Udupi: Family Union of 480 members via Facebook

By Snehalatha, Udupi
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 13 May 2012: It is generally felt that the social network Facebook has been exploited and many complaints have been reported recently.  However, Believe it or not, there is a positive and interesting story to facebook which is surfaced recently that due to Facebook, about 400 family members have been united and celebrating by singing and dancing last two days in Udupi.

 
All the members of Baikadi family last week celebrated the emotional family get-together and re union.  This family has 480 members who have gone to other parts of India and abroad due to jobs, business and other occupations and most of them were united through Facebook last week.

 

 

 
Last Saturday approximately 480 old and young members of family joined together.  The members of old generation were very happy to be united again and the new generation were a bit hesitant and shy initially to mingle with them but eventually introduced each other and very happy to be united. 

 
This family of late Bogga Shetty & Akkama Shetty, includes children, grand children and great grand children, among them Vanaja Shetty (90) is the oldest living member and the smallest members is 10 day old baby but since the baby was too small could not brought to the union.  In this family there are three twins and has engineers, doctors, government officers, employed, business people, traders, housewives, students all are spread across Mumbai, Bangalore and abroad which was evident unity in diversity.

 
On Saturday morning the Pooja was conducted and offers have been made to Gods followed by playing of flutes. Then they wore variety of costumes and had the march fast in the neighborhood.  Afternoon all members had grand family lunch.  In the evening they were all enjoyed Yakshagana and dinner was served consisting of only veg items.

 
"There is talk of teaching traditional Bunts customs to the new generation" said Dr. Prasad Shetty. "Today there is singing and dance programs have been arranged.  It is a great feeling that those who could not come to Udupi since 10 to 15 years have finally made it and it is indeed a great joy and celebration to all and it was all possible due to FACEBOOK".