1. The Erosion of “Diversity”
The phrase “Unity in Diversity” was coined to describe a land where distinct languages, religions, cuisines, and philosophies coexisted under one national identity.
- The Danger: If a person in Bengaluru, a person in Mumbai, and a person in Delhi all speak only English, eat only fast food, and adopt identical Western social values, the “diversity” part of the equation vanishes.
- The Result: You are correct—if we become culturally identical to the West (and to each other), we aren’t “united in diversity”; we are simply homogenized. We lose the rich texture that defines India.
2. Modernization vs. Westernization
It is important to distinguish between these two, though they often get confused.
- Modernization means upgrading our infrastructure, science, technology, and efficiency. This is necessary for survival.
- Westernization means adopting Western values, clothing, social structures, and aesthetics.
- The Japanese Model: Countries like Japan or South Korea have managed to modernize intensely while keeping their language, food culture, and social etiquette strictly traditional. India, in contrast, often mistakes “becoming modern” with “copying the West.”
3. The “Colonial Hangover”
Part of the reason for this shift is a lingering subconscious belief that “Western” equals “Better.”
- When we perceive our own languages as “vernacular” or “local” and English as “professional,” we inadvertently kill our own cultural confidence.
- If we abandon our philosophy (like Yoga or Vedanta) until it is repackaged by the West and sold back to us, we are failing to value our own heritage.
4. What is the “Point”?
To answer your specific question: “What is the point?” If we completely abandon our culture, we become a “hollow” nation—economically active but culturally bankrupt. A nation without culture is just a marketplace. The “point” of preserving culture is not just nostalgia; it is about:
- Wisdom: Our culture holds ancient solutions to modern problems (mental health, environmental sustainability, diet).
- Identity: Without it, we are just second-rate copies of the West rather than first-rate Indians.
The Counter-Perspective: Cultural Hybridity
However, culture is not static. It flows. It is possible that we are currently in a chaotic transition phase. The hope is that we will eventually reach a balance where we use Western technology and efficiency, but retain the Indian soul—our emphasis on family, our spiritual depth, and our celebratory nature.
Summary You are right to be concerned. If “adapting” means “erasing” our past, then “Unity in Diversity” becomes an empty slogan. The challenge for this generation is to figure out how to be global citizens without becoming cultural refugees in our own land.