Society GS Paper I by Smriti Rao

Model Answer

Question #1. Globalization has made revolutionary changes in the family structure of India-a total break from the continuity of the past. Comment.

Approach:

• The question requires the analysis of Globalization and its effects on family structure
• The demand of the question is to explain the changes made by globalization in the Indian family structure
• In intro define Globalization and family
• Then elaborate on the changes made by globalization in the Indian family structure and mention things which still continue
• Conclude, by suggesting way forward

Hints:

Globalization is a process of interaction and integration among the people, companies, and governments of different nations, a process driven by international trade and investment and aided by information technology.

A family is a group of two or more persons related by birth, marriage, or adoption who live together; all such related persons are considered as members of one family.

Features of the family of the past

• Joint family
• Largeness in size
• Owning of joint property
• Sharing of common residence and mutual rights and obligations
• Family oriented business/occupation
• Traditional hierarchies in family

Globalization has made revolutionary changes in this realm and these changes are a break from past

• Small or nuclear families replacing the joint family
• Increasing mobility of younger generation in search of employment is a break from caste/family based occupations
• Traditional hierarchies in the family are affected too. Younger generation demands more liberty and freedom and does not believe in total surrender of their individual interests to family interests.
• Family ties are becoming weak due to globalization and individualism is growing.
• Family involvement in finding a groom / bride is reduced to nominal. Younger generations are resorting to sites like Shadi.com, Bharat Matrimony for finding partners..

Despite the above changes some things continue like:

• Marriage is not merely a social contract. It is still a sacrament.
• Social evils like child marriage, dowry system, and domestic violence are still prevalent.
• The LGBTQ community, divorcees, single mothers, etc., are still viewed as low in society.

Conclusion

Although there is a marked increase in nuclear families, there are still some factors pushing the traditional joint family system. The institution of joint family is gaining prominence with urbanization as urban rising living cost is again giving push to joint family. The bargaining role power of family due to self-employment, acting reference is bounding individuals to the kinship group. However, due to penetration of technology connectivity with extended kins has improved.  So, the role of family although diversified but family as an institution in India is still present with different forms.

Question #2.“India is a museum of cults and sects, creeds and cultures, faiths and tongues.” Elucidate. Are diversity and pluralism in India under threat due to globalization?

Approach:

• The question is straightforward. It demands to highlight the dimensions of diversity in India that is historical, geographical, cultural diversities.
• The second part of the question has a critical tone which focuses on defining the challenges or threats associated with pluralism in India due to globalisation.
• In the introduction, give a brief introduction about what you understood by Diversity in India. If some relevant example is present, quote it in the intro or mention the sayings of some leaders.
• Conclude on the lines that India is more like a continent than a country, in terms of the diversity of its peoples.

Hints:

India is a land of vast diversity. This diversity is manifested in the form of culture, food, clothing, festival, languages, caste, and religion. Despite this fact, India has maintained its unity in diversity.

Various dimensions of diversity:

• Historical factors:
• “The greatness of India lies in its tolerance and capacity to absorb diverse people, culture and religions, even from a foreign land “- M. Gandhi
• Multiple invasions during ancient India [huns, shakas, indo-greek, etc] and during medieval India [Arabs, Turkish, etc] have helped shape the current picture of diversity in India.
• Apart from foreign invasions, the emergence of various philosophical schools in India itself led to a multiplicity of beliefs, cultures, and religions. For eg: shramana, Shaivism, Buddhism, etc.
• Freedom movement united India politically (INC, press) and economically (railways, post) and created a basis for social unity

Religious diversity

•   In the religious sphere, India possesses a great diversity. India is a multi-religious country. Religion is both a factor of unity and diversity in Indian society. But, all are differentiated internally. There are six major religions in India, namely Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism and Zoroastrianism

Cults and sects:

•   Cult' is a denomination given to a certain group of people who share similar beliefs and follow similar customs. India has various cults such as Aghoris, a group of Shaiva sadhus, Naga Sadhus, Nihang Sikhs, etc.  Similarly there are numerous sects in India. For example Hinduism has four major sects – Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism. Among Muslims the sects are Shia, sunni, ismaili. Buddhism has sects such as Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, etc.

• Cast:
• Caste is the most important social concept in Indian society. It has continued for thousands of years and has not confined itself to Hinduism and has percolated itself to other more egalitarian religions like Islam, Christianity, and Sikhism.
• Linguistic:
• Languages spoken in India belong to several language families. Languages being spoken include Marathi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, etc.
• Cultural:
• Cultural patterns reflect regional variations. Because of population diversity, there is immense variety in Indian culture as it is a blend of various cultures.
• Different religions, castes, regions follow their own tradition and culture. Thus, there is variation in art, architecture, dance forms, theater forms, music, etc.

Impact of globalization on Diversity and pluralism in India:

Positive impact:

• Broke the iron-clad rules of caste, religion, and patriarchy.
• Because of globalization's impact, India got exposed to modern and rational thoughts. Thus, we started questioning our own system of caste-based society and discrimination.
• Variety in food: Due to the influence of western culture, Indian taste buds got to experience new flavours and cuisines from various cultures and land.
•  Spread of our own traditions and practices in western countries: Spirituality, Yoga, Ayurveda, meditation are some of the examples which are becoming popular in Western countries.
• Thus, enlarging the diversity of our culture in distant lands.

Negative impact:

• Impact on our traditional culture and festival:
• Example Navratri: Earlier the festival was celebrated to worship the goddesses Durga and it was the real gathering of various communities in a single place.
• Due to western influence, the essence and traditional touch of the festival have been lost in the form of commercialization of the celebration. Like passes for entry into pandal, non-veg food under the roof, western songs during Garba, etc
• Language: 
• Many traditional languages [especially tribal] are lost in recent times.
• More Focus is there on learning new foreign languages, like English, Spanish, French, etc
• Attire and clothing:
• Indo western style is the new form of dressing.
• In this race, the traditional touch and clothing pattern has started losing sight.
• Food:
• With the coming of continental food, our traditional cuisines and dishes have been lost somewhere.
• Many traditional dishes of our ancestors are wiped off from our memories and kitchen.
• Similar faith can be seen in terms of folk dance, songs, and paintings or art and architecture.

Conclusion:

India is more like a continent than a country, in terms of the diversity of its peoples and the scale of its diversity. The impact of Globalization can be seen on many fronts, but it is the beauty of this nation to keep the essence of diversity intact.