Introduction
The contemporary world is extremely different from the one that existed a few centuries ago; today, the world is portrayed as a global village. This phenomenon has been reinforced by the ever-increasing worldwide interdependence and globalization, which has also penetrated Indian society, such that one of the most Western forms of cultural practice, Westernisation, has established itself dominantly, particularly influencing more of Indian society. The Indian youth, especially, has begun to experience a shocking revolution in such a radical and unusual way that, in most cases, they have had to abandon their norms, readily embrace, and adapt to the Western ideals that are now rapidly permeating Indian societies. The rapid globalisation of Western culture has been further driven by advances in technology, social media, and international trade.
India, being a country with a rich cultural heritage, has been experiencing a drastic impact of Western culture on its youth, and there has been a growing trend of Westernisation among the youth of India. Nevertheless, it has raised controversies in terms of what it does to Indian culture. The westernisation of developing countries such as India and all that this entails, is it progress or regression? This research will analyse the different trends of Westernisation in India, focusing on its youth and the interactions between the Indian and Western cultures.
Contrasting Indian Culture with the Western World
A wide gap separates Western from Indian culture. Secularism, materialism and individualism are some aspects that govern the Western world. In India, there are deep-rooted traditions, collectivism, spirituality, respect for family values and elders. The transition from one to another can be seen in various aspects of life such as dressing, lifestyle, food, language, relationships and so on. In particular, Indian students have been found to have positive attitudes toward relationships with family and elders, as well as towards fashion in terms of traditional and modern styles.
In the West, the emphasis is more on individual freedoms and rights. People are welcome to have an independent mind, pursue their goals, and do what they want to do. This is, however, the opposite of the Indian cultural heritage, which was embedded by families that considered the people’s will to work together rather than the idea of respect towards elders and those in authority.
In addition, Western culture is primarily viewed as materialistic, which aids to its consumerism mainly due to wealth and class needs. On the contrary Indian culture while not immune to consumerism, does emphasize peace of mind contentment and inner satisfaction. It has been the case that the rise of Western consumerism in India has caused the youth to switch their focus from spiritual growth to materialism.
Westernisation of Indian Culture
The spread of Western culture in India has been going on for quite some time, but the influence of this culture in India has risen in the past few decades. The liberalisation of the Indian economy in the 1990s opened the floodgates for foreign corporations to bring Western goods, media and entertainment with them. Change in economic policy has been responsible for not only the influx of Western goods, whether manufactured or otherwise, but has also caused a shift in the sociological construct of India.
In the area of fashion, Western influence has most certainly been one of the facets that influences Indian women the most. Other Indian garments like sarees, kurtas and dhotis are slowly being overshadowed by the likes of jeans, t-shirts and suits designed and made in Western countries. The youth, especially the urban population, has started to embrace the Western style of clothes with the new influences of celebrities and online influencers. Such changes in their clothes style should not come as a surprise, as it comes as part of their lifestyle changes, which appeal to great Western ideals of beauty, body, and self-representation.
Western entertainment is expanding rapidly. Indian consumers have bought into Hollywood motion pictures, Western TV networks, and music. The popularity of Westernised music, Westernised stars, and Westernised sensibilities has encouraged the pursuit of Westernised types of entertainment, which are expected to replace the traditional dances and performances of Indian culture.
Spread of Western Culture in India
There are several reasons for the adoption of the Western lifestyle in India. Due to economic globalisation, though, there’s a shrinking gulf between India and the West, making it much easier for those who wish to consume Western goods and ideas. The development of social networking websites has also contributed to facilitating the transfer of Western influences, whereby teenagers are daily introduced to the Western way of life and clothes through such applications as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Western countries, in my view, have been using higher education and academic exchange programs as a tool of cultural propaganda. Several Indian students study in Western countries, especially the United States of America, where they come into contact with and are exposed to different ways of thinking, living, and socialising. They come back to India with such ideas, aiming at aping the Western world.
The media has played a huge role in the spread of Western culture among people in India. For instance, Bollywood, as the Indian movie industry is known, has had films that have ranged from clothing to plots, all influenced by the West. This mix of cultures is often showcased in the images of modern women who are independent as well as in the Indian portrayal of Western concepts such as love and success.
Westernisation of Indian Youth
The most shocking change that comes with the influence of Western culture is most observable in the Indian youth. Youngsters, especially in cities, tend to prefer Western customs and touchstones more than the elderly do. Such changes are most evident in their dress, way of life, the language they use and speak, and even their views of romance and marriage.
For the youth, however, their self-image cannot be complete without Western dressing, which is now seen as fashionable and internationally acceptable. Replacing a lot of their peers’ traditional clothing, jeans, T-shirts, and branded sneakers are now fashionable. Besides, instead of being satisfied with the traditional features of an Indian woman, the desire to have pale skin and thin CDs has taken over.
A large part of the Indian youth today is exposed to Western music and dance styles such as Hip Hop and Pop. The global appeal of certain artists and the growing use of Western beats in Bollywood’s music have overshadowed traditional Indian songs and paved the way for a new era in Indian music. With Western influences in songs, Indian songs rarely get the appreciation they deserve.
The impact of Western culture on youth has also altered their approach towards their ideals and family. Western ideologies of love and individual choices are being embraced by a population that shies away from arranged marriages, the importance of family and looking up to elders. With more individuals in this era having a premarital relationship or opting for divorce, it indicates the gradual acceptance of more premarital relationships.
Nonetheless, the Westernisation of youth is alarming as it poses a threat to our Indian values and heritage. Cultural displacement seems to be real as the older generati,ons including parents and educa,tors constantly fear that the youth would grow up losing touch with their roots. Further, exposure to Western media and notions of capitalism seems to attract the youth to materialistic items rather than focusing on family or community-centred values.
The Clash of Cultures: A Double-Edged Sword
Whereas Western culture in India has resulted in westernisation and exposure to new ways of thinking, it has caused a cultural encounter as well. There is a dimension of westernisation, which has engendered libertarianistic thinking, respect for individualism and advanced technology. It has created better employment, a wider outlook on life and knowledge of different people and ideas. This resulted in the advancement of economies and the development of a more elastic and universal society.
The acceleration of Westernisation, however, raises an alarm towards the dilution of Indian culture and heritage. The modern youth tend to be reckless of ancient Indian values, including the sanctity of aged people, family, the community and the religion in the quest for progress. The ideology of Western individualism, materialism, and secularism, up to its expansionism, does pose a danger towards the stability of the Indian society that it has always relied on.
The challenge comes when one finds it difficult to strike a balance between welcoming the good attributes of Western culture and safeguarding the Indian ones. It is worth noting that the concept of globalisation does not imply a complete departure from history. On the contrary, integration of both cultures may help avert progressivism, which would require abandoning old ways and adopting new ones, which apparently cannot be an ideal situation.
Conclusion
The admiration of Western culture in India exceeds the bone-deep perception that has become customary of the Instapots’ self-depiction. Yes, they enhanced productivity for societies developing and accruing benefits of modern forms of culture , but they also set ccivilisationback at times. Due to globalisation, modernization has brought changes in ways of life, the set values, the attitudes and the once dominant belief systems. However, even such changes have a shadow: Westernization which was like a virus that had infected the youth of India.
In the end, it may be the choice of the younger generation of Indians as to how they will be able to withstand the pressures of the Western impact and yet be Indians, which will determine the future of Indian culture. The Indian population in general needs to modernise without losing touch with their significant wealth of cultural background. The real purpose of being modernised, for instance, is not the total transfer of cultures but the synthesis of the greatness of the two, while the individual remains individual.