Are we traditional or modern

Ramesh K Raina
Before opening the discourse ‘‘what is traditional or modern” it may not be out of place to have a glimpse of the term ideology.
An ideology is a set of preconceived ideas which have the power of moulding the behaviour of a social system. In fact any social or cultural system functions on the basis of an ideology which that cultural system adopts and assimilates. As such an ideology becomes a paradigm for a culture to function smoothly. Ideology comes in many forms i.e traditional ideology or modern ideology. There are other ideologies like religious, economic, political ideologies et al.
To be traditional means not to change. In fact traditional ideology is a set of old beliefs which are transmitted from generation to generation through informal  learning. To be  traditional is to remain stagnant and adhere to its ideology in its true spirit. Traditional ideology has the capacity to keep the cultural system cohesive and in a harmonious equilibrium. It does not allow any eternal force to upset its balance. Traditional ideology has its own value system which helps to keep a social order in the cultural group.
To be modern is to change in its thinking and approach with change in time. In essence modern ideology is progressive in nature and it has the capacity to falsify and introspect and change for better and the best. This ideology believes in the dynamism and is looking for the welfare of mankind. Modern ideology is always in the process of paradigm shift. Modern ideology is associated with rationality legality, education based on proved facts and reason. Modern ideology is humanistic in its approach as it believes in social work, charity and philanthropic approach. Modern ideology believes in transparency, accountability and duty bound way  of life.
Anthropologists who study origin and development of cultures believe that every cultural society happens to be traditional at one or the other stage and no society can remain traditional as succession is the law of social dynamics.
Taking a  look at the European society which we see today a developed and modern society was not so before some centuries. It was in fact a society entrapped in a system of religious cults and beliefs. Church was in control of affairs of the society. Clout of theism was so strong that anybody who tried to enlighten the society with his new ideas was treated in the most cruel way. This struggle for enlightenment continued and ultimately European society evolved from a traditional society to a progressive and modern society. It became an enlightened society in which religion was separated from social institutions and secularisation emerged. Modern scientific approach dominated every sphere of life. Advancement in technology led to industrial mode of production and a new economic ideology emerged which superseded the old feudal system. So a new ambience was created which was based on enlightenment.
As far our Indian society is concerned, it is passing through a transition phase of evolutionary process. Our society at present is passing through a phase of identity and management crisis. It is in a state of dilemma. On one side people are under the unflinching influence of deeprooted traditional beliefs and customs.  On the other side modern ideology is trying to penetrate and influence every sphere of life be it social, economic, cultural or political, As such this is an immature phase in which people are struggling to adopt to the new ideology and to assimilate it. In fact people particularly of rural origin are finding it difficult to come out of the shackles of traditional ideology which has dominated our society for centuries together.
Our society is by and large dominated by religious and fatalistic belief and every social action is concerned of in terms of this belief system. People have not as yet developed a scientific temper. Beliefs like patriarchy, casteism, superstitions, ritualistic temper are deep rooted in the psyche of people. Concept of modern education like sex education, environmental education, civic education etc. is a remote concept for the people of  our society.
People of our society have not been able to embrace modern education in a liberal way. People put a stiff resistance to the introduction of sex education in schools  and colleges. Teachers find it very difficult to explain the students  sexual behaviour in an explicit way. It is still a taboo in our society. Birth control methods cannot be propagated and explained in minute details as there will be a backlash from conservative people.
People are not environmental conscious. They indulge in such activities that pollute the natural resources and render them unfit for human consumption. People have not understood the importance of these sources for human survival.
People have not been able to embrace legal education, which is an important component of modern ideology. In our society people do not consider, it a legal obligation to pay tax as per actual income and try to evade it by fudging the papers. People do not deposit electric fee as per specified load and do not follow the legality behind it.
Status of women in our society continues to be low according to UN human development report. Traditional mental barriers come in the way of bestowing desired status to women.
In modern ideology religion is viewed from the prism of social harmony. Rituals, religious functions unify people of a cultural group and it becomes a cohesive unit. But we see in our society religion has become a loot in the hands of few vested interests who vitiate the peaceful atmosphere of society.
An important question is then what have we changed for. Economic liberalization which is an important component of modern ideology has crept in our society. This has exposed people of our country to different cultures. Our society has become a consumption hub of the manufactured goods from outside. So a new life style has successfully penetrated in our society. People have embraced this life style blindly without knowing about the academic philosophy behind it. So people in the technical concept have adopted western style of life but have not become modern. People have embraced mechanical part of modern ideology but not its philosophy which is hardwork, frugal mode of living, entrepreneurship and other ethical codes. Instead people have only adopted hedonic western style of living like going to pubs, consuming alcohol, driving  new models, consuming junk food etc.
This discourse can be wrapped up with the remarks that we are not modern as yet although we have adopted western life style. In other words we have been influenced by westernization but not by modernization. We continue to be traditional in western life style. It will take time for us to adopt modern ideology and its humanistic values.

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