Tag: Ashok

19 years of shuktara!

Posted on July 2, 2018 by shuktara

On 1 July 1999 shuktara started with just two boys, Anna and Sunil. Our story began in a rented flat on Southern Avenue and then moved to rented houses in Jubilee Park and then Kudghat.

Today there are two homes in Behala, owned by shuktara, where 23 young people live. Ages range from teenagers to young men in their 30s. Coming from institutions or lonely lives without family, shuktara provides everything needed for a healthy, happy and perhaps most important, safe life.

Join with all of us in celebrating 19 years of shuktara - founder David Earp, Pappu (chairman of shuktara in India, guardian, advocate and friend), carers and maashis, and of course all of the young people who have a home for life filled with love and laughter. Thank you for your support, all of this is possible because of you!

shuktara homes for young people with disabilities

Shuktara holiday in Mandarmani

Posted on June 12, 2018June 10, 2018 by shuktara

On the bus to Mandarmani

Posted on June 10, 2018 by shuktara

shuktara celebrates Holi, festival of colours

Happy Holi from shuktara!

Posted on March 2, 2018March 2, 2018 by shuktara

Sanjib Shaw marries and shuktara is invited!

Posted on February 27, 2018February 27, 2018 by shuktara

Saraswati Puja on the roof

Posted on January 24, 2018January 24, 2018 by shuktara

Every year Saraswati Puja is celebrated on the roof of the shuktara boys' home. All of the young people at shuktara eagerly anticipate wearing new clothes and having kedgeree and prasad. Friends and family are invited to this puja and as you can see, there is always quite a crowd of people having a wonderful time.

Saraswati Puja at shuktara home for disabled young people — 2018 January - Pappu setting up

Old friends visit shuktara

Posted on January 21, 2018January 21, 2018 by shuktara

In 1999, the very beginning of shuktara, Alison and Bryan stayed in an upstairs flat in the first shuktara home. Their door was almost always open to the first five boys - Anna, Sunil, Shantara, Bapi and Sanjay.

For the next few years they taught computer skills downstairs in David's flat, shared meals with everyone at shuktara, and even went on vacations to Goa and Puri with the boys. While they lived in Kolkata they were frequent visitors to the shuktara homes.

They recently returned to Kolkata for a visit and absolutely loved being back with the young people of shuktara. They took dozens of photos - here are a few of the best.