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| Questioning the term moderen | | | Mousumi kalita | 1/9/2012 11:37:07 PM |
| We feel immense proud in terming ourselves as 'modern'. However, to be fair and square, are we really heading towards modernisation or falling prey to the western culture? I would never say 'wrong' to have fancy to western thoughts; but, don't we need to be modern at heart before embracing the west culture? Inspite of reaching the 21st century, we are yet killing our heads in many old superstitious beliefs. Then, are we indeed prepared for the post modern world?
Although we have greatly progressed in every field of science and technology, we are still not able to burry down many irrational beliefs and practises. Few days back a friend of mine sounded as if in low spirits while talking to her on phone. Being asked, she uttered she could not stop herself from sneezing at the time while her brother was about to go for an important work. At first, I could not make head and tail out of her statement, as there was no such reason to eat her heart out in despair. When she explained me the fact that 'sneezing' is considered to be an impediment and curb in front of someone who is about to move out from home; I realized how much modern are we at heart. A well educated girl belonging to a well educated family is unable to break the bars of superstitions. The whole incident urged me to delve deep into this matter and I found we are not yet free from the age old superstitious practises. The very evening I came to know that people here prefer going to 'tantriks' and 'babas' first when severely ill rather than visiting a doctor. Having talked to another of my local friend, my eyes widened to here that the new born babies suffering from even cold and cough are taken to the feet of the so called witch doctors. When a baby is uncomfortable, the family members especially the old guardian in the house blame and curse the crooked and keen sight of the outsiders terming it to be the effect of the outside air. If we observe deeply, this belief cannot be said unacquainted by many and infact it is seen prevailing in every part of India. In trying to overprotect our child we generally tend to believe in such talks. We still find people stopping their vehicle for a while if a black cat crosses the road. In another case I remember one of my relative stopping me from plucking tulsi leaves which I wanted badly for a cup of tea to help me from extreme cold. The reasons were that being a girl I am not approved to pluck leaves from the tulsi plant which everybody consider to be holy and ofcourse for me it has an additional quality of medicinal herb; and secondly it was the time in the evening. So, I had to sacrifice my need for the Holy plant.
Today, with the progress of science and technology, with the advancement of new look and modern thoughts, people are undoubtedfully accepting the western outfits, maintaining nuclear families, broadly accepting coeducation and many western practises. But under this western outfit we are unable to strip off our old typical Indian superstitious beliefs. Gradually we are failing to preserve our precious moral culture and civilization in trying to adopt western culture and yet we are at times unable to wipe off the superstitious beliefs. Though the percentage of people favouring the old beliefs in the metros is definitely less as compared to the villages and small towns, nevertheless we see a flavour of superstition in every Indian. The busy schedule in the metros do not provide much time to put their heads deep into such practices; however our eyes cannot escape spotting even the mosts high-tech vehicle hung with lemon and red chillies in front. Even the great and gravid shops and stores of highly technical items such as computers, laptops, iPods and many more welcome customers with the lemon and red chillies decorated in the front door. So, is the modern technology totally successful in making our minds and hearts 'modern'?
Are we not in trying to be modern knowingly or unknowingly jumping into the western well ? Do we really understand the meaning of "being modern" or modernisation and westernisation? Is it possible for us to escape from the web of superstitions with life and limb? It is the twenty first century and we are heading towards the post modern world. It is high time to bring a change in ourselves and in our thoughts. My intentions are not to touch anyone in the raw, rather an attempt to lay the lamp of reality and progress. People are planning to reside in moon and mars and it is no more the time to wait and see for miracles after seeing the shooting star. Let us accept the modern age and look deep into ourselves and decide, "Are we modern or just an anthropoid of west?" |
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