# data[].attributes.body
For as far back as human history can go, India has always been a multicultural hotpot filled with diversity. Its rich culture has been developed with the introduction of many foreign influences shaping the country into what it is today. All the unique religions, traditions, beliefs and values formed the cultural customs of Indian society with the diversity of many ethnicities and regions making it a hotspot for many languages to form and take shape. Over the past couple hundred years and especially in the last 30 years, globalization has had a huge impact on India, initially through British colonization affecting trade and social order, and then the increase in accessibility of information, media with the economic prospects of TNCs influencing the increase in the use of the english language.

# data[].attributes.headline
Cultural Trait 1: Customs, affected by globalisation

# data[].attributes.subject
Cultural Trait 1: Customs, affected by globalisation

# data[].attributes.body
The influence of British customs on India began in the 1600s, and since then increased, with the establishment of the British East India company. The establishment solidified British control, allowing them to implement their rules and regulations from their country into India, introducing a new way of life to the locals and forcing them to adapt in order to cooperate and live along with the british. The introduction of western products and lifestyle through British trade would influence the beliefs of middle-upper class of Indians on social prestige, viewing new ways of living introduced by the british as exclusive and as a special class of social dominance.

India has been impacted by globalization in certain regions, despite it being so demographically massive with rich diversity. The influence of western culture through the introduction of the British since the 1600s establishing trade routes and economic control over the country allowed them to have strong influence on the middle-upper class Indian society in large economic centers. Through the introduction of western products, lifestyle and customs, it has driven the beliefs of having high social status if one has similar manners and values to the british. Since India is such a diverse country, the impact of globalization is not equal throughout, mainly visible in the economic centers along the coast and in the capital city. For example, the main economic hub of India which was also the core of the British Raj is Mumbai. Having all of the country's largest corporations as well as foreign TNCs such as Citibank, Deloitte, Google, Hyundai, etc. having offices in the city, its people are strongly exposed to western ways of living. Modern fashion in Mumbai is interconnected with British informal clothing, with the younger generation incorporating jeans with the girls wearing short skirts, with an increasing “number of Indian women seen in public places with their head showing bare. This was unimaginable over a century ago”(Chaudhuri). Wearing t-shirts and shirts has become extremely common clothing and taken as a norm in the country’s metropolitan cities. Another major shift in cultural customs is Arranged marriage, which has always been a tradition followed all over India, yet over the past 30 years it seems to be gaining less popularity. The majority of the young generation of Indians prefer to choose their husband/wife instead of having their family do it for them. How could over 2500 years of continuous tradition suddenly be declining within 30 years? Well, with the rise of media and easier accessibility of information, the young generation has been exposed to British social norms, where arranged marriage is completely unheard of, and thought to be bizarre, pushing a change in Indian society to grow and modernize allowing people to choose how they want to live their life.

# data[].attributes.headline
Cultural Trait 1: Customs, not affected by globalisation

# data[].attributes.subject
Cultural Trait 1: Customs, not affected by globalisation

# data[].attributes.body
Despite the British colonizing and controlling the Indian Subcontinent for hundreds of years, impacting the country’s economic and social structure, this was not evenly felt throughout the country as a large portion of the country were their own princely states indirectly controlled by the British who did not have a direct influence. Because of this, it allowed for preservation of cultural customs with traditional social order of that certain region without having any major foreign interference.

The British, who had an uneven amount of control over the country, did not manage to spread their culture properly in the princely states of the country. The princely states had their own leader and system of governance being deeply rooted with the culture of that specific region keeping the customs largely the same. This lack of western influence in such regions continues to show today, with clothing being heavily traditional and the cultural and social structures remaining relatively unchanged. Life in these areas are nowhere near as globalized as what would be seen in metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, due to the poor accessibility of information and much fewer or close to no foreign TNCs being based in these areas. This has prevented a lot of western influence especially from the UK from causing any change in their way of life, which would be seen as “backward” as compared to the highly culturally hybridized Mumbai. Examples of cultural preservation can be seen through folklore and traditional dances, for example in Rajasthan(with many princely states during British rule) with their folk dance, “Ghoomar” where women wear flowing large dresses covering their whole body to worship the hindu god Saraswati. This dance has been prevalent in the region for thousands of years, originating from the local “Bhili” tribe and is used as a cultural icon of the region. A lot of other traditional practices and beliefs also continue to thrive and be followed, with the “Ayurveda”, the ancient Indian medical system based on ancient writings with a  natural and holistic approach to physical and mental health. It is still widely followed and practiced despite modern medication and healthcare which is available in cities, in rural areas because of the lack of information and accessibility, the people rely on these ancient practices to deal with health issues which keeps Ayurvedic medicine, “one of India’s traditional health care systems”(“Ayurvedic Medicine: In Depth”) alive and still in use today.

