Unique Tradition: Why Residents of Gujarat's Chandanki Village don’t Cook at Home

Can you believe there might be a place where people do not cook at home? Well, no? Then, you need to know a little about the residents of Chandanki village in Gujarat! 

While the country might be moving towards nuclear families, Indian villages like this have still maintained the tradition of being connected with their roots through various ways. A sense of community is fostered in the veins of the residents and that still shows in villages like Chandanki.

The village has adopted a unique tradition where its residents no longer cook meals at home. They adapted to this practice, which became a reality when the village was left with the majority of the elderly population as people migrated for work and better lifestyles. 

Poonambhai Patel, who is the village sarpanch, spearheaded this initiative. Patel, who returned to the village after spending 20 years in New York, found that the elderly in Chandanki were already facing challenges with daily tasks, in the absence of younger generations. The village population had also decreased by half because the young people left for cities, and there remained only the elderly. 

What is the culture?

This realisation led to the start of this culture where the head cook earns Rs 11,000 a month and makes traditional Gujarati dishes, making sure that the meals are culturally rooted. There is a community hall in the village that is filled with solar-powered air conditioning, that offers comfort during meals and other village events.

The villagers pay a monthly fee of Rs 2,000 per person, which includes the two meals of the day. The food is nutritious Gujarati food that balances health and food.

However, above and beyond the shared dining, the hall has also become a space for villagers. They come together, celebrate the local festivals, and support each other in times of need, as reported. 

Recently, the village and the culture have been witnessed by many social media users, who have brought this to light. In some of the videos shared online, people can be seen eating and laughing together. 

To fill the void that is left by the youngsters back in their village, this village has found its way to thrive through the community exchanges that take place in this community hall.