24-01-2013, 04:45 PM
Eastern Countries Behind Western Culture
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Introduction:
The culture of India refers to the Dharma, beliefs, customs, traditions, languages, ceremonies, arts, values and the way of life of India and its people. India's languages, religions, dance, music, architecture, food, and customs differ from place to place within the country. Its culture, often labeled as an amalgamation of these diverse sub-cultures, spans across the Indian subcontinent and includes traditions that are several millennia old.
“Culture” and “Tradition” are more significant in a country like India which has always been cherishing its rich culture and heritage and it’s quite well known for it worldwide.
India is one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world, with some of the most deeply religious societies and cultures. Religion still plays a central and definitive role in the life of many of its people.
India is the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, collectively known as Indian religions. Indian religions, also known as Dharmic religions are a major form of world religions along with Abrahamic one. But these things are just on paper and are slowly losing their sheen. Why?
India is known by her people. We, the younger generation are the representatives of India in a true sense of the word. Even in history, we come across various incidents where the youth took the lead to bring about a change and get India independence from the British rule. We, the Indian youth have always been the power and pride of India. We are the sole cherishers of India’s pride and its heritage which actually lies in its culture, its diversity, its uniqueness.
Impact Of Western Culture On Indian Youth
In this scenario, where the point of a rich cultured country like India is facing the problem of losing its culture, are we, the youth; the Indian youth not actually responsible for this? Are we not putting our own self image, our self respect, our mother India’s pride at stake by doing so? Just think about it my dear friends
There is no problem as such when we follow the western culture to some extent. The problem is we are forgetting our culture to a greater extent. Why should we do so? 21st century youth doesn’t mean forgetting the motherland and following or in short adopting western lifestyle in totality. Every culture has its own pros and cons. We individuals should be strong enough to take the good and throw off the bad. But what are we doing now? It’s a shame to see that “India’s pride”; “We Indian Youth” doesn’t have even a bit of importance for India’s pride and heritage, its culture; and we are easily influenced by western culture. Right from our clothing, till the music, the films, our attitude, our lifestyle, in short every aspect of our life has totally changed. “Change doesn’t happen on its own; it’s we who bring about the change.” But by this change, our mother India has lost its sheen and beauty; its place; its uniqueness in the world..
How Has West Influenced The Indian Culture?
15th August 1947, the golden day in Indian History, the day when the British rule in India met its end. It was the day when India was declared free from the foreign rule. The English people have left but they left the seeds of their culture in our land, which have eventually grown and overshadowed the Indian culture, especially in the metros. The Indian culture is so much influenced by the west that they have forgotten the values, the principles and the ethics of our own culture. The people are now loosing their morals, they have forgotten to respect their elders, we have forgotten how to live in a society. The people are becoming more and more self centred, they only take care of themselves and do no even think about others. The night club culture has slowly developed. The youth now is found in clubs drinking and smoking. They now do not like to spend their time with family rather they just want to party at night with their friends. Even the girls have lost their morals. Now a girl going out with different guys for money is not a new site. The use of drugs has increased at a very large level. Now a girl does not feel any shame to show off her body in public or to roam around half naked in front of her own family members. They say it’s "Fashion", but in reality they are just serving the feast for the eyes of the people. The incest relationships are developing throwing the mud on the term "relation". It is shocking to see that Indians are forgetting their culture and western people are seeing India for obtaining salvation. They are coming here for seeking the true peace, which is total absent there. India has earned a good name in the field of Yoga and meditation were our gurus are giving teachings to western countries how to relax themselves & how to keep themselves away from disease were in India it is contradictory to it.
IMPACT ON INDIAN SOCIETY
India is a secular country where the people have the freedom to practice any religion and also to convert into another religion of their choice. So, all the cultures are freely accepted and respected by the Indians.
But, the influence of western culture started in India during the 19th century when the british established their colony in the country..
The culture of India is been disappearing by many ways… the families in India live separate... And thus have lost contacts with their other relatives… the lack of morals, the lacking faith in God, having late night parties, the influence of drugs and alcohols, least interest in Indian languages like Sanskrit, Hindi, Celebrating mothers day, fathers day, valentine day, fools day etc rather than celebrating our Indian festivals and thus wasting their precious time of life, Thinking to be independent at an early age.Our learning can also be blamed
This is a time of globalization. If western culture is influencing India even Indian culture is enriching the world. Rest it depends what we take up from western culture and in what way. Take a small example- They don't drink Tea the way we do but we say western culture has given us this addiction. We can blame our learning also…….
POSITIVE IMPACT OF WESTERN CULTURE
Modernization
• During British occupation, India was modernized and industrialized. British industrialists invested huge amounts of capital in the region. The British East India Company built the world's third-largest railroad network, which connected regions and enabled the country to develop a modern economy. Western culture also improved Indian culture with the development of a road network, telephone and telegraph lines, many dams and bridges and irrigation canals. During British occupation, these developed systems of transportation and communication benefited the British, rather than Indians. But they were put in place for Indian culture to take advantage of when the country finally achieved its independence.
Public Health
• Due to Western influence, Indian culture benefited from improved sanitation and public health. Many Western doctors emigrated to India and introduced the region to Western medicine. Further, many wealthier Indians were trained and educated abroad in Western medicine and then returned to their home country to practice. Western medicine significantly reduced disease and sickness, in large part because health care became accessible.