Alteration in thought process of generations …

(Source-getty images)

The time with its pace brings so many changes in the thought process of people at large. It’s like shifting of paradigm in thoughts. This alteration in mind set may be of any kind, i.e. either of positive or negative. Although, our Indian social system in general has traversed through so many changes in respect to so many aspects of life. But, here I am focusing upon about only two major changes. On these points our Indian society has been so blatant or explicit. The reason behind is, these changes are part of the process of passing through an experience of life and accepting of truth. Otherwise also, this strength too is being backed by the proliferation of education, entrepreneurship oriented achievements and in all the the ” self – confidence” generated by all these factors.

                                                               The culture four decades ago

These changes are paradigm of shifting from Negative to Positive attitude. The first significant change of mental set-up from negativism to positivism has got its roots, in its first phase, runs back about four decades ago. That were the time, when Indian society majorly consisted of lower class, lower middle class ( in abundance)   and some part of its consisted of middle class meagerly. The means of employment were either government job or skilled or unskilled vocation and petty trades. At that period of time, the public purchasing power too was at its margin level. If frankly assess the situation of the society, a big portion of the society were either ” below the poverty line” or ” at par with poverty.”

At that time, to own the homely appliances like TV, refrigerator, LPG connection was a big criteria of social status, leave apart the land line phone connection. The land line phone connection amenity was considered the privilege of upper class only. Though, apparently a good number of family seemed to be in possession of the above said home appliances. But despite of having all this,  the financial condition of these families were not so stable. In true sense, it was a faltering financial position.The another fact was, despite owning all these with faltering situation, no one opted to take himself as a “poor man.” In that era, if you address some one as a poor man, it was enough to make him furious.

                                                                            New Reforms

The term “poor” tagged as such, was considered as a “disgrace.”  Though, this deportment might be considered as as guarding off “self-dignity.” But, in fact, he was a poor man, “not agreed” to admit that. In last four decades, the Indian Society witnessed a revolutionary change. People became the part and parcel of of significant changes brought through privatization and globalization. They experienced and got benefited through rapid technical reforms and industrial development, as participants. These reforms offered people new fronts of opportunities in shape of “higher education, self entrepreneurship and computerized revolution.” Along with, Multinational companies stepped into the Indian market exploring the various fields, and side by side providing professional and vocational opportunities to people.

These opportunities helped to orient a ” strong middle class.” This strong middle class had emerged up from the same stratum, once identified as ” lower middle class.” Again, from this ” strong middle class”, a good number of people succeeded  to jump into ” Upper class and Elite class.” Still, this process is on and supposed to continue for long time to come.

The first ever change of “shifting of paradigm in thought,” I talked of, at the inception of this blog was related to this “new influencing class.” This influencing class, on achieving a strong stable financial position, now candidly admits that they have attained this position by overcoming their poverty.  This mentality did not existed long back about thirty or forty years ago. At that time, people were poor, but “agreed not” to admit that. Now, they openly admit of overcoming of their poverty level. This “mental set-up” is great sign of “positivism.” This also helps to put a restraint upon their supposed feeling of abhorrence towards people, who still are at lower most stratum of poverty line.

                                                                    Another significant change 

The next worth noticing change our social system experienced is, at that old period period time, our society was infested with conservative thinking. Our Indian social system has ever been a multi-strata social system. We can take it as a “badly caste-ridden community.” It has got a labyrinth of castes and sub-castes. For example, our Hindu system majorly been divided int to four major Verna ( classes) as Brahamin (teacher), khsatirya (Warrior), Vaishya ( business community)  and Shudra (working community of lower order). In these all classes we find thousands of castes and sub castes. And every main caste consider herself ” genteel” and others “not so genteel.” This situation prevails in every Verna. An egotistic approach of ” caste excellence” ever existed there.

Apart from, if in every Verna or caste, if some one had been with strong financial position, he ever was given to despises others as demean and debase with weaker status. Despite the fact, the weaker person was his consanguineous relative. That was the time, a man with weaker financial status was made to feel and realize himself as a poor repeatedly. Perhaps, this was the cause, no one in that told period ” agreed not” to take himself as as a poor and got incensed.

                                                     Caste excellence displayed in contemptuous way

Not only this, the caste excellence too were displayed by emphasizing humiliating and insulting terminology to other less sub caste people. It was simply on purpose to torture the man stood before. But after this long journey of four decades, our society has progressed to a ” sagacity level.” Now people generally don’t torture on these issues. I am talking of general phenomenon, barring some exceptions of perverts. Today, man does’t address bitterly or contemptuously with other people, as his fore fathers did long ago. If he is bound to point out some flaws in some one, he criticizes him in a milder and comprehensive way. It’s a criticism tinted with intellect, not as a reproof.

all these changes are are ‘out put’ of educational proliferation and experiences gained on hard rock. This helped make him to extend  a respect to ” self-dignity” of others. Be that person of whatever lower status. This is somehow a remarkable sign of a progressive society. Penned by — Vinay Pharasi …..