India and the Struggle Between Traditional and Modern Westernization

1. India and the Struggle Between Traditional and Modern Westernization 3B5 3B Viviana P. Andrea D.

2. The Introduction to Westernization India has been the central target for Western countries for over hundreds of years. In the last 10, there has been an enormous growth in technology that has traveled very far and has reached India. These “upgrades” to the culture and people of India have created positive and negative effects. The traditional form of Westernization was used by other countries mainly for a profit, but nowadays, the Modern Westernization is used for a cultural alteration. The main question is: ‘keep up with the rest of the changing world, or stay like you are and find it more difficult to converge?’

3. http://www.tropicalisland.de/india/rajasthan/jaipur/images/JAI%20Jaipur%20-%20McDonalds%20http://www.tropicalisland.de/india/rajasthan/jaipur/images/JAI%20Jaipur%20-%20McDonalds%20 Restaurant%20with%20cow%20at%20Panch-Batti%20Circle%20on%20Mirza%20Ismail%20Road%203008x2000.jpg

4. This picture represents the gradual introduction to Westernization. On the far right, a man is shown riding his gasoline-powered bike. Then comes a motorcycle-taxi, and finally, an expensive BMW from Germany. This alteration to transportation is just one of the many ways which Westernization has changed in India. One can say this is for the better good because more people can get around easier, but one can also say that more cars in the Indian area can cause tons of carbon emissions, which is bad for the planet. That’s 1,080,264,388 people! http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/explore/bmw_magazine/01_2006/_shared/img/x5_india_01.jpg

5. This picture here represents another Modern Westernization aspect in India. Instead of eating healthy and traditional food, many people in their new cars can get easier access to unhealthy stores such as cake shops. Unfortunately, the population is not Western enough to have doctors and dentists around, so many people are feeling the effects of cavities and diabetes. http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/09/13/world/13diabetes1.600.jpg

6. This is an example of Traditional Westernization. The teenagers and children working here (and looking unhappy) a salt mill got their skills and jobs passed down to them by their ancestors. And the ancestors got their skills and jobs from the British, who wanted control of the salt. This control and alteration to India’s cultures is an example to Traditional Westernization. http://www.wunrn.com/news/2008/08_08/08_11_08/081108_india2_files/081108_india2.jpg

7. This picture is a perfect example of Modern Westernization in India. Instead of working in salt mines for the British, modern Indians now work in office booths for Western companies answering calls. http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/archives/images/set2/call-centers-india_26.jpg

8. Westernization Conclusion Westernization has occurred in India since the British became aware of its existence, yet it has changed over the years. The clash and differences between the modern and traditional westernizations of India represents the progression of western influence in the country and illustrates its increasing impact. The traditional westernization of Indo mostly involved Britain and the clothing companies. The clothing companies made Indians produce cloths which they gave to the British for money. The British then made clothing out of the cloths and sold them back to the Indian people at an inflated price. More modern westernization includes the introduction of huge American businesses, such as McDonald’s or Starbucks. Indians are gradually adopting the American way of life through food, clothing, and culture. While new technologies and advances are industrious and helpful to the economy, true Indian culture becomes lost, first to the British and later to Americanized ways. Perhaps more should be done by the Indians if they wish to preserve and protect their true identity.