How can India’s ‘soft power’ (capacity to attract others by its culture) become its greatest asset?

Question

It is increasingly axiomatic today that the old calculations of “hard power” are no longer sufficient to guide a country’s conduct in world affairs. Our “soft power” -- the aspects and products of our society that the world finds attractive – have become much more important. Bollywood, Indian art, literature, fashion, and cuisine, the values of Ashoka, Akbar and Gandhi, and the pluralism of our civilization, constitutes our “soft power”. As a society with a free press and a thriving mass media, with a people whose creative energies are daily encouraged to express themselves in a variety of appealing ways, India has an extraordinary ability to tell stories that are more persuasive and attractive than those of its rivals. Is this, rather than nuclear weapons, industrial growth or military might, our real global USP? How credible is our soft power in the face of poverty, communal violence, corruption and caste discrimination?

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Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Dear Mr.Shashi Tharoor,

This is a beatuful issue that you have chosen to highlight. India's soft power is certainly waiting to be tapped into, for India's benefit.

I have the following idea on how to use the same :

As the theme implies, India's soft power is best used for networking, both within and outside India. Outside India, we are most fortunate to have one of the widest diaspora, who have to be channelised properly to promote Indian Values and culture in the country of their adopted countries. Just think of it : Canada, USA, Middle East, Singapore, Malaysia, Large pockets in Europe, the list is very impressive. The Indians abroad can be motivated to swing political opinion and perception, in India's favour. Right from small issues like aid for India's underprivileged, to something major, like a permanent UNSC seat, can be achieved with a channelised activity like the above. (If you can chair such an initiative, Sir, I would be happy to support you in this endeavour).

In return, we can offer these fellow Indians some extended hospitality, and make their lives and that of their extended families in India a wee bit easier.

Within India, Sir, there exists an even bigger opportunity. I, for one, am working with one of the largest MNCs, in a middle management position, based in Mumbai. While interacting with my peers, colleagues and Industry counterparts, I have observed that there is an inherent desire in many to contribute in some way to society; but the lack of organised effort makes many of them reticent, and some of them limit their involvement to financial contributions. If a majority of this group can be motivated with an organised and transparent
movement, they will come forward to assist and take this movement forward.

We live in a highly networked world, and with effective use of technology, we can bridge the gap between the two Indias, the India of the advanced rocket science and IT, and the India of the villages.

With best regards, Krishnakumar.

Source(s):

My own words!

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Great answer. Thanks.

Answer 2

TOLERENCE & FEEL OF CO-EXISTANCE ( Sah -Astitav) i.e. LIVE & LET LIVE OTHERS TOO is the essence of Indian culture & i.e. the only reason behind our multi lateral culture DEVELOPED THORGH THE 10000YRS OF PRESENT CIVILIZATION FROM THE ERA OF RAMA, KRISHNA,MAHAVIRA, BUDDHA GANDHI AND MANY MORE& THE ONLY STRENGTH which attracts others who come in touch with our culture.

Also our culture teaches us to respect the women be it Mother, Sister, Wife or Daughter, & give them equal right at least in learned families & not to understand them just a object of personnel pleasure or like slave in few other cultures, this let us feel the importance of relations & makes a strong social bonding.

Yahi baat hai ki hasti mitati nahi hamari, Dushman raha hai sadiyon dore jahan hamara..

Kyunki………….. dushman ko bhi dost bana lena hi hamari culture/ soft power ki fitrat hai…

These are essence of our soft power which make it our greatest asset. The time has come we spread plus point of our culture worldwide through mass media & inviting the representatives of various culture worldwide on a common forum &share every one’s Idea & devise the world best culture & then spread the outcome though worldwide media, this is not a one time process, but repeating it year after years for continual improvement thus evolving a common human culture worldwide & there be no place for selfishness at any level.

Source(s):

my views

Answer 3

The country is unique

Answer 4

because many people want a piece of the rich and eccentric Indian culture which makes people buy indian products even though many of the products are obtained using bonded labor, child labor, and cruelty. The truth is most foreignors like cheap hand crafted (not plastic) things.

Answer 5

What exactly is behind all these? Is it not that our society has been dynamic since ancient times? Has it not attracted the great Socrates, the Plato, the Roman merchants, the remnants of Jews (when they were driven out of their land), the zorastrian parsis, the Chinese travellers to learn a great religion of peace, the dutch and other european races as merchants and then as rulers?

What kept going such a hectic activity of interchange of ideas, agro-products, religion and culture since time immemorial?

If one has to go by history books even the great Aryan ancestors migrated towards India and toward parts of europe. So what attracted them to this great nation?

