Happy new year!

We have wonderful news to share with you – on Saturday 28th December 2019 it was announced that David Earp, founder of Shuktara Trust was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of his work with vulnerable children in India.

The BEM is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown. David was nominated by shuktara friend and supporter Patrick Tissington who says:

“Two years ago I was ranting about the honours system and why so many undeserving people get them. Why didn’t people like David get rewarded? For me, the attraction of David’s example is that he saw an awful situation that he decided he could not ignore. The extent of the problem was such that he must have known he couldn’t completely solve homelessness in the world or even solve it in Kolkata. He could provide a loving home for at least some of the children whose families couldn’t support them.

So I asked myself what I personally could do. I don’t feel able to be as brave as he was and I don’t have huge spare wealth or a massive media following. So I decided I could perhaps try to see if the honours system could be used for the purpose it was really supposed to – provide public recognition for people for doing great things.

The work of shuktara is an inspiration to me and my family every day. And so we have David Earp BEM! I’m so pleased for him and can’t wait to see him presented with the honour. And there must be a party!”

 

Congratulations David – what an amazing honour and a brilliant way to start the new decade!