Marginalisation of Indian Culture

The Westernization of Indian Culture

The bone of contention ain't a topic which would have two riparian states bickering, but is serious enough to spark a highly intellectual debate throughout the nation.

The glitzy malls, the gossipy Page-3 parties - with its garrulous celebrities, the pub culture have become a sight as common as omni-present pot holes in the Bangalore roads.

In a carpe diem, Utopian existence, the multiplex hopping - shopping Bourgeois are revelling in the limelight of a 'Globalised India'. But where does this all this hoopla leave the Children of the lesser Gods?
The beguiling future is offering the moon, and the implications of disseminating the urge to consume among people with little or no station in life to do so would be catastrophic.

The thoroughfare malls and pubs have given us an outlet to splurge and indulge ourselves in. The swanky glass houses ( Read Offices )that have mushroomed everywhere, thanks to the IT and BPO boom, are a sight to behold. The landscape is captivating even by western Standards. Buta walk in a park or an avenue is all that's required to realise the jarring overtones in a a soulful rendition of a serenade. ( For there's litter everywhere, I must say, a succour to weary eyes! )

Yes, Indian culture is being marginalised by Western culture, but in a wrong way.
The 'Westernisation' of our country is eliciting brickbats and Catcalls from various quarters. The hue and cry is unnecessary, because the finer aspects of ' The men from the Antipodes ' are worth emulating.

But unfortunately, only elements of the 'Popular Culture' like late night parties, Casinos, send our people into an overdrive. We make it a point to bend it their way ( a la Beckham, a la Angelina Jolie et al ) to an extent of idolatry.

" I have a dream, a song to sing... " - What does this remind you of? ABBA?

In a world where cut throat competition begins from Kindergarten and the concept of having 'Made it BIG' defined by Western Soap operas, the Youth of today are in a fairytale land of their own. Ambitions soar and Castles are built in the air, but when failure makes its apocalyptic presence, most of them are unable to cope with it.The illusions of a recalcitrant castle receives attrition, the high flier's wings are clipped and their dreams nipped in the bud, to be down, and in many cases - OUT!

But there's more to Western Culture than Binge, Rave and Madison avenue Style marketing...

II THE MR. NICE FACE OF WESTERN CULTURE - FINER ASPECTS

A) CIVIC SENSE :
The civic sense not to litter public places is the first and foremost of the basic tenets that ought to be imbibed from the west. ( The spic and span boulevards speak for themselves )

B) WORK CULTURE :
The robust work environment is highly productive and brings the best out of every individual. The people are respected for whatever job they do,however menial the job; measly it's pay.

Au contraire, there's no dignity of labour here and certain jobs are deemed to be a disgrace. The income disparity is glaring to say the least.

C) TIME AND TIDE WAITS FOR NONE :
The punctuality of our people can make even a tortoise seem on time. We often hear instances of the 'High and Mighty' turning up late for an event. We don't value other's time to be precious.

But such instances are nearly unheard of in the West, and in an unlikely event of late coming, they apologise profusely for the inconvenience caused.

Time is a commodity to be used judiciously.

D) TEAM SPIRIT - A SINE QUA NON :
The Concorde in the Western society can be attributed to their synchronised way of functioning. They believe in their work and have an altruistic conviction.

Quite expectedly, the people here have too many a vested interest to work well as a unit. Why was it so easy for the English to conquer India? It was only because they are a nation, we are not.

The public - private marriage of convenience is a source of constant Acrimony, with the estranged parties leaving no stone unturned in their bid to calumniate the other's name and repute.

E) DEMOCRACY :
India is the largest democracy in the world. But our Democratic setup is still fledgling. We are simply following the legacy of our erstwhile colonial masters by maintaining a centralised administrative system, which is further divided into many branches. But what purpose do these things serve when our roots are shaky and in a dilapidated condition.

In the western purview, democracy is in an elated state, where even the functioning of a government school is decided by School governors, who hold the Gubernatorial post only after garnering the confidence of the Parents.

Whereas in India, the nepotistic rulers ( Read Politicians ) flex their muscles to get their near and dear ones in a comfy, plum job ( The heads of various Government agencies are decided upon by the Ruling party )

III CONCLUSION

The India of the past was a laconic example and an epitome of refined culture. Our administrative abilities have been very well documented for me to make more than a fleeting mention of it. But we were, for many a century, being fed with a cock and bull story of our cultural inferiority that we fail, even to this day, to recognise the good ol' wine being resold in an ornate new bottle. Roger that, Folks! ( INDIAN HERBAL LORE BEING AN EXAMPLE )

I hope I have stirred a hornet's nest here, because only an open debate on this topic can unmask the masked truth about our heritage.

But, good points from any Culture are welcome. So, let us pull down the Dykes to make way for a seamless, civilised world, where ' LOVE DOES NOT STOP AT THE BORDERS '.

- Sanketh R Adiga