Globalization of business through the proliferation of the technology has truly broken down barriers and has changed the world’s playing field. The emergence of fast food culture, malls, and supermarkets is especially seen in Asia in countries like India where the architectural, social, and religious landscapes are changing faster than the blink of an eye. The growing trend of imported architecture and culture in many indian cities has created an almost bizarre urban landscape of trademark retail stores and multinational office buildings alongside traditional temples, restaurants, and local customs. In some highly westernized areas, one almost feels as if indians are not allowed there since it is for the international elite. Are countries like India being sold again to an invisible international force that is creating its own image and stamp on everywhere it goes? How are older and more traditional inhabitants coping in this new landscape?
The real question is what is the meaning of country, nationality, and ethnicity in this new multinational, technological landscape? Is the world trying to merge into one, unidentifiable, meaningless mass of data and culture based on one ideological norm? What is wrong with diversity and freedom of choice? Today more than ever, the pressure is being directed towards this borderless virtual plane that defies traditional notions of family, language, and identity. Everything is up for sale and including our souls as corruption enables anything to be bought in developing countries.
As it is often misstated, imperialism was never destroyed by wars and independence is another word for codependence. We are all just addicts to the money relying hearts whose minds are infected and even triple bypass surgery can’t save.
