Effects of Globalisation on Indian Society

Globalisation is the process in which countries, companies and governments worldwide are open to interconnect and interlink. It means that the countries are interdependent and any action by one country will affect the events of another country as well. These events can be Technological, Environmental, Educational as well as economic in nature. Globalisation has also affected the perception of Indian youth and its women.

Globalisation can be termed as an open economy in the country which involves four factors that are Producer, Consumer, Government and rest of the world. The latest version of Globalisation is 4.0, with former versions being Globalisation 1.0, Globalisation 2.0, and Globalisation 3.0. The first ever globalisation is said to be Columbus’ voyage in 1492.

Effects of Globalisation on Indian Society:

Many areas were affected by globalisation in both aspects, positive as well as negative. This article covers some of the major areas affected by globalisation in India.

1. Indian Economy and Globalisation:

 Positive Effects:

• Availability of a wide-variety of products available at lower prices for Indian consumers. This leads to buying more products leading to an increase in GDP.
• Growth rate of GDP of India has increased since the 19th century to the 20th century. 
• In India, There is an increment in foreign direct investment and foreign institutional investors after globalisation.
• The greater flow of data all around the world helped people to overcome various barriers like language, culture etc. which helped in improving the Indian Economy as people are more aware about proper investments.

Negative Effects:

• Agricultural sector contributes a large part in the Indian economy. Agricultural sector has been ignored by the Government of India which has deteriorated its share from the Indian economy. 
• Private sectors’ jobs did increase after Globalisation but one drawback of the private sector is that it does not provide benefits like job security or social security like public sectors.
• Unemployment has increased with time because of adopting capital intensive methods instead of labour intensive methods.
• Economic disparities/differences have increased after the expansion of globalisation.

2. Technology and Globalisation:

Positive Effects:

• Technology has become an impertinent part of our lives. This makes our life easy and smooth. Upgradation and innovation of technology has helped numerous people all around India. 
• As we know that India has the best banking system through which people can have access to their bank accounts online. They can even buy and pay online for various products while sitting at home. 
• The flow of information helps in various aspects like awareness of a particular culture, values people hold in different states etc. This helps in resolving chaos in different parts of India.
• Poverty has deteriorated due to technological advances such as digital India, hence more people are employed and are working hard to get above the poverty line.

Negative Effects:

• People can misuse the machines which leads to the negative effects of globalisation.
• People are dependent on technology and don’t want to do things on their own. This had resulted in people being lazy and sick.
• Cultural homogeneity is increased as people prefer cheap multinational companies’ products instead of cultural preferences in India.
• India is a low-labour cost country. In India most of the low skill labour jobs are and have been replaced by the machines. This has led to severe unemployment.

3. Environment and Globalisation:

Positive Effects:

• Environment is the main factor for influencing globalisation as the resources needed by the companies are available in the environment. The abundant resources in India have given a boost to the economy, technology, society etc.

Negative Effects:

• In India, It has led to pollution and depletion of resources like freshwater, ozone layer, soil etc.
• Globalisation is also one of the major causes of global warming in India because all the dirt by companies is disposed of in the environment.
• Globalisation is one of the direct causes of soil erosion, deforestation, water and air pollution etc.

4. Education and Globalisation:

Positive Effects:

• In India, due to globalisation students can learn various skills like advanced language skills. They can even participate in international competitions around the world.
• Globalisation has led to the growth of Indian students by serving them with various opportunities worldwide. They can learn from different universities around the world and have deep knowledge about any subject.
• Indian students gained a global perception in various fields like economic, social, political etc.
• Literacy rate became higher after globalisation in India.

Negative Effects:

• Due to Globalisation in India, Education has become a business and students are treated as customers.
• Globalisation has staked up the competition for students in India as well as for the education system in India. Students are pushed to unnerving pressures as now they have to compete globally.
• Globalisation has affected the traditional values and ethics of Indian education. 
• It is nearly impossible for students coming from a destitute background to avail education in foreign countries.

5. Women and Globalisation:

Positive Effects:

• Due to globalisation feminist movement has spread in India. Women in India are now more vocal about their ideas. The current wave of feminism(4th wave) has instilled in women a need to seek equality. “Me-too movement” has spread in India as well which has led to the prevention of discrimination at work place. Attitude of women living in urban areas has shifted which can be seen through inter-caste marriages, single mothers and live-in relationships.
• Now women have more opportunities as Globalisation brought in more companies into India. Women can be seen developing an entrepreneurial attitude with them setting out of their private spaces to earn a living. 
• Even in rural India women’s self confidence has increased and they are fighting for their rights with the help of numerous non-profit organisations.

Negative Effects:

• One of the biggest issues modern women in India are facing is the dual responsibility thrusted on working women. Globalisation has done nothing to alleviate the domestic responsibilities of working women.

6. Youth and Globalisation:

Positive effects

• Globalisation has led to a cultural change in the present day youth. Youth today are embracing western culture in their Indian identity. This is leading to the hybridization in Indian values and western culture.
• Youth in India is wanting to see changes in religion. They are merely tolerating orthodoxical ideas though many of them do find some value with the religion.

Negative effects

• Urban youth in India is facing a high level of unemployment because most of these youths have moved from rural areas to the urban areas in search of jobs. These youths to sustain a living, live in a pressurised and stressed economy.
• In India youth are not close to their grandparents or other relatives as they were in the earlier generations. Globalisation has led the current youth to move away from joint family institutions resulting in wisdom loss which is usually handed down by people from older generations.

Way Forward:

A need for sustainable Globalisation is required. Globalisation did leave a positive impact on various sections of Indian Identity but it also moved people away from their roots. Now People are more Individualistic, have more freedom, have better technologies, but a loss in the Indian value system can definitely be observed. Globalisation is the way forward, but it should be kept in mind that the Indian value system is not compromised.