On May 21st, the South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS) celebrated 25 years of transformative service with a dazzling gala at The Taj Pierre in Manhattan. Over 360 guests—including leaders in philanthropy, media, arts, and advocacy—gathered to honor SACSS’s legacy and future.
The evening flowed seamlessly, anchored by the poised presence of CBS News’ Shanelle Kaul, who brought both heart and insight to her hosting duties. The highlight came when fashion icon Prabal Gurung and entrepreneur Anjula Acharia took the stage for a lively fireside chat, weaving together threads of creativity, business, and social change. Actor and activist Aasif Mandvi stirred the room with his signature wit and insight, reflecting on art’s power to drive justice.
The keynote address was delivered by Moumita Rahman, a renowned attorney and Bangladeshi immigrant whose advocacy has altered the lives of survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and political persecution.
The guest list read like a galaxy of South Asian excellence: SEEMA Network’s CEO Seema Kumar, Grammy winner Chandrika Tandon, culinary legend Madhur Jaffrey, and Emmy-nominated host Padma Lakshmi mingled among advocates and allies. The evening reached its crescendo with Kunal Lamba’s electrifying performance, as his soulful Bollywood renditions sent waves of nostalgia through the crowd. He infused an irresistible energy into the room, drawing guests to their feet and uniting the community in song and celebration.
“For 25 years, SACSS has dedicated itself to empowering immigrant communities throughout New York,” said Sudha Acharya, Executive Director of SACSS. “This celebration was both a tribute to those who inspire our work and a recommitment to the future we’re building.”
