During my placement in India, I had the great fortune of living with a host family in a village in rural Rajasthan. On one of our many midnight talks, my host sister asked me anxiously “It must be hard for you to come into our village after living in such an advanced city. Does it not feel backward?”
I could see why she thought this. In terms ancient ideologies for example caste; the villages in rural India seem to embed them deeper into the next generation instead of changing perceptions on it. Technology seems around 20 years behind the urbanised areas for example New Delhi and what little road connectivity they do have is cluttered with scuttling sheep, goats and other livestock meandering to the fields.
Although the United Kingdom has advanced their urban and rural areas to the modernised standard unofficially dictated by western expectations, we have significantly regressed in a core value Indians and other Asian cultures sew intricately into their hearts: family.
At the forefront of every career and societal move, the interests and development of one’s family and community lies in abundance. The value on grandparents and elders in the community is paramount and reflected in the respect and honour they receive from children and adults alike.
Although patriarchal views still linger in-between feministic change, there has been a surge in women seeking employment in order to help provide their children with the best possible education and head start in their country, hence emphasising the zeal and commitment they feel towards their loved ones.
However, in western areas, our individualistic notions have begun to sever us from what matters most. With job demanding longer hours and more dedication from employees, UK citizens are spending less time with their family and living further apart from their loved ones; saving the reunions until major holidays such as Christmas.
Although the festivities have come to an end, try to hold on and strengthen your family and community ties. We should not be a nation that only advances in wealth and not the heart.
