Reconciling traditional ethos with the demands of modernization

By

Amar Nath Wadehra and Randeep Wadehra

Although it came into existence as a political entity on 1st November, 1966 Haryana has its roots in ancient history. Since pre-Vedic times people have been settling here as part of an evolving civilization, as is evidenced by various excavations in the region. With the coming of Aryans the Vedic Age dawned. Since then various tribes from different parts of the world, viz., Huns, Kushans, Mongols, Turks etc have been raiding the region and eventually settling down here – the major attraction being its fertile soil. Haryana is often referred to as the Gateway to North India. Be it Kurukshetra, Panipat or elsewhere several decisive battles have been fought on Haryana’s soil that have had lasting effect on the subcontinent’s fate. However, over a period of time Haryana’s political picture became chaotic thus impacting its societal mores. It was perhaps this instability combined with the faceoff among different invading tribes that a very conservative patriarchal culture evolved here over a period of time. This culture served well during the medieval times in preserving the ethnic-religious-cultural identity of the people of Haryana. But political instability and constant confrontations with Delhi as well as other political power centres kept the region comparatively unstable, poor and retrogressive.

However, since 1966 the state has been making impressive economic progress. The standards of living have been rising constantly. This prosperity has impacted the state’s cultural profile too. Before we proceed further let us be clear that the term “culture” includes a society’s beliefs, behavior, language… in fact its entire way of life including its intellectual and artistic achievements. Therefore, on the one hand, there are customs, traditions, ceremonies and various fine and performing arts and, on the other hand, there are inventions and other scientific and technological developments.

Interestingly, Haryanvis have exhibited admirable dynamism while adapting to ultramodern technological progress – including gadgets and techniques in the fields of agriculture, industry as well as services sector. But the social trends present a picture of contradictions. On the one hand is the almost proprietorial attitude towards women that is reminiscent of the medieval times, and on the other hand we find young Haryanvi lasses belonging to traditional middleclass families from rural areas and small towns excelling at the international level in such sports as wrestling, track and field sports as well as badminton with their respective men-folk, including brothers, fathers and husbands, playing supporting roles. The state is producing excellent women administrators and professionals in different fields and yet we find crimes against women spiraling. Obviously, the society is still in the process of reconciling its conservative ethos with the demands of modern times.  

Given their nature, it is inevitable in the lifecycle of a society that traditions, customs and beliefs (which find consistency, conformism and stagnation conducive to their sustenance) come into direct confrontation with technological and economic progress which thrive on avant-gardism, irreverence and pioneering. Consequently, progressive efforts pose a challenge to certain, though not all, traditional belief systems, thus creating a need for change in the perspectives – both at micro and macro levels. Ideally, there should be smooth adaptation and assimilation of new ideas and emerging lifestyles with the established ones. But, the ideal is seldom practical, thus giving rise to social stress that may result in political tension. The march of modernization process has to overcome various types of socio-cultural obstacles.

Haryana’s traditional belief systems and societal structures have been confronting the modernization trends – particularly in the last two decades during which there has been exponential increase in information technology. First television and now internet are penetrating the state’s rural areas exposing them to exotic cultures, avant-garde ideas and progressive precepts and practices. These have directly challenged the hitherto sacrosanct social traditions and institutions. One must admit that modernization is not an unmixed blessing nor are traditions an un

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