Answer:

Introduction:

Globalization means growing interdependence and integration of economies, societies and cultures from across the world. It is brought about by cross border trade of goods, services and technology and flow of investment and people.

India is a culturally diverse nation. At the core of Indian culture lies few elements like family, language, cuisine, caste and religion.

Body:

Globalization has impacted India’s cultural diversity in both positive and negative ways:

• Reduced interests in one’s own culture: Due to globalization and media hype of western culture, awareness about one’s own culture reduced. People are blindly copying features of western culture and giving less importance to their own culture.
  • Example: Celebrating Christian New Year but neglecting the traditional Indian New Year (around April)
• Linguistic homogenisation: English has come to dominate over regional dialects and minority languages. This has resulted in more opportunities for Indians to freely work across the globe. But at the same time, it has impacted the development of local languages, literature and in some cases complete wipe-out of some local languages.
• Cultural homogenization: There is increasing ‘McDonaldization’ of Indian food habits and increasing interest in Western consumption goods. This has resulted in the loss of local artifacts, promotion of western dressing, shift from local culinary habits etc.
• Caste: Globalization has led to decreased emphasis on localized castes. Globalization has led to the rise of lower castes by making them aware of their rights. Caste is a less relevant factor in raising one’s status in the society today.
• Nuclearization of family: Community affiliation reduced due to globalization as the person is more concerned with one’s own interests rather than the communities. Joint family system broke down due to increase in economic migration and choice for individual space as part of globalization.
• Women empowerment: Globalization has attacked the discriminatory tendencies and patriarchal mindset in India. It has helped in getting rid of practices derogatory to women and has helped in the rise of women and exposure of women related issues.
• Resurgence of traditions: Globalization has also led to a renewed interest in India’s traditional culture and values in recent times. There is a greater awareness among people about our traditions than a few generations back.
  • For example, the popularity of yoga, Ayurveda, and other forms of traditional medicine has increased globally, leading to a renewed interest in India’s ancient knowledge systems.

Conclusion:

Globalization has impacted the core of India culture in multiple ways. While Globalization shook many of its traditional tenets, there is a sense of revival of traditions using the means provided by globalization itself. This would help India preserve its multi-lingual, multi-religious and multi-caste society while being an active part of the globalized world.

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