THE CHANGING FACE OF INDIAN FAMILY

Introduction

1. Family as a word has meant different meanings for different cultures but to an Indian it stands as stated below:-

Formidable
Adorable
Memorable
I – I
Love
You

2. The love provided is without any desire in return as it is an unconditional love. The word ‘family’ encompasses the warmth & aura of whole world in it.

3. As Indians since ages we are family oriented and are guided by Chinese animal ‘Horse’ which symbolises the family tendencies. An Indian is known world wide a family man due to the cultural bonding and upbringing by both the parents. This relationship is all the more developed due to our festivals like ‘Raksha bandhan’ which teaches our offspring’s the meaning of being a brother & sister and thus strengthening the walls of a family. Even our movies have also contributed to a great extent in making our society family oriented by virtue of its family based movies. The real face of Indian family is seen by the care & dedication shown by parents for its offspring and vice versa.

Cave family

4. A human being is family oriented as since its cave days a man has utilized a cave, gathered food, tendered his women and cared for his children and finally converted this unconditional love into a family.


Conversion of four Walls to Home

5. A four walled room becomes a home when the occupants of the room have unconditional love, warmth and support for each other and it is the wait, anxiety and the false projecting anger which can be seen when one of the members of the home gets delayed by a few minutes.

Evolution of Family

6. Family has evolved from it being a joint family system to a nuclear family system and it has its advantages and disadvantages which are being discussed in succeeding paras as breaking of joint family system is affecting each and every facet of human life in both positive & negative manner.

Joint Family System

7. Since times immemorial family is a bond which has guided the human being. The joint family system provided social, mental and economical security to all the members of the family; however restriction & inhibitions were the order of the day.

Nuclear family

8. The evolution & progress by industrial revolution has led to the disintegration of joint family system and it has its share of advantages and agonies which needs to be understood in a realistic manner.

Joint family Vs Nuclear family

9. If it was every Indian way than joint family system would have had continued as its inner inhibitions which does not allow the disintegration, however change is the spice of life and thus joint family system has to give way to Nuclear family in view of the enhanced aspirations and progress in life. So old order has changed for good & nuclear family is fast overtaking the joint family system. Even joint family run businesses are being handed over to professionals to enable it being run in a more enterprising competitive and productive manner.

Indian Army suffering due to Disintegration of Joint family system

10. It can be envisaged that the maximum impact is being caused to Indian Army due to disintegration of joint family system as now the soldier has to fight on two fronts i.e. enemy & home front. It is the mental anxiety about well being of its alone wife & kids which is taking its toll on Soldiers. However this problem is being addressed by creation of separated family accommodation for which adequate attention is being paid by army authorities and we as Indians are confident that the problems will be resolved in due course of time considering the tenacity of our soldiers being the finest in world.

Changing face of Indian family

11. Indian family has graduated and transitioned in a smooth manner from its joint family value cultures to nuclear family system. It is the demand of time to accept the change as disintegration has provided an impetus to economy. For e.g. post Dhirubhai Ambani’s death; Reliance shares were being quoted at around 541/- and the same shares after disintegration of its empire has sky rocketed to 1950/- in just 2 ½ years ; leave aside not even considering the additional shares allotted to shareholders due to creation of new companies & resources. This speaks of dynamism and faith of shareholders in the competence of Mukesh and Anil Ambani.

Don’t Cry Over split Milk

12. Lets accept the reality as it is the demand of time to let our offspring free as each nuclear family is like a Dhirubhai Ambani in making and will take our country to new heights. Our new generation is capable enough to take care of its older generation irrespective of fact that whether joint family system remains in vogue or not

Technology has transformed Indian family

13. Indian family is now using technology in form of telecom & internet and its services like yahoo messenger, Skype, web cam & IPTV etc to its fullest advantage by being in touch with its near and dear ones at low cost & thus making, the world all the more a close knit family. This usage of latest technology and gadgets has enabled transition from joint family system to nuclear family system all the more a smooth experience.

Conclusion

14. It can be aptly said that the changing face of Indian family has also changed the world perception about us as in my formative years as a son of a diplomat in London, the UK parents used to tell their children, “study else we will send you to India as punishment where you will due of hunger” & during my recent visit to London for a meeting; I heard this comment from a UK parent to his sibling; “study hard else all your jobs & works will be taken by these Indians”. I am glad such platonic shift has taken place & we have changed our image from snake catchers to a human resource force which has become a force to reckon with and world has started envying us.

15. It can be aptly said that India is widely accepted as being poised for greater world status due to the changing face of Indian family system where we have lapped up the good virtues of joint family system and incorporated the same in our nuclear family system to become a progressive society as we as Indians believe in Gita where its clearly stated that perform one’s actions.

Slain, you will obtain heaven;
Victorious you will enjoy earth;
Therefore, stand up, o son of Kunti,
Resolved to fight

16. Thus the changing face of Indian family has contributed to help India achieve a higher world status and she in turn has risen to occasion to accept the concomitant responsibilities that come with it and in turn she is being Known for its software Engineers, bollywood movie stars, literary giants and steel magnates etc.