To be at the cross roads is not only the prerogative or predicament of an individual, it is also the natural right or rigor of a society. Where the changes or metamorphosis that result from interaction, adaptation and assimilation is for good or for worse, is nobody’s monopoly to forecast with certainty, the Indian society, with its varied shades of cultural contours, civilization, colours, beliefs, faith, cannot remain immune to the influences that are either indigenous or imported.
Earlier, the march of events and their impact on the Indian psyche was slow, sometimes dead slow, but now, with globalization setting the agenda and satellite television churning out round the clock programmes, the changes in the Indian society are highly perceptible.
As members of a vast and vigorous Indian society, we know culture and values are matters of identity of a race and civilization and not matters of commerce, which could be allowed to be exposed. If the Indian society has survived the hard knocks and kicks of the past, it only shows that its heart is at its proper place, and its senses and sensibilities are strong enough to absorb the shocks that time and tide administer, more often than not.
Having experienced paradoxical periods of ups and downs in its long history, the Indian society, though sensitive to the emerging trends and tendencies, has always remained steadfast in its inherent strength; worldly wisdom and spiritual solace. Whenever it finds itself at the crossroads, it seldom fails to play the right card and mold itself to the temper of the times.
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When Gandhiji appeared on the political scene. Indian society welcomes home with open arms and took the momentous decision to take on the mighty British Empire under: guidance.
On the fateful midnight of August, 15, 1947 when Nehru talked of ‘India’ tryst with Destiny’, the Indian society joined him and other luminaries in adopting democracy as the political hall – mark and: socialism as the economic goal of our perceptions and practices, the winds of change began to blow the other way, the Indian sock readily read and readjusted itself to the global economic environment liberalization and market economy.
At every critical moment of cha and challenge, the Indian society was seldom found wanting in striking the right chord on the most relevant and resonating instrument of political philosophy and economic pragmatism.
Over the years, on the Indian societal scenario, the passage progressive legislations like the Hindu Succession Act, Termination ( Pregnancies Act, Anti-Dowry Act, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, etc have enabled the Indian society to come out of the dark shadows of rig mindsets and feel free to think and act in harmony with the change patterns of life the world over.
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As a result of science and technology, if momentum of development has upset a few social apple-carts, we should take things as they happen because they are the natural consequences certain causes in operation.
Undoubtedly, the Indian society has been on the move sir independence. Knowing full well that there is always ‘a tide in the affairs of men’ it must resolve to ride it and reach the moon. It has no choice but to act with acumen and alacrity and occupy its rightful place among: comity of other societies. The time to take important and momentous decisions is right now because time and tide wait for none’.
One is course, always amazed, for better or for worse, at India’s capacity for reinvention.