In such a long time line of history only this country has been geographically(politically) intact as one nation. This is continuing to do so. All that we have added in the form of modern economic growth is just another froath on this great ocean(nation).

Never this country stepped out in revenge even when Alexanders came, even when mohemaddan's stepped in to destroy its places of worship, even when there were other great conquests here and there in parts and parcels. Never they will do it again by force except by their spiritual qualities. Therefore, no need to mention our soft quality was, is and will be our asset. Perchance, if evolution allows us to program this quality in to our genes, we would do it.

Answer 6

Cultural influence is great but when it comes to the Chinese or Pakistani attempting to redefine political borders, nuclear weapons serve as a much better deterent. In my opinion, any country with global aspirations needs to leverage all forms of influence to their greatest advantage.

Answer 7

go away... i don't know anyone who likes your people are society.... you're a bunch of racist

Answer 8

The future is about creativity for solutions medical, social, negotiations, inventions, creativity in business, technology, human relations, leadership and bringing diverse peoples together.
Love between peoples oil any society. Stress causes wars, illnesses and conflicts on all levels. The competitive model has gone way overboard. Trust and honesty in business causes trust of products and companies. The Japanese worker in every level trys to simplify and improve their efficiency everyday causing better moral, products, lower prices, lower costs and innovative appealing designs in a competitve world market where small difference makes the difference between which product will be bought, when the prices are similar. There is much literature from the West on the new trends and future of the market. The West tends to be too literal and unrefined relying on planned obsolescence, which is basical a corrupt practice, greed, worker intimidation, lies and secrecy. Modesty makes one try harder and love makes it all worthwhile for a lowly worker who has no status.
Intuition accesses the ninety percent of the brain that understands and is open to new ideas not seen by a closed mind. The East is inscutable while the West is somewhat transparent faltering by secrecies and corruption hidden from the people and the merger with Western technology is superior to a one sided view. The idea is to keep the best of the old and the new, the East and the West. That marriage is bringing India and China to the top, if it doesn't loose it's soul, but pride comes before a fall. People skills are still the most important in the world as a smooth running society can't be beat with harmony in the individual and between people and ideas. Was it that Russians didn't have technology or was it the lack of will of the people. The world is comming into a really big change where these skills will be coming even more to the front. Can the imagination and whole brain use handle it. You bet it can if leaders and the people have the vision. It's all in how good and flexible the plan is. Many hands and hearts make the work light. Inspiration. The mind works a 24 images a second complete with sights, sounds, symbols and discrepancies while the awareness operates at an seemingly unlimited speed. The brain is soft.

Answer 9

there cannot be a fool proof system to run a country. shortcomings are a matter of comparison. if another country with another system are better managing with their shortcomings or the india. i am not saying, india is the best. if i say that i am a hypocrat. but india has emerged from the phoenix. various other factors have better contributed for this prosperity than the some quoted by the author. a basic foundation was laid by jawarlal nehru for the development immediately after independence of the country. country which was in the verge of collapse, could sustain with gulf boom. many indian repatriates could help earn foreign exchange for our country with their earning abroad. after that has come the IT boom which has helped boost our foreign exchange reserve. definitely there is scope for further improvement of our soft power and we are living on hopes!

Answer 10

Yea but there's a lot of cow poop too!

Answer 11

Yes, anything which is beautiful is always at the top and anything which wants to be that beautiful is down the ladder. i.e. seeker has to always bow before the mighty.
India has a beautiful cultural background. So many festivals-so many beliefs-so much variety, yet ONE India. Our mighty culture is gradualy winning the hearts of people world over.
Our people grow in such an atmosphere in which they have so much of choices(beliefs & phylosphies....) floating around the society that by the time they grow they have more or less correct view about life, socialy.
May be, thats the reason why they are universally absorbed by all societies, internationaly.
But now the time has come that India has to be ready itself to absorb other people of different cultures in India. So shouldn't we beautify our culture by weeding out illitracy, poverty, corruption, casteism.... & such things, which with time are growing like a parasite and eating away our culture. So that when those people come they find our culture is as beautiful as they have perceived from our ancient books & beliefs.

Answer 12

hi.

Answer 13

As you know pretty well, "India's unity in diversity" has encouraged the growth of tolerance (of caste, creed, financial status, nationality and the belief in the political parties). Customs and traditions, though it varies, we have been practising from time imemmorial is the foundation of our 'soft power' nature. But others, when they deal with us, always have a preoccupation of mind that we are uncultured, uneducated, still believe in some supernatural false beliefs. This causes our softpower could not function properly in many occasions. Our growth in the field of Education, Scientific research, Economics are yet be accepted by others.

Answer 14

HAHAHA!!!! I CAN SAