Globalization effects on employment, education and rural culture in India

By M H Ahssan

Globalization is the process of rapid integration of countries and happening through greater foreign trade and foreign investment. It refers to increased possibilities for action between and among people in situations where latitudinal and longitudinal location seems immaterial to the social activity at hand as per the definition of social theorists. Territory in the sense of a traditional sense of a geographically identifiable location no longer constitutes the whole of “social space” in which human activity takes places. In this initial sense of the term, globalization refers to the spread of new forms of non-territorial social activity.

Governments of several countries liberalized the trade and allowed more flexibilities in their business policies to provide equal opportunities to multinational firms in their domestic market. Indian government did the same and liberalized the trade and investment due to the pressure from World Trade Organization. Import duties were cut down phase-wise to allow MNC's operate in India on equality basis.As a result globalization has brought to India new technologies, new products and also the economic opportunities. Despite bureaucracy, lack of infrastructure, and an ambiguous policy framework that adversely impact MNCs operating in India, MNCs are looking at India in a big way, and are making huge investments to set up R&D centers in the country.

India has made a lead over other growing economies for IT, business processing, and R&D investments. There has been both positive and negative impact of globalization on social and cultural values in India.There is no denying of the fact that globalization has brought cheers to people's life by opening new vistas of employment. It has also made inroads in the cultural heritage of this country. The web article "the impact of globalization on social and cultural values in India" describes it at length.

Now-a-days globalization is being talked everywhere by everyone. Lot of discussion is going on and intellectuals, NGO's, Government officials and different national and International organizations are studying the impact of globalization on various aspects of life in India including its impact on Indian culture, value system and employment but the most important aspect being neglected is "Has it any impact on rural life", where more than 60 percent of Indian population resides.International and national organizations are trying to study its impact on various aspects of life in general.

Basic facilities: Impact is clearly visible on urban life but rural life in India has not changed much. If we start from the basic facilities, impact is not so marked as in urban areas. People are still living in houses made of mud barring houses of few rich and progressive farmers. Government made houses for people in the name of "Indira Awaas Yojna" are so poorly designed and constructed that a family of three to four people can not live comfortably in these houses. Occupation has been taken by the people but most of them are still staying in their earlier made "Kuchcha " houses. Conditions of farming communities are yet untouched from globalization. Laborers’ conditions have somewhat improved due to implementation of "Minimum Wages by the Government. Prime Minister Rojgar Yojna and CM Rojgar Yojna have made partial employment available to this segment.

Government has initiated several developmental programs for uplift of living standards of people but full benefits have not reached to the targeted population due to corruption prevalent in administrative and political systems. Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna has resulted in road connectivity in rural India but roads are of poor quality and without drainage support. Toilet and lavatory systems are not of standard quality and not even constructed in all houses of the village. Even today more than 90 percent people in villages attend the call of nature in open fields.

Electricity: Life in rural India is miserable due to non-availability of electricity. Several states in India claim that 40, 50 or even 100 percent villages have been electrified. But supply of electricity to villages that have been electrified is not more than 3-4 hours per day. It is big hindrance in development. Globalization is not going to make much difference to rural life until ad unless electricity is supplied uninterruptedly 10-12 hours per days too these villages.

Education: School buildings are available in few villages but number of teachers is inadequate in primary schools. Benches, boards and other facilities are of sub-standard quality. There is, however, one positive development that girls are attending the schools in the villages. Also the number of students attending graduate and post graduate courses is increasing but awareness among students from rural areas lacks towards technical education and that is the single reason that most of the students from rural areas are unable to secure employment.

Technology: Technology has failed to percolate to villages in absence of electricity and other communication infrastructure. Few people know about the internet. However, well-to-do families have availed DTH and dish TV facilities. Mobile connections are increasing in rural areas but at slower pace. There are no small scale industries in villages to provide employment to educated youth.

Culture and social values: India’s real culture is still preserved in rural life. New advancement of technology has not much influence in rural areas. People still prefer to wear dresses of old fashion and celebrate festivals in old styles. Folk dances and folk songs are still popular among villagers. Culture is still untouched and unaffected by western influence. Globalization has no impact on rural life as standards of living are suboptimal but migration of people is taking place and poor people are moving to urban areas in search of employment.

Agriculture: Globalization does not have any positive impact on agriculture. On the contrary, it has few deterimental effect as government is always willing to import food grains, sugar etc whenever there is a price increase of these commodities. Government never thinks to pay more to farmers so that they produce more food grains but resorts to imports. On the other hand, subsidies are declining so cost of production is increasing. Even forms producing fertilizers have to suffer due to imports. There are also threats like introduction of GM crops, herbicide resistant crops etc.