According to the convergence thesis put forward by modernisation theorist Clark Kerr, an industrialised India of the 21^st century shares move freatures with China or the United States in the 21^st century than it shares with 19^th century India. Do you think this is true? Do culture, language and tradition disappear with new technology or does culture influence the way people adapt to new products? Write a page of your own reflections on these issue, giving examples.

Answer

(i) Yes, we agree with the conclusion and convergence thesis put forward by modernisation theorist Clock Kerr, that an industrialised India of the 21^st century shares more features with China or the United States of America in the 21^st century than it (i.e. India) shares with 19^th century India.

(ii) India was very backward as far as modern industrialisation of the 19th century was concerned. Only the (colonial government) India was industrialised in a few industries and a very few areas were industrialised. India became free country in 1947. After the gap of nearly more than 120 years India has progressed by leaps and bounds in the fields of most industries. The latest technological advancement and methodology has been applied by most of the multinational corporations, foreign industrialist as well as progressive Indian industrialist India is likely to enter in the list of most advance ten countries of the world.

(iii) I also agree that culture, language and tradition change with new technology. People adopt foreign culture, language, way of living, eating, dresses and means of transport and communication. For example, India has become the largest consumer of modem information technology. Means of transport are drastically advancing ahead. Metrotrains are being introduced in several cities of India. Under flies and overflies are being constructing day and night India participating in globalisation and liberalisation.