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?’
http://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
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
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
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
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
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.