Chandanki village: A unique bond over community meals | Fusion - WeRIndia

In the heart of Gujarat, Chandanki village presents a remarkable story of community spirit and shared values.

Here, no food is cooked in individual houses. Instead, the entire village congregates to dine together in a singular place, transforming daily meals into a communal celebration.

This initiative not only alleviates the workload on the elderly, especially women with health issues but also combats the loneliness pervading the village due to the migration of its younger population.

Mehsana’s Chandanki, with a dwindling population of around 500, primarily seniors aged between 55 and 85, has seen a significant shift.

About a decade ago, the village boasted 1,100 residents, but now, with approximately 300 families having moved to countries like the US, Canada, and Australia, it’s the elderly who hold the fort.

To address this, the village initiated a community kitchen, run by a group of villagers, offering respite and nourishment to its ageing population.

For a modest monthly fee of ₹2,000 per person, the kitchen provides two meals a day.

The meals, prepared by cooks hired for a monthly fee of ₹11,000, include a wholesome spread of traditional Gujarati dishes, ensuring variety and nutritional balance.

This arrangement not only facilitates ease for the elderly but also fosters a sense of belonging and togetherness among the villagers.

The communal dining takes place in a solar-powered AC hall, where 35-40 villagers gather daily, with numbers swelling over weekends as young people living in cities return to visit their parents.

This practice has become the village’s remedy to the solitude that came with the departure of its youth.

Chandanki’s story is one of resilience and innovation. The community kitchen stands as a testament to the village’s commitment to caring for its elderly and preserving its social fabric.

Poonambhai Patel, the village sarpanch who returned to Chandanki after two decades in New York, encapsulates this spirit.

This ethos of communal support and shared life resonates far beyond its borders, offering a model of communal living that cherishes connection and collective well-being.

Image by Remnatt4 (pixabay.com) on Needpix (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Reference: https://www.needpix.com/photo/1819499/food-cooking-kitchen-cook-chef-nutrition-eat-recipe-ingredient