Family and Responsibility

 Responsible & Responsibility.

My Ajji,born pre independence times,used to tell me,how big and huge her family used to be.
At a time, kitchen used to prepare meals for almost 20 and more people.
Apart from family members ( 16 and more) ,there would be extended family members,some people from her village visiting the city for some work....and even students from under privileged backgrounds.
I was intrigued hearing non family members- Coming from her village randomly....and poor students being fed hot meals.
My Ajja has financially helped many in their dire needs....and has even taken....
Responsibilities.....
Of siblings,their education, and families....
Of people from his village hometown....
Of under privileged people around him.

Post independence, my parents took Responsibilities.....financially and emotionally....of siblings and few extended family along with handful friends.

Myself and my generation take Responsibilities of Only Family.
Family is me,my spouse, kids,parents either side.

My next generation takes Responsibilities of Family too ....

But Family members are getting reduced.


" Vadudaiva Kutumbakam"
Whole Universe is My Family.
My Responsibilities.
I am responsible for my Family.......

With changing times....
Definition of Family....is changing.

Once ,a generation included....parents, siblings, cousins, uncles,aunts,friends and entire village as Family.

The size of Family started cutting down......so did the Responsibilities and members we were responsible.

Technology and Communication has brought the whole world close.....

Close in Virtuality.....On Line.

But in Reality.....we are alone and our Universe very small.

Social Media platforms show millions " Friends' who ' Follow ' us....and post 👍👌🙌❤️👏🙏Emojis to everything we share virtually.

But in Real world.....we have not bothered to know nor interact with our parents, siblings,friends and neighbors.

Self indulgence and Self Importance -

We cite inflation and rising costs to not entertain Close loved ones, friends and neighbors....in their dire needs....
Escalating costs and expenses make it difficult to help needy and underprivileged  .

Reasons are many.

Actually, in reality, Self indulgence has raised our Lifestyles and standard of living.
Luxuries are now becoming necessities.
Self Importance and self obsession is building up our ego.
A random comment hurts sentiments and ego .Forces us to ' Unfollow' and ' Delete' near ones from our " Contact List".

Though our pockets are filling.....but our hearts are becoming empty.

We are drawing boundaries around us and  putting restrictions to ourselves.
Thus shrinking our circles....and ultimately our Definition of " Family" ......
Reducing the number of people we are Responsible....
And So are  our Responsibilities.

Once it was
Vasudaiva Kutumbukam.....
Whole Universe is Mine...My Family.....
yesterday.

Tomorrow, it will reduce to....
Aham Brahmand.....

I am " My Universe"....
I am " My Family "......

Only Me Alone.

- Dr Tripti Milind Galgali
Hubli.