Q.8 To what extent globalisation has influenced the core of cultural diversity in India. Explain. [12 marks]

         The free flow of ideas, goods and people is not new to India. Indian attitude of, “Athithi Devo Bhava” has always welcomed foreigners. Indus valley Civilisation had established trade ties with Mesopotamia.

This openness in Indian culture has enabled us to adapt and adopt to the changes introduced by globalisation. Though we have made changes in our life style practices, our core cultural values have remained intact.

• Language: We are often fond of communicating in our mother tongue (despite our expertise in numerous other languages). We have love and enormous respect for our native languages.
• Attire: Though we have switched to pants, formals and jeans we hold our traditional dresses- Dotis, Lungis, Kurttas close to our heart and never fail to miss an opportunity to wear them.
• Food: Despite having so many avenues for fast food and western diets in our menu they haven’t been able to replace our craving for Rotis, Chapathis, Idlis, Dosa, etc
• Social bonding: Though there has been an increase in nuclear families with younger generation shifting to cities, the car and affection which we sow to our elders have not diminished. We hold our elders with deep respect and take their advice seriously.
• Festivals: Indians never miss an occasion to celebrate. Globalisation has advanced the universal celebration of most festivals including religious ones. Also western concepts and festivals such as Father’s day, Valentine’s Day have found a larger foot print.

A study by Centre for Developing  Societies in 2016 concluded that, ‘Indians are modern in outlook and appearance but conservative in thought and behaviour.’

Globalisation has encouraged the notion that, “Greed is Good”. It has promoted consumerism and encouraged extravagance. Gandhi had conceived the future of India to be based on “minimisation of wants” and envisaged self sufficient villages as the nucleus of India. We need to engage constructively with all cultures but should retain our core principles for they are what define us.