• Realize that we need to be responsible – In earlier times, culture was not a matter of choice. Wisdom was carefully packaged into a set of beliefs and customs and passed on through generations. Whereas today, social pressures are fading to give way to more independence. Freedom of choice means more responsibility. However, we do not give adequate thought to decisions and most of the times they happen almost subconsciously. We are increasingly adopting ‘convenient’ ways rather than the best ways;

• Preserve our individual culture – Our strength is in preserving the essence of the individual culture one is born in, while evolving to a higher set of values. Social organization, government and economy are beyond individual control. Therefore, I refer to preserving culture in terms of the customs, beliefs, language and arts. There is merit in the argument that one must preserve individual cultures. Culture colors life. It provides a feast for our senses, while keeping the sanity intact. It provides for artistic expression, and a sense of belonging. It increases sensitivity. Most importantly, it is a subtle way of developing the intellectual and moral faculties in the next generation. It may not be possible to do all that our ancestors did, but one can definitely preserve the essence;

• Acknowledge the limitations of our knowledge – Education brings with it scientific thinking, which is much required. When it comes to beliefs, traditions and social norms, let’s use scientific temper to weed out superstition, and any other negative aspects involved. However, let us also bear in mind that our knowledge has limitations. Therefore, we also need to learn when not to rely on reason. For example; when there isn’t any obvious reason to shun a particular practice, keep it. There must be some good in it that we don’t understand;

• Bifurcate economic life and personal life – Our experiences and interactions in our economic life may be beyond the purview of our personal culture. Unknowingly, we let our economic life seep into our personal lives. We acquire values, habits and get accustomed to social norms that maybe necessary to survive professionally but we continue to live with the same in the personal sphere;

• Evolve to a higher set of values– Lastly, let’s remember that individual cultures were formed in an era where resources and information were limited. Being part of a culture can also be an impediment to change, which one needs to overcome. While it is important to preserve the essence of one’s individual culture, it is equally important not to be limited by it. We must use the resources and information available to us today to acquire new values. For example, UNESCO has published a list of values which we can refer to. We can even imbibe best practices from other cultures. 

The idea is to be aware that our choices today, will be our children’s tomorrow. If it is a cultural synthesis we are moving towards, let’s move to the best, while preserving the diversity that makes the world so beautiful.

Let’s preserve, and at the same time, evolve.

“Culture is the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations” -Merriam Webster