Residents of Gujarat village use solar-powered community kitchen for meals
According to Moneycontrol, the village of Chandanki in Mehsana district uses a central kitchen to provide food for its residents.
Residents of Chandanki village in Gujarat's Mehsana district use a central, solar-powered community kitchen to prepare and share meals, according to Moneycontrol. The initiative was established approximately 14 to 15 years ago to assist elderly residents who found daily cooking and grocery shopping difficult.
The community kitchen prepares traditional Gujarati dishes such as dal, rice, roti, vegetables, khichdi, and bhakri. Residents contribute a nominal monthly amount to access the meals at the dining facility, which includes air conditioning and seating for 35 to 40 people.
For residents above 80 years of age or those unable to walk comfortably, a tiffin delivery service is available. A village worker helps deliver these meals to the homes of those who cannot arrange for collection.
The village sarpanch, Poonambhai Patel, keeps his SUV ready to transport residents who require urgent medical assistance. In the evenings, villagers gather at the temple for bhajans and kirtans or play games like carrom and Ludo.
The village was once home to more than 1,000 residents, though many younger people moved to cities like Ahmedabad or abroad for employment. Many elderly residents returned to the village after working in metropolitan cities and foreign countries to spend their retirement.