Since a last few months, some of the leading national dailies are writing repeatedly about the changing social culture (or lack of it) and a drastic shift in value systems; I have been getting a chance to interact about these issues with close ones within and outside India, so, thought of adding a few points.
In today’s world modernization for some people means-
- Doing things are antithesis to basic human values
- Seeking relationships without commitment or responsibility
- Deriving momentary pleasures without thinking of the effects
- Doing things that others do to be tagged as 'modern'
- Peer pressure
- Lack of communication with immediate family
- Lack of emotional support especially from family
- Lack of self esteem
- Loss of values
- Endless desires
- Loss of one’s dignity and self-respect
- Frustration
- Further fall in self esteem
- Unending guilt
These effects could be life threatening. Recently, The Economic Times reported of a mishap that was a consequence of misuse of a social networking site in the USA. The case was- a teenage girl received nasty comments on her pictures by some of her so called friends on that site. Such was the implication of those comments that the girl committed suicide and lost her life. This mishap is not just a case of misuse of social networking websites, but also an example of all the points mentioned above.
Haven’t we seen a lot of Page 3 people ending their lives like this? Though they have all the fame and riches, live beyond the social barriers, yet they go into deep depression and end their lives. Why? Because there are things other than name, fame, money, glamour and short term pleasures. These are- true love, emotional strength, courage, family support, self esteem and confidence in all situations, last but most important, spirituality. If ones value systems are strong and communication within the family is sound, one cannot go astray in any kind of situation or peer group.
Modernization means advancement and not degradation of one’s values. A few examples of advancement-
- Using a mobile medical van for checking patients and distributing medicines in the remote villages
- Having uninterrupted help line telephones/ call centres for emergencies
- Free education portals
- Reconnecting with near and dear ones across the globe at almost zero cost (I could reconnect with a close friend after 2 decades through one such site:))
- Using a plethora of information on the internet for the benefit of oneself and others
Values are something that make us a true human being and help in refraining from doing those things after which we are left with a sense of guilt or resentment. So let’s be modern in the real sense with our values intact.
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