NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Chandanki village in Gujarat’s Mehsana district, once home to over 1,100 residents, is now largely populated by elderly villagers. As younger generations moved away to cities and abroad, the village’s population dwindled to around 500. The youngest resident today is 58-year-old sarpanch, Poonambhai Patel, who spent 20 years living in New York before returning to his native village.
Poonambhai’s return has brought significant changes, especially for the village’s elderly population. He initiated the establishment of a community kitchen to address the challenges faced by the village’s older residents, who were struggling with the burden of preparing meals daily. Many elderly women in the village, experiencing declining health, had been cooking only once a day, often eating leftovers for dinner or even the following morning. This practice was affecting their well-being.
To provide support, Poonambhai and a group of villagers set up a community kitchen, where elderly residents could gather for freshly prepared meals. For a monthly fee of Rs 2,000, the kitchen offers two meals a day, providing much-needed nutrition and reducing the physical strain on the villagers.
The meals are simple but nutritious, typically consisting of dal, rice, roti, vegetables, and a sweet dish for lunch, while dinner includes items like methi gota, dhokla, and idli-sambar. The cooks are hired for a monthly fee of Rs 11,000 and prepare the meals in a solar-powered, air-conditioned hall next to the kitchen.
Strengthening Community Bonds
Around 35 to 40 elderly villagers gather daily at the kitchen’s dining hall to share meals. The initiative not only provides nutritious food but also fosters a sense of community. Poonambhai, whose wife and daughter live in Ahmedabad, remains deeply involved in supervising the kitchen, ensuring it runs smoothly and continues to serve the village’s elderly residents.
The communal kitchen has become a lifeline for the elderly in Chandanki, offering both sustenance and companionship. It has helped combat the loneliness and isolation that many face, especially as their children live far away in cities like Ahmedabad or abroad in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Cover photo courtesy: @qci_sarpanchsamvaad.