Conclusion: With the highly westernized accepted customs of the Indian society in larger, more economically important cities, there is an even balance with local traditions and beliefs in the less modernized areas where ancient practices continue to happen.

# data[].attributes.headline
Cultural Trait 2: Languages, affected by globalisation

# data[].attributes.subject
Cultural Trait 2: Languages, affected by globalisation

# data[].attributes.body
Language is a huge and necessary part of Indian culture and history. It is the element that helps display the amount of diversity found in this region with 22 official languages and with over a hundred dialects being spoken throughout the country. This wide variety of languages is a key element of each region's culture and what keeps them alive. Through the introduction of western culture through the British, it has hampered the languages spoken in the country through the increase in use of English.

The familiarity with English for the majority of Indians comes second to their native language, although it is used as a medium in large metropolitan cities in the education, businesses and media from which more and more people are able to learn the language. Because the long connection with the Brits led to the spread of the English language especially in the large economic centers, it maintained its relevance throughout the years as it still provides the same benefits. In large cities in India, where people from all over the country come to live and work, there can be a language struggle. Although Hindi is the most common language with 43.6% of Indians understanding it, it is not well spoken by everyone especially in the South with other areas having their own languages too, allowing English to be the bridge to communicate with others. In metropolitan cities, another importance of knowing English is to connect with foreign business and TNCs to have businesses in India, which is why a number of TNCs are based in cities such as Mumbai because of the large number of English speakers. In Indian society, knowing English fluently is thought to help with gaining better education as well as financial prosperity as people are able to find better jobs in TNCs and larger globalized businesses. The benefits of English are recognized by Indian middle and upper class society, even recognised as the national language alongside Hindi, pushing for multilingualism with their regional language and English to use in a formal and professional setting. This mix of native languages and English over the years resulted in hybridization of the languages, with the use of few english words when talking in their native languages as it is seen as a way to represent your high class and education.

# data[].attributes.headline
Cultural Trait 2: Languages, not affected by globalisation

# data[].attributes.subject
Cultural Trait 2: Languages, not affected by globalisation

# data[].attributes.body
India takes pride in its diverse culture and views its languages as an extremely important element of what makes them who they are. Yes, the influence of English from the British has been significant and useful in economic prosperity, but the native languages will always remain the first choice and the most familiar language for almost all Indians.

Indians greatly respect and value local traditions and religious beliefs, and language represents a “unique culture, customs, and traditions, providing insight into India’s heritage”(Harsha). When talking with another person from the same background as them, they will always talk in the common native language, as it is what comes natural to them. For the ones who were born and grew up in India, the local language will always be their first language. English is viewed as a secondary language to the majority of Indians, to be used to talk when the other person doesn’t speak their language, or if in a professional and formal setting. Even for the ones living abroad, even though English is the medium to communicate with others, at home it will almost always be in the native language. The government recognises the importance of keeping languages alive, with the rise in “globalization and the increasing popularity of English as a lingua franca threaten the vitality of indigenous languages”(Harsha). Government initiatives, language institutes and non-governmental organizations have been implemented to try and continue to conserve the lesser known languages.

Conclusion: The English language has definitely transformed how Indians in metropolitan cities interact and communicate, helping in businesses, education and media. This provides opportunities for TNCs to set up offices and operations, and helps Indians learn more about British and American culture. With benefits of helping Indians gain importance internationally, the people are careful of watching out for its potential to erode our diversity, by still communicating in their native languages and taking action to preserve lesser known languages and the culture which it is tied with.

# data[].attributes.body
After looking at the customs and language aspects of India’ culture, is globalization causing the country to become monotonous? There is an undeniable influence that The UK has had on India through the hundreds of years in colonialism continued to today, as explained in the paragraphs above, which have changed the metropolitan regions of the country into looking a lot more familiar with western metropolitan cities. Despite the effect globalisation has had in these areas, majority of the rest of the country remains unchanged, with the same traditional culture it always has had for thousands for years. Even in metropolitan cities like Mumbai, majority of the people still have the same traditional values and beliefs but have hybridized it with the new products and social order brought in from the UK. In conclusion, India has been, to a limited extent, affected by globalisation as the people have incorporated certain british customs and systems hybridized with local culture and beliefs creating a wonderful mix of Indian culture with British elements.