Mandya man quit alcohol and celebrated by gifting chickens to entire village

Mangalore Today News Network

Mandya, Nov 28, 2025: In a quiet village near Mandya of Karnataka, a personal decision has turned into a story people are still talking about. What began as one man choosing to quit alcohol ended with an entire village receiving chicken, and his friends walking home in new clothes. It was not a festival or a wedding. It was, simply, one man marking a life change in his own way.

The incident took place in Basaralu village in Mandya, a region known more for sugarcane fields and routine rhythms than surprises like this one.

A Habit That Had Become a Way of Life

For years, Kiran, a resident of Basaralu, was known in the village for his drinking habits. Alcohol was a daily presence in his life, something many villagers had begun to see as part of his identity. Like several others in rural Karnataka, drinking had slowly shifted from recreation to routine.

Those who knew him say his days and decisions were shaped around alcohol. It affected how he lived, how he spent money, and how people looked at him. Over time, the habit became less about choice and more about dependence.

The Decision to Stop

A few days ago, Kiran decided to quit drinking entirely. What triggered the shift has not been clearly defined, but villagers say it came after a moment of self-reflection. He reportedly told people close to him that he no longer wanted alcohol to control his life.

More importantly, he chose to publicly mark that decision. For Kiran, quitting alcohol was not something to be done quietly or privately. He wanted to acknowledge it in a way that felt final and meaningful.

Turning Saved Money Into Shared Joy

Instead of holding a simple celebration or performing a ritual, Kiran chose a more unusual route. He calculated the money he would typically spend on alcohol and decided to redirect it towards others.

He went door to door in parts of Basaralu village and gifted broiler chickens to families. The intention, villagers say, was not charity but sharing joy — offering people the chance to cook a proper meal and celebrate together. In many households, receiving a chicken meant a small but festive change to an ordinary day.

Alongside this, Kiran also distributed new clothes to his close friends, marking his decision with those who had known him through his years of addiction.

A Village Takes Note

The act immediately became a talking point. People who had long associated Kiran with alcohol were surprised to see him walking through the village with chickens instead. Many described the moment as unexpected but moving.

For some villagers, the gesture symbolised more than generosity. It showed accountability — an acknowledgement of past behaviour and a desire to move forward differently. Elders in the village said it was rare to see someone openly celebrate quitting alcohol, especially among working-age men in rural areas. Others quietly hoped the decision would last.

More Than a Celebration

In villages like Basaralu, alcohol addiction is not unheard of. Many families live with its consequences daily, often silently. What made this incident stand out was not just the act of quitting, but how publicly and positively it was framed.

Instead of shame or secrecy, Kiran chose visibility. Instead of distancing himself, he reached out to people. The chickens and clothes were symbolic — representing a shift from self-destruction to shared responsibility.