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"Globalization is nothing new to India. For centuries, people have migrated here, bringing their own cultures, social norms, value systems and ways of life." reports IDG Connect.
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| image credit: Mikadun / Shutterstock |
There have been the Chinese, and Portuguese traders, and those from other parts of the world. These merchants have not just brought in their goods, but new concepts, ideologies and ideas too, and this changed people of the land. The Buddhist influence was so great that a lot of people embraced the religion at the time. The next to arrive were the Mughals from the west, with their own beliefs, religion and ways of life. Much of north India took to these new influences. Social structure, food habits, and even folk culture changed. And finally there were the Europeans – the British, Dutch, French and the Portuguese.
All these influences have brought about a gradual end of traditional ways of life. Sometimes the impact hasn’t been that severe. But ways of life, social practices, and even the culture changed a great deal. In fact the values of Indian society and its self-awareness have changed several times over the centuries.
British rulers revolutionized traditional schools and education systems, bringing in Western education. This gave Indians a kind of global perspective for the first time, opening up the minds, and making them receptive to change, which finally paved the way for more change.
But it’s probably the internet that has had the biggest impact. Access to the World Wide Web, social media, and even satellite television before that, has exposed Indian society to global practices, trends, fashions, values, and everything else. The Indians learned to think and act differently. Many of their age-old traditional beliefs, values and practices came under threat. Many Indians have developed a westernized lifestyle for good or for worse. Its impact is felt even in folk culture and performing arts.
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Source: IDG Connect
