Mentor’s Comment:

• The question is about the swift evolution our culture is experiencing under the influence of Globalisation.
• In the intro, state how Globalisation is as much about trade as it is about culture and traditions and ideas.
• In the body, examine the influence of this phenomenon in detail. For instance, watching Hollywood movies reshape our thinking about our surround in more subtle ways than we think. The next big change that is more pronounced is the change in our language. 
• Changes in our food habits due to the introduction of food chain retails like McDonald’s and KFC. Changes in our sartorial habits- like wearing Jeans- have become part of our Newfound identity in India. 
• All of such changes are unlikely to be taken in positive by all the sections of society. So, there is a rise of a section in society that is opposing the Globalisation.
• Conclude by stating how this mingling of ideas and culture gave rise to the protectionist tendencies on the global level and led to the rise of populist leaders across the globe threatening the idea of Globalisation itself.

Answer:

Cultural identity is established on the core values shared in a living society. These values include language, dressing style, way of talking, habits and many others.

Globalization is the resultant of the interchange of worldly views, opinions and the various aspects of the culture everywhere around the world. It is often influencing our own culture to the extent that we are losing touch with the fundamental values of our society.

Evidence that Globalisation is leading to a loss of local identity

• Westernization of culture: meaning blindly copying the features of western culture and giving less importance to our own culture. Ex – celebrating Christian new year but the declining charm of traditional Indian new year(around April).
• Loss of local languages for English: Under the growing trends of converting culture in education and service-based economy, English education has developed rapidly at the cost of several vernacular languages.
• Loss of classical music for Pop and Jazz culture: The changing taste of music among Indian youth has put a question mark over the survivability of traditional classical music in India.
• Loss of moral education for advanced commercial education: The growing disorientation between morality and higher education is the greatest demolition of our identity.
• Degradation of the institution of marriage: The growing acceptance to the live-in-relationship has questioned the sanctity of the institution of marriage in our society. This represents the dominance of western culture and the Indian way of living.
• Changing the style of clothing: With the rise in corporate culture, the Indian dressing style has remained merely occasional stuff that too on cultural occasions only.
• Loss of traditional food choice: With the rise of chain restaurants and hotels, the food choice of Indian youth has inclined towards the Italian and Chinese fast foods. This has caused foods that are comparatively healthy and rich in nutrients.

However, despite the onslaught of global culture, local culture has been able to maintain its identity to a significant extent as seen from evidence such as:

• Indian festivals are now being celebrated all across the world: The most significant example is the Diya stamps issued by UNO to celebrate Diwali. Even a local religious festival of Chhath Puja is celebrated in Silicon Valley, USA.
• Observance of International Yoga Day on 21st June: This has popularized Yoga throughout the globe.
• Food habits: McDonald adapted to Indian style by including a vegetarian menu.
• Music: The fusion of Indo western music is a good amalgamation of Indian as well as western identity. Indian classical music is being liked all across the world and it is appreciated at Berklee school of music. SPIC MACAY, an NGO has promoted the Indian classical music and culture among youth across the world
• Joint family cycle reverting back to joint family,
• Increasing global tourists are visiting India to explore its rich cultural heritage.

Thus, culture is an ever-evolving entity that constantly changes through diffusion and amalgamation. Of course, we should embrace our cultural identity and values and it is our duty to preserve our cultural identity, however, globalization is not a matter to worry and infusion of global identity should be welcomed.