Chikmagalur: 53 Family Members Live Under One Roof in this House!

Kadur (Chikmagalur), Jan 13 (DHNS): When the concept of the nuclear family is catching up by fast replacing the traditional Indian joint family system, which is considered to be obsolete and an hindrance to progress, this family at Kurubagere in Kadur taluk stands out apart.

For the modern people and young generation, this family may just give a befitting reply.

This family, now, has 53 members and  all of them have been living under one roof.  The members have also been cooking food in one kitchen. Though there are too many cooks in the family, they do not spoil the broth. The family prepares 150 rotis for morning breakfast, and requires four quintal rice, four bags of ragi in a month.

Giriappa is the head of the family. His wife is Gangamma. The couple have eight sons and two daughters. All the eights sons are married. The couple have 18 grand children. As a whole there are 53 members in the family.

Giriappa was owning two acre land initially. Now, they own 50 acre land and are growing arecanuts, coconuts, ragi and paddy. To supplement agriculture, the family rears 20 cows and 500 sheeps. The family has been fetching Rs 4 lakh income from sheep and the cows supply milk to the needs of the household. Vegetables required by the family grown by the members.

The kitchen is completely under the charge of the womenfolk. There is no interference from the  male members of the family.

The women have divided their work. Every one performs the task assigned to her and in this way there never arises any problem.

Giriappa has studied only first standard. His eight sons and daughters-in-law are also illiterate. However, all the grand children are pursuing their education. The family’s first grand daughter Chaitra is pursuing her graduation, which the family members are proud of. She said “our joint family should be a model for the entire country.”

Giriappa’s wife Gangamma is strength of the family. She takes care of her daughters-in-law as her own daughters. She has not fought with her daughters-in-law so far, said Chandramma, Yashodha, Bhagyamma, Jyothi, Gauramma, Bhagya.

“The success of the joint family lies in collective decisions and taking care of every one’s needs and aspirations,” said Giriappa.