Original by Dr. Steve Wong
July 18, 2023
During my business trip in June, I had the opportunity to visit Mumbai, Kolkata and New Delhi. I was invited to speak at a conference of the Indian Plastics Federation and the India Circular Economy Forum, where I shared my views on our industry. To prepare for the talks, I researched India’s living habits, languages, religions, and culture, and also compared India’s cultural history with that of China to understand why some developed countries can surpass nations with deep traditional cultures in development within a short span of 200-300 years. I share my understanding of India’s rich culture and history in the following paragraphs.
India has a long history dating back to more than 5000 years ago, which includes an ancient civilization, whereas China’s trace is 1600 years B.C. The essence of India’s culture is reflected in various aspects, such as religion, language, art, and philosophy. India is a multicultural country with many religious beliefs, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Islam, and diverse languages and script systems with over one thousand dialects. Sanskrit is India’s ancient literary language and is still in use today. India is well-known for its arts, architecture, colourful style, and exquisite craftsmanship. During my visits, I witnessed the diversity of languages spoken in different regions, although English is the most popular language which is limited to the educated population.
The lifestyle of India reflects its multicultural nature. Indians value family and community culture, similar to the Chinese. They respect their elders and always extend a warm welcome to them. Family gatherings play an essential part in their lives. Indian cuisines are famous for their rich tastes and multi-spices, and vegetarian food is also important. Although most Indians are not fond of meat, they tend to be overweight due to their high-carbohydrate diets. Traditional festivals and celebrations such as Holi and Diwali attract tourists to their grand celebrations.
During the colonial period, India was governed by the East India Company and the British Empire, which profoundly impacted India’s society, economy, and culture. British rule brought modern education, railway systems, and legal reforms to India and plundered the country’s resources and trade. Nevertheless, the colonial era also sparked Indians’ desire for independence, which was eventually achieved in 1947. Even today, we can see many office buildings left behind by the colonial government in Kolkata.
India faced significant challenges during rebuilding after independence, primarily due to its adherence to documentary procedures. However, with economic and social development efforts, India has achieved marked success in technology, I.T., and service industries, becoming a global leader in advanced technology and commercial centres. The middle-class sector continues to expand, gradually enhancing the country’s living standards. With the government’s emphasis on education and innovation, India has become a prominent participant in the global I.T. economy.
India’s 5000-year cultural history carries several unique and multicultural heritages. However, the country still faces challenges such as poverty, inequity, and infrastructure problems that must be resolved to become prosperous. This requires the joint efforts of the government, society, and its people to promote economic development. The recent shift of factories and service centres to India by developed countries presents a perfect opportunity for its development. India should improve its educational standards and promote social inclusion, efficiency, and fairness to facilitate growth and advancement. With its cultural treasures, India should adapt to social needs and blend traditional knowledge with modern innovation to become a rising star on the global stage.