Essay on Modernization and Westernization in India for Class 10, 12 and Mains Exam

Essay on Modernization and Westernization in India for Class 10, 12, Mains Exam (UPSC, PSC, SSC)

Introduction: Every nation in order to progress needs to modernize and westernize. Clinging desperately to the old norms, values and technologies will impede a nation from advancement. Development is related with social changes in any society. Institutions, customs, values, traditions are few aspects of the many societal changes that are not similar in every society. The Western countries are considered to be ahead of the second and the third world countries. This is so because the western countries have a colossal quality of societal growth that differs from the others. India, over the years have adopted the western cultures, ideas, trends and technologies. India is under the impact of both modernization and westernization, the degrees of adopting not being same.

Modernization in India: Modernization is a type of societal change whereby a traditional society emulates the developed patterns and trends of contemporary society. Modernization in India evolved since the colonial period. It started during the Freedom Movement under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi due his admiration for modernism. The process of modernization in India was initiated due to the contact with the British. According to them, India was a combination of different castes, tribes and sub-castes bereft of any universal binding force. Expansion of new modes of transport and communication, introduction of social reforms, spread of western education, industrialization and urbanization were found due to urbanization. Fraternity, equality, justice, individualism and secularism were introduced. The trade union organization and labour union also came into being.  Large scale industries were formed. Various scientific technologies were used in the manufacture process. The administration governed by bureaucratic systems emerged. The rule of the feudal lords came to a stop. Structural changes were formed in the institutions of marriage, caste system, families, etc. System of adultfranchise and the trend of living in nuclear families came into existence.

Westernization in India: An important form of social change in India is westernization. It has evolved ever since the British started ruling India. India adopted western cultures in areas such as clothing, food habits, language, values, ethics, technology, industry, law, and philosophy. Printing press was introduced that helped in transmission of modern knowledge. Contemporary education is liberal in nature and is available and accessible to all irrespective of class, caste and gender. Women are no longer confined to the four walls, rather they earn for themselves and live an independent life. Unorthodox and biasness about religious views was abolished. Logical acceptance and interpretation of religious views came into being. Husband and wife in a family share equal status. The concept of love marriage, widow remarriage and divorce made their way into India’s culture. English language had made its way into the dialects of people. English has been made the standard and official language. People who speak English are given extra preference. Readymade garments have replaced the home-spun clothes. Shirts, trousers, skirts are worn by women instead of saree and salwar kameez. Men wear shirts and trousers, suits in place of pajama, dhoti, kurta. Earlier people sat on floors to have their meals. Now people prefer eating at the tables using stainless utensils, fork and spoon. Even the ways of greeting people haver westernized.  The evils prevalent in India such as infanticide, untouchability, child marriage, widow burning or sati, have been wiped off due to westernization. Growth of nationalism is also the impact of westernization.

Conclusion: India has undergone noticeable changes due to the influence of modernization and westernization. Both were adoptedby India that has resulted in significant changes in economic, social, cultural and political development. Globalization is one of the prominent effects of Westernization that has benefitted India economically and socially. Westernization and modernization have resulted in structural changes. However, the nonchalant attitude of youths, concept of living in nuclear families, sending parents to old-aged homes, visiting discotheque, intoxication do not count as a part of Indian culture. Hence, we can conclude by saying that India needs more of modernization and less of westernization, in balanced way to usher rapidly in future.

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