TED Conversations

Becky Rawle

This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »

Are the changes in India, such as the influence of western culture, technology, and loss of tradition, altering the country for the better?

I recently read a book in a class that talked about how the old traditions of India were quickly fading away in favor of money and being more corporate. I read that in most places, especially big cities, India is rapidly changing from its past ways and that this has its ups and downs. So I was wondering, do the good aspects out way the bad?

Topics: business change culture india tradition western culture
0
Share:
progress indicator
  • thumb

    Chetan Prasad

    • +1
    Jan 17 2013: India is complex, and this is from an Indian. You have to live it to understand it. Tradition and culture in India, according to me are things that haven't changed for centuries and are practiced without question. And since Indians have been averse to most changes, almost everything we do has, by default, become tradition. In this context, when change occurs, however minute, we Indians feel that we are eroding our traditional values.
    One example, of many such millions, would be the headgear of the people of Rajasthan, a desert state of India. Here, men wrap several meters of cloth on their heads to form a turban. This would obviously have been to protect their heads from the scorching heat.
    Now this head gear, cumbersome and impractical as it is, is being replaced by caps. And Indians are crying hoarse about their loss of tradition and culture to western ideas.
  • thumb

    Robert Winner 50+

    • 0
    Jan 10 2013: Becky, I live in a rural setting and when I must I go to the city. You speak of India but is it really different than anywhere else. In the US we express that NYC is the big apple and unfriendly and unfeeling. We speak of Vegas as sin city, Dallas as where the East ends and Ft Worth as where the West begins. Each city has a slogan, nick name, and a personality

    Should we judge the population of New York based on the cab driver .... or India by the stockbroker in new Deli. In my travels around the world I have always got off of the tourest route and met the "people". Some are good some are bad. That is true everywhere.

    India is in growing pains. It is establishing its world identy and entering global economics and world trade. In a few years it will establish an idenity. Cultural changes take generations and are not national. Some areas will remain traditional forever and others will become more ... as you say ... western.

    The thing I would be careful of is to not identify any location with the movie and media accounts.

    All the best. Bob.

    • Becky Rawle

      • 0
      Jan 10 2013: Now that I look back on the question, I realize that I could have phrased it a little bit better. I know that I cannot base all my thoughts on India in what I learned in one class. The only way to really understand a country is to go there and immerse yourself in the real culture. The question came from a book called India Calling where the author gave stories of people who lived in India. Something that he and his characters were experiencing was a huge culture shift. I know it can be argued either way and depending on who you ask the question will vary. I was just wondering if people felt strongly about it one way or another. I do not think it is a useless question. I only hope that one day I can travel there and experience for myself.
  • thumb

    Krisztián Pintér 200+

    • +1
    TED Translator
    Jan 8 2013: people never make choices between tradition and "money and being more corporate". they are making a choice between tradition and stuff, like food, medicine, accommodation and such things. you can argue that spiritual tradition is better than, say, more abundant food, or better healthcare. but most people prefer quality food over traditional culture. and who we are to question that? culture has its place in the new world as well. culture changes and adapts.

  • John Smith 30+

    • 0
    Jan 8 2013: "Are the changes in India, such as the influence of western culture, technology, and loss of tradition, altering the country for the better?"

    This question reminds me of those pointless debates on whether some food stuff is good or bad for you: it helps protect against cancer but causes cardiovascular disease, so it's not intrinsically good or bad for you, it depends entirely on your situation. The same goes for the modernization of India, the answer to the question won't be the same for everyone and an objective answer isn't even possible.

  • greg dahlen 20+

    • +2
    Jan 7 2013: I don't know, Becky, but I tend to have a certain amount of trust in people, that they will choose the best way.
Showing all 7 comments