Indian Society (Social Processes and Changing Dynamics) by Smriti Rao Mishra

Model Answer

Question #1. The urbanization process in India has witnessed a skewed growth towards particular regions of the country as well as within the cities itself. Discuss.

Approach:

• Briefly state the extent of urbanization in India ( 40 words)
• Explain how urbanization is skewed towards particular regions of the country ( 100 words)
• Discuss suggestions and way forward ( 70 words)
• Conclude ( 40 words)

Hints:

Urbanization refers to the population shift from rural areas to urban areas, the gradual increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas, and the ways in which each society adapts to this change. Total urban population of India in 2011 is estimated at 377 million which is estimated at 31.16 per cent of the total population of the country.

Skewed nature of urbanization process:

• In states like Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab and Tamil Nadu more than 35 per cent people live in urban centres.
• Whereas only 20 per cent of people in Uttar Pradesh live in cities, only 14. 3 of Orissa is urbanised and 10 per cent of Bihar lives in urban centres. Thus it indicates that urbanization is concentrated in few states than in others.
• Secondly, urbanisation in India has been mostly present in southern and western part of the country and not much in eastern and North-east India.
• Apart from state capitals and few urban centres, within the state urbanisation is more or less meager.
• Also state led planning is inclined towards developing new urban townships located near already urbanized centres rather than urbanizing new regions.
• Within the cities, urbanisation in sense of urban facilities is skewed towards the core region of cities, keeping the outskirts of the cities undeveloped.
• Failure of the majority of cities to deliver adequate services and infrastructure means that urbanization patterns are skewed, adding pressure on a handful of already burdened urban centres.
• Organizing principle of urban economics—spatial equilibrium, which dictates that if an urban centre has high wages and good services, it will also have a high cost of living, which in turn will make other centres attractive and lead to equalization of growth across a region—has failed to function adequately in India. 
• Slums, old settlements and illegal constructions in the cities don’t show signs of urbanisation, thus giving a perception of urbanisation process witnessing a skewed growth within the cities itself.

Way forward:

• Integrate urbanisation process with the development plans of the country for developing non-agricultural activities like manufacturing services and infrastructure leading to attainment of external economies.
• Develop rural districts, by developing towns in highly rural districts.
• Develop satellite townships in and around large cities.
• The state government of Uttarakhand, for example, is taking steps to merge peri-urban areas (areas in the periphery of the urban) with urban local bodies. This will entitle these areas to civic amenities such as piped water supply, sewerage network, and solid waste management.
• Develop secondary cities to divert rural migration away from the large cities toward secondary cities and to foster stronger urban-rural links.

Conclusion:

The skewed Urbanization that has resulted cannot be a healthy long-term model. The challenge and responsibilities of achieving the SDG 11 are imperative in India. Urbanisation must usher in a process of inclusive economic growth and counter the trends in rural-urban and intra-urban inequality that have grown at an alarming rate. Although many commendable measures such as Smart Cities, AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Mission, etc. have been taken in recent time in India, yet more such measures are needed for sustainable, environmental friendly urbanization.

Question #2. Has Westernization impacted the Indian value system adversely? Elaborate your answer with illustrations. 

Approach               

1. Briefly introduce with Westernization in India (30 words)
2. Discuss positive and negative impact of westernization on Indian value system (100 words)
3. Conclusion (20 words)

Hints:

Westernisation in India has taken place as a result of British rule. The 150 years British rule produced some radical and lasting changes in Indian social set up. The Britishers brought with them new technology, knowledge, beliefs, values and institutions. In present times too, people around the globe are more connected with faster means of travel and communication, exchange of ideas through literature and cinema, rise of social networking etc. which also impact Indian culture.

It is argued that these cultural contacts with the West have had an adverse impact on our value system, which can be understood in following ways:

• Loss of group identity: The encouragement of the Western ideal of individualism has led to the loss of group identity and solidarity especially amongst young Indians. This has had an erosional impact on India’s traditional institutions of marriage, family and household.
• Rise of consumerism: It is seen as fundamentally against the cultural ethos of the Indian society which has traditionally been closer to nature and driven by austerity. It can be witnessed in the changing dietary patterns of Indian people, especially in urban India, which leads to overconsumption, wastage of food, rise in obesity and other lifestyle diseases.
• Impact on Indian education system: The present education system structure reflects western ideas and philosophies both in design and content. The curriculum follows the cognitive styles of the dominant Western culture, which has impacted the minds of Indian students. The traditional Indian system, which included character and moral development of human beings is missing.
• Introduction of western ways of life especially through Hollywood movies and social media has increased party culture in India exposing the youth towards increased alcohol and substance addiction. It has also exposed them to pornography, vulgarity, racism, political propaganda, etc.
• Decline in Indian ethical values: Westernisation has led to decline in ethical values amongst people. For example, values such as honesty, integrity, kindness, truthfulness, and respect towards elders are becoming secondary as compared to attaining profits and material wealth.
• Many also consider celebrations of Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve etc. as a form of cultural invasion by many.

But it is also true that contact with the West has added to Indian culture by both popularising and empowering it. This is reflected across the following areas:

• Modernisation has also brought a few progressive values such as humanism, egalitarianism, secularism etc. Our criminal law has been reformed. Evil customs like sati ended, Untouchability was abolished.
• The modern Western ideas have been successful in breaking the patriarchy and gender stereotyping existing in India. It has also reduced the differences existing due to the caste system.
• The use of technology e.g. social networking sites also provides a means for self-representation and formation of a collective identity through socialization. For instance, the acceptance of LGBT rights in India has a lot to do with the contact with the West.
• Indian values such as faith in ‘Karma’, democratic and secular ideals, pluralism, sustainable living, vegetarianism, etc. is gaining currency in the West as well.
• Indian philosophies such as Yoga and meditation, religious organisations such as ISKCON have attracted many in the west.

Conclusion:

Thus on the basis of above arguments, It can be argued that aggravated contact with the West has had a two-fold impact. The west has impacted India, as well as it also got influenced from Indian culture.