पड़ोस (Pados)
A neighborhood development and health initiative
Indians and Indian society derived its strength for hundreds of years from two important cultural – joint families and neighborhood. Joint Families-People lived together ,often for many generation and everything that had were shared by the family. Not everybody in the family was equal or alike, but they complemented and supported each
other. Their wisdom and knowledge, their education and position, their abilities and experience ,their earnings and support- all were shared. Household work, rearing up of children,care for elders –all were shared. And so were shared-their weaknesses and sorrow, their problems and stresses, their financial and special needs . They shared occasions, festivals and happy and unhappy events in the family. Families were closely knit and the relations were strong and dependable. Any loss was shared. They were cared for when they were sick . Families were taken care for well in an unfortunate event of death of father or mother. And, people lived happily enjoying everyday family events. Incidence of life style diseases-hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart diseases and diabetes were less. Neighborhood-Neighbors were there for generations together and were actually like an extended joint families and they offered support and shared all events and everyday life together. They cared for each others and bothered for their well being. They were there whenever there was a need and even without. Their interest in the family matters was not considered an interference because they were also an extended family.
