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.
Shubho Dol Purnima
Tag: Holi
Shuktara news from David
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
Dol
2021 March Dol – Bablu Lal and Sumon
2021 March Dol – Moni
2021 March Dol – Muniya
2021 March Dol – Raju
2021 March Dol – Tamina
2021 March Dol – Pappu, Lali, Tamina, Muniya, Puja, David
Celebrating Holi
Everyone knows that Holi is the festival of colours, and probably the most fun you can have in India. The boys of shuktara and their friends always meet at Anna Bari to throw paint powder at each other and put it on each others faces. We all laugh – a lot. This festival is a wonderful beginning to spring and a welcome break from work and studies.
2020 Holi – Raju
2020 Holi – Rajesh, Raju, Sumon, Bappa and Bablu
2020 Holi – Rajesh
2020 Holi – Raju, friend of the boys, Vijay
2020 Holi – Ramesh (well maybe everyone doesn’t love Holi…)
Spring festival of Holi
2019 Holi – Raju
2019 Holi – Sumon
2019 Holi – Raja and Ramesh (with no colour yet!)
2019 Holi – Lali
2019 Holi – even David joined in the fun
2019 Holi – Guria
2019 Holi – (L-R) Sunil, Sumon, Vijay, Bappa and Bablu
2019 Holi – Prity and Moni
2019 Holi – Bablu Lal being true to his name as “lal” means red
Happy Holi from shuktara!
2018 March - Holi - Sumon
2018 March - Holi - Guria
2018 March - Holi - Moni
2018 March - Holi - Lali
2018 March - Holi - Puja Bagh
2018 March - Holi - Sunil
Happy Holi from Lula Bari!
Muniya greeting Pappu outside Lula Bari as he arrives to celebrate Holi
Puja, David, Ipshita and Lali
Muniya and Pappu - Holi 2016
Lali covered in orange powder
Lali and Guria - Holi 2016
Moni, Puja, Pappu, Lali, Ipshita, Guria and Prity
David and Muniya throwing green paint powder - Holi 2016
Colours of Holi
Bablu Lal in a Shiva wig
Sumon
Anna gets powdered colour on his face
relaxing after throwing the colours
Sunil and Bablu Lal
Rajesh
Sunil and Panchu-da fishing
Sunil in a Shiva wig
Holi at Lula Bari – the festival of colours
Holi was celebrated much more vigorously in Lula Bari, our girls home, than it was by the boys here in Kolkata.
Maybe as they grow older, the boys are not quite so interested, but the girls had a great day.
