Since independence, our country has made rapid progress, and a time has come when countries all over the world are looking up to India as a leader. Progress can be seen in the fields of science, trade, commerce, economy, and others. The country has also stuck to its traditional and cultural roots. Despite the march of modernity and the influence of western culture, the great Indian culture still survives. But somewhere along the way, it seems that we are gradually drifting away from our roots. From my experience, I may cite the following points or areas:
1. Materialism is replacing spiritualism –
The continuing process may not be complete, yet materialism seems to be replacing spiritualism gradually. It is good that in a country with an ancient civilization like India, people still show interest in ‘sarvajanina pujas’, religious festivals, and ‘pravachanas’. But somewhere along the way, it can be felt that spiritualism is gradually drifting away from people’s psyche. People today are more interested in amassing wealth than following a spiritual life.
2. Lifestyle is becoming modern –
In a country like India, where tradition is deep-rooted, it is seen that lifestyle is becoming modern day by day. Life is moving away from the village market to the most modern mall in the city. The present generation is taking more interest in fast food like ‘chaumin’, ‘pizza’, and ‘burger’ than in traditional food. Late-night parties in big cities have become fashionable. Shopping and dining in big restaurants have turned out to be common and a favorite with the young generation. Ordering food from hotels for lunch and dinner is being preferred over cooking at home by young and newly married couples.
3. Lavish celebrations –
When I was in my school, college, and university days, my mother celebrated my birthday quietly at home. She used to make me sit, perform a ‘puja’ and offer ‘puri-khiri’ to me. There were no decorations or guests. But today, there is a change in the scenario. Birthday parties are being organized in big hotels with hundreds of guests. People have become so used to the system that once I saw a little girl asking her friend to come with a gift for the birthday party. Parties are not only confined to birthdays; marriages, thread ceremonies, and even Haldi, Mehendi, and Sangeet functions related to marriage are being organized on a grand scale with lavish parties. Such extravagance may not affect the rich but is burdensome for the middle class and poor.
4. Traditional professions are declining –
In our country, family or traditional professions are declining. Earlier, villages had houses of weavers, potters, barbers, and carpenters engaged in their respective professions. But today, we find none. Spread of education, government schemes, and migration from rural to urban areas have distanced people from their family professions. Fortunately, many villagers still depend on agriculture, which remains the backbone of our economy.
5. Folk music and folk art are dying –
India has a rich tradition of folk music and art, but they are in a dying condition as the present generation shows little interest. Under the influence of western culture, the youth is drawn toward modern music at the cost of folk traditions like Pala, Daskathi, Sanchar, and Samprada. Earlier these were part of religious festivals, but now they are replaced by orchestral or DJ music.
6. Present generation staying away from culture –
The youth today is moving away from India’s cultural roots. Women aged 60–65 years have learned rituals, puja-path, and traditional cooking from their elders, but the younger generation hardly takes interest. They prefer fast food and online orders over traditional preparation. Once the older generation passes away, cultural continuity will face a serious gap.
7. Honesty and sincerity are missing –
Modern life has turned man into a machine. Honesty and sincerity are vanishing. People care more about remuneration than the quality of work. Excessive materialism has blinded people to values.
8. Humanity is declining –
Self-centeredness and materialism have reduced humanity. Ignoring accident victims, or doctors refusing treatment out of fear of police, shows how far compassion has declined. People are busy accumulating property and wealth, forgetting that service to mankind is service to God.
9. Ego is becoming excessive –
Ego has grown with material success. People boast of their social and financial status and rarely listen to others. Even ordinary people display ego. Society needs humility and respect for all.
10. Man is becoming sinful –
Sinful acts have increased. Crimes like rape, murder, theft, and cruelty have reached alarming levels. Even animals are victims. Compared to the past, both frequency and brutality of crimes have risen.
Though India has made remarkable progress, moral values are deteriorating fast. Scriptures predict that in Kalyug, sin will rise until Vishnu’s tenth incarnation, Kalki, appears to destroy evil. Yet, if mankind corrects its course, the end can be delayed. Peace, humility, and value-based living must replace greed and selfishness.
(The views expressed are the writer’s own)
Mr. Prafulla Kumar Majhi,
Retired Asst. Director, A. I. R, is an eminent Scholar and freelance writer in English & Odia. His areas of interests are sociocultural, economic, literary, historical and analytical studies and writings.
Email: airprafulla61@gmail.com
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