Mr. Ramesh Chaurasia belongs to a generation where he has seen family structures and society evolve. He is a man with great love for his family and his community. He shared his thoughts on why Indian family structure is still sustainable and important for raising happy citizens.
He said, “As a civilisation we have had role models, both males and females, who have been dedicated to their families as well as to social causes and this country. They have performed great feats both with support and love for their families as well as for this land. The Chaurasia community is also a part of this ancient civilization and has always valued the family system where everyone is well taken care of. Family is a safe haven where people find mental, emotional, and practical support. In a world full of chaos and competition, we all want to come back to where we are accepted and loved for who we are. A strong and happy family unit is inherent to mentally strong children who grow up to become successful adults. Today, we see that there is a threat to this structure. There are many reasons behind this including lack of flexibility in the older generation, lack of understanding and patience from the younger generation, technical evolution which has widened the gap between generations, changing traditional roles, and so on. The blame cannot be fixed on one group. What is needed is to look at how we can bridge this gap.”
Importance of strong family structures
In India, families have always cared for the older generation. Elders have provided guidance and support to younger members to go out and face the challenges of life. In strong family units, children are emotionally and mentally healthier. Even if they do develop social and psychological issues, they have a support system. During the Pandemic, social isolation as well as being away from families was one of the major reasons for people complaining of poor mental health, emotional upheaval, etc. It has had major psychological and economic consequences. In such times of uncertainty, people look to their family and friends for support. Family is the primary institution that socialises children, leads to emotional and physical development, lends financial and mental support. At the same time, conflicts in a family are detrimental to physical, mental, social, and economical aspects of the family members.
Mr. Ramesh Chaurasia shared what he thinks can be done to ensure that these structures evolve rather than crumble. He expressed, “Traditional roles in families are changing. It is not a bad thing. With time, acceptance around these changes is growing. People are having children at a later age making the ever existing problem of generation gap starker. There is a huge gap between how the two generations think and respond to current situations. Technology here can be a barrier as our younger generation has access to information and devices we could not even imagine. But technology can be the bridge between different generations as well. Older generations have to learn the use of technology. It will enable them to interact with their children and grandchildren. It will also show the younger generation how invested other members are in preserving relationships. There has to be a balance between traditions and modernity. It is important that families provide stable and sustainable environment for people to grow. Neither government nor any other social institution can replace a family unit. Their role is to empower families, help them resolve conflicts, and counsel them to be more accepting and encouraging.”
Chaurasias are people who take pride in their history and culture. At the same time, this community has adapted itself well to the changing times. Ramesh Lakhulal Chaurasia is the president of the Akhil Bharatiya Adarsh Chaurasia Mahasabha. This organisation works to bring together the people of Chaurasia-Tamboli community, and works towards the welfare of all community members. In order to encourage communication, co-operation, and bonding between the younger and older generation, they organise community gatherings. They educate people about the role of technology, impart technical education to different age groups, and encourage people to work together. They encourage families to resolve conflicts either on their own or with the help of other community members. The organisation is helping individuals adapt themselves to the modern society while preserving the essence of being a part of the Chaurasia community with its roots going deep into Indian civilization and history.
