Family - An unbreakable bond

If I want to define family in a simple one line, IT is a unity among a group of people who care and attend to each other's needs. Family forms an unbreakable bond. There was a time when the old values of family were important and was nurtured and cherished. Earlier Family by default meant Joint family. A joint family consisted of generations from A-Z under one roof. It meant having one kitchen. Decision was taken by the head of the Family. We had one worship place.

 Someone said "Family acted as a complete security check to the family and to the grand children whose parents are working".

I myself have come from a Joint family. My Joint family consisted of my Grandmother and Grandfather, Uncle and aunties, my parents and my cousins. What a life then it was. That was a time when the joys become double, the sympathy and support of family members were enough to handle the sorrows and depression.

In case of illness, depression, family disaster, The Family proves a sheer support and comfort. I remember when my dad or grand dad was ill, it was my grand mom / my mom performed their duties without any selfish motives so well that they need not be treated by the professional staff. I think my grand mom who never went to school has taken care of their kids with their naturally over flowing love and affection. And in today’s generation, it’s Medicare who takes care of our family.

Nowadays the impact of modern culture has somewhat shaken the concept of Family. But now we are in Modern life. Modern life gave birth to a new concept of Nuclear Family. Though everyone knows the disadvantage, no one is ready to accept the truth. In this material world, where people hardly have time to believe in God, it’s a matter of fashion that parents are left in old age house and parents give up their responsibilities by leaving their kids in hostel.

How can this MODERN LIFE change the concept of family which is as old as civilization? No relations in the world can be as intimate and as close as in the family.

Now we have just one goal in life............How to have a better future. Slowly family members like us migrated to distant towns and cities in search of a better lifestyle. What lifestyle did we end up in.........? A lifestyle with more cholesterol, heart disease, alcohol, tobacco.

Nowadays the functions, festivals have become status symbol nowadays which was a mere pleasure and enjoyments, homemade savouries in joint family.

No one even thought of the Word "DIVORCE" then. Modern lifestyle has become more of a status symbol than anything else. A working lady is considered more valuable than any homemakers. And this concept has been brought by none other than we woman.

The family was much much strong and stable till the woman was a homemaker and was content a lot. I know many women now would have thought how can I being a woman say this sentence. But that’s the truth. She gave her best to the family. And once we have become career conscious, we gave our home second priority. This has weakened the family bond. 

I still believe that grandparents can look after the kids in a much better way that we can. Nowadays our parents are considered as a burden to this modern world. We treat our parents and grandparents as if they are no more a part of our world.

I am proud and happy that my parents still have those traditional and cultural views that they follow. I have a lot of respect for my culture and I pray God that when I have my kids I can give this culture to them.

I am proud that I haven’t lost my old culture and tradition but at the same time tried to adapt myself to make both culture a part of my life in a way that both cultures are respected.

I will be happier in confessing that after coming to Bahrain, I thought parties and drinks make life more sociable and modern. Before landing in Bahrain, my life was much simpler. . And I was much happier with the simple friends I had. .

I can only hope that someday Indians in India and everywhere reaches a good balance between the two cultures so that we can cope up with today’s ‘world. I hope someday people will realize the value of the generation that we have left it far behind.