“I know, to achieve the vision of Digital India, the government must also start thinking a bit like you (Silicon Valley).”
—Narendra Modi
“We will cleanse every area of public discourse that has been westernised and where Indian culture and civilisation need to be restored—be it the history we read, our cultural heritage or our institutes that have been polluted over years.”
—Mahesh Sharma, MoS for culture, Government of India
If there is one characteristic that can define India since 1991, it is the fundamental disjunction between the scientific-technical and the economic on the one side, and the ethical/moral and the social/public good on the other. The latter are sacrificial lambs at the altar of a neo-liberal, market-led model of development that can be essentially termed as technicism. In this conception, development is merely reduced to economic growth and progress in science and technology rather than a broader understanding of human or planetary well-being. Of course, science itself is not pursued for its revolutionary implications, while technology is merely a panacea for practical needs. Both are seen in a vacuum, quarantined from social contexts.
While this tendency is not unique to India, under the present Narendra Modi-led regime, it acquires a radically new feature. Technicism is married to a virulent and aggressive cultural agenda. A Digital India is sought to be ushered in, but premised on the revival of the great Hindu civilisation. The attempt to reach the pinnacle of economic and scientific development is accompanied by the project of cultural “cleansing”. But development and culture mirror each other—in yoking culture to technicism, culture itself becomes mechanical, losing its vitality.
This story is from the October 12, 2015 edition of Outlook.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 12, 2015 edition of Outlook.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Man Who Shot Deewaar
Most of Yash Chopra's iconic films, including Deewaar, Kabhi Kabhie and Silsila were shot by the prolific Kay Gee
Acting Away Oppression
Virendra Ganvir uses theatre as a medium to confront the societal inequalities associated with manual scavenging
Bonding with the Bonds
The revelation of donor-recipient connections in electoral bonds may cause discomfort to the BJP-the biggest beneficiary. But many others are looking for cover, too
"We need ideas, patience, and hope"
Over the last few years, several human rights organisations have been demanding the release of former Delhi University professor Gokarakonda Naga (G N) Saibaba. On March 5, 2024, the Bombay High Court acquitted Saibaba along with Hem Mishra, Mahesh Tirki, Vijay Tirki, Prashant Rahi, and Pandu Narote.
The Iron Harvest
The farming community has always been given great significance when it comes to poll promises and manifestoes. But many of their issues have never been resolved
The Young and the Restless
Nearly two crore young voters will cast ballots for their next government this year. One of their major issues - unemployment
The Female Factor
Female voters are set to outnumber male voters by the 2029 Lok Sabha elections in India. Yet, the number of women in the political domain remains woefully low
The Politics of New Castes
With the Prime Minister announcing the poor, women, farmers, and the youths as new caste categories, it would be interesting to see its impact on the upcoming General Elections
The Runaway Groom
Tribal communities in the country have had interesting and unique wedding customs, but most have gone extinct with time
Truly Traditional
As the trend of lavish five-day weddings becomes the norm, many are going back to the roots to revive lapsed traditions