On Wednesday 1st July, we celebrated 27 years of Shuktara. It is also the day that Raju chose for his birthday. We had friends and local supporters and were honoured to welcome Andrew Fleming the British Deputy High Commissioner and four of his colleagues.
There was much cake, a lot of dancing and plenty of food as everyone from Shuktara was together on the roof of Anna Bari, our boys home.
In February 2026, while Pappu was out in the Shuktara ambulance he received a call from a friend to tell him about a young man who was living with his mother alone in a small one room space.
The mother was working in Pappu’s friend’s sister’s house and was saying how much she needed help and support to care for Rajdeep.
When Pappu received this phone call they were quite near to the house of Rajdeep so they immediately went.
Rajdeep’s mother explained about his epilepsy and autism and how, without a husband it is her responsibility to care for Rajdeep and also work, leaving him alone and uncared for in the locality.
The local people were aware of Rajdeep and allowed him to wander freely, but there was always the chance of seizures.
After a week Pappu met the village elders and they approved Rajdeep’s move to Shuktara. Rajdeep came to Shuktara on 28th March 2026.
His mother visits occasionally and he is very settled and happy here.
Saraswati Puja at Anna Bari Monday 3rd February 2025
On Sunday 13th October we celebrated 25 years of shuktara with our friends and supporters in London. It was wonderful to have Pappu, the chairman of shuktara, with us to celebrate ShuktaraX25. No-one knew he was coming, only David and Pappu’s wife Deepika.
We were delighted to have to our friend and supporter Fern Britton with us to interview David and Pappu.
Thanks also goes out to Xen and Elena and the team at Tsiakkos & Charcoal for their generosity in hosting the event.
And thank you to everyone who came.
On the 14th February we celebrated Saraswati Puja at Anna Bari.
A very generous friend of shuktara in Kolkata has gifted us an ambulance.
On 27 July we had special puja blessings conducted by our pandit Sumanta.
This ambulance will allow us to assist our local community, helping those who don’t have a vehicle, or can’t afford a taxi, to take their loved ones in emergency to the hospital or any other emergency it may be needed for.
We are very thankful for this donor who wishes to remain anonymous.
Dolyatra is celebrated in March on varying dates each year, depending on the position of the moon, and this year it fell on March 7. The holiday is similar to Holi and commemorates the last festival of the Bengali calendar.
We celebrated Holi on Friday, 18th March, which is always looked forward to and enjoyed by everyone.
Our Dance Tutor Dev Ambuly (see photo above) came over especially to visit the two homes and as you can see, our new Puja is thoroughly enjoying herself in her new surroundings at Lula Bari.
The initial group of shuktara residents who received their first vaccine have now received their second and everyone who lives and works at shuktara continues to be well.
You may remember that Pappu chose the group who spend more time outside the homes to be vaccinated, in the hope it would protect them, their families and the more vulnerable ones that are in Lula Bari and Anna Bari. This seems to have worked and as I said – everyone is and has always stayed well.
Our hopes and dreams of the Shuktara Cakes Café are happening slowly, with teams here and in Kolkata working to make sure everything is done properly, legally and safely.
Pappu will be working with a consultant who has already set up three cafes in Kolkata. They will prepare a thoroughly costed business plan and budget so the Shuktara Trust UK trustees can ensure the cafe can operate cost effectively both in the short and long term.
I really appreciate all the support you have shown since 1999 and now that things are safer the UK trustees and I will be able to get together soon to discuss fundraising strategies to continue supporting the homes, ensuring that they have more than sufficient funds for shuktara’s annual running costs and get the Shuktara Cakes Cafe off the ground.
Of course, any of you that wish to run marathons or help us in any way – please get in touch!!!!!!!!!
My very best wishes
David Earp
Everyone at shuktara continues to stay well with new restrictions coming into force.
On the 1st January we celebrated Sumon’s birthday as well as a new year and on the 3rd everyone got together at Anna Bari for lunch.
Happy New Year from everyone at shuktara!
Ziffit is partnered with Virgin Money Giving to allow you to donate 100% of the value of your unwanted books, CDs, DVDs, and games into cash donations to Shuktara Trust (UK).
You can donate the value of your unwanted stuff to charity – without leaving your home – through Ziffit.
Click here to find out more about Ziffit and download the app.
