The Holy ration card : unique document of Indian Family Value

I am unaware of any other legal, Government issued document in any part of the world which lists the names of family members and gives them the title of “Family” other than Ration Card.

Ration card thus stands as a  unique entity in this broken world of divisive parochialism and stitches the basic fabric of society called Family.

Talking with an American, not native of USA, but American by citizenship, there was this question of why people stay as boyfriend – girlfriend till eternity. There is no reason why they would do so if the relation is otherwise equivalent to husband-wife. The reason being

1. The potential risk of divorce, which can make the lawyer become monetarily higher (richer) and burns the bank account of both parties involved. The incentive of reduction in taxes does not help much in that case. However, this highlights a greater problem in foundation of the relationship, which is not secure and prone to divorce.

2. Prohibitive cost of wedding is cited as yet another source of the problem. I had a friend who keeps telling about his fiancee, and the relationship is engaged but never wed. Why? Because they are saving up for wedding ceremony. What a joke! Why would anyone spend money on marriages! Maybe  as an Indian I should know better!

3.Individual rights are greater that that of  family. In USA everyone is an individual. A divide and rule policy at the individual level may be a disintegrating force in the family. However, lack of societal approval for everything is a value that comes up as a positive in such individualism. You do not like family, no problem, you can make it your own life and owe nothing to family.

At the time of birth a baby gets a name and that is the official name of the child. I have seen my name first time in a ration card not a birth certificate. I am an Indian and family values are super important. Family exists as a single monolithic entity in which individuals exist. There role may be a baby, a teenager, a grandparent or a working class. But everyone gets their name in a single page in the Holy Ration Card. The value of  adding a name in ration card (in this case that of the hero’s girlfriend) which is truly used in its exact gravity and entire meaning in the lyrics of Otha Sollala – Aadukalam Movie. Lyric Video attached below.

 

 

Any Aadhar or other document issued for an individual does not give the power that a ration card gives. For a family it is identity for everyone, and gives access to food and essentials in Kerala and in other states of India.