2023 is almost here and the world has gone on a celebratory mode already. After two years of devastating pandemic, this time the merriment is going to be doubled. Actor turned humanitarian Somy Ali, who runs her NGO, No More Tears (NMT), shares about her New Year celebration plans.
“My NGO makes plans for me therefore I do not indulge in planning anything else to celebrate whether it’s Christmas, Eid, Diwali, or any other occasion. Abuse has no days off and neither do I. In precisely 30 minutes, my day will begin with meeting 8-10 victims back to back which is called an intake process. This is where after I read the police report I still have questions for the victims while I simultaneously plan on how to transform her or him into a survivor and begin the process of healing their wounds both physically and emotionally. There is no better way to celebrate any occasion than coming up with a plan to transform someone who is shattered and put them back together piece by piece. This is the best Christmas present for me. Hindering the possibility of being a roadblock for someone who might become damaged goods if No More Tears does not help them with its resources. That would be not only a shame, but devastating to the individual in need. I can’t fathom that taking place,” she says.
Somy can’t remember the last time she celebrated Christmas or New Year eve. “I have always been working. In fact longer hours on those days due to the highest ranking statistics when it comes to domestic violence during the holidays,” she reveals.
She plans to ring in the new beginning with her colleagues. “So more than likely police officers and victims I have rescued with or come to them as a second responder once they are rescued and I meet them at the police department. That’s how it would be,” she adds.
So what’s your New Year’s resolution and why? “I do not believe in New Year’s resolutions. If one wants to get rid of what they deem to be their vices, there is no need to wait for a new year to do so. This is just an excuse to bring comfort to one’s psyche. It’s like saying let me smoke one more cigarette before the clock strikes 12 am. It’s purely immature and utter rubbish. When I know something I am doing is hurting my physical health, my doctor will not advise me to wait till New Year Eve to change or completely eliminate that lifestyle. These are all societal made concepts just like many other pointless celebratory days for us to spend money and give a boost to our economy,” she ends.
