May 01, 2024