Happy New Year – Shafa 2011

For Shafa, New Year has always been a time to unfold new horizons and realize new dreams, to rediscover the strength and faith within its members, to rejoice in simple pleasures and gear up for new challenges together. Shafa family celebrates every occasion and festivals together whether it's New Year, Valentine's Day, Republic Day, Diwali, Christmas Day or any other festival.

Shafa celebrated New Year's Eve in Kotdwar on 31^st of December 2010. It was like every other night; there was no pause in the passage of time, no breathless moment of silence amongst the family members (dancing breathlessly to the music of the DJ) to make the passing away of the twelve months noted; and yet no member had quite the same thoughts that evening, which come with the darkness on every other night. The grand celebration was organized beautifully by the family and staff members of Shafa. Family members of residents taking their treatment were also invited and around 10 families joined us in the gala. The celebration began with various cultural activities performed by the inmates of Shafa, which included folk dance, solo dance performances, bhangra, role plays and fashion show. Everyone had a lavish dinner together and the families of the residents were suggested to move on to their chalet as it was pretty cold. However, they insisted to stay on and be there till it struck twelve. Celebrations ended up with the New Year coming in and everybody at Shafa Home, taking the resolution to lead a responsible and drug – free life. The overwhelming unison of the family members, the staff, and the families of the inmates comprehends the saying – I CANT, WE CAN!!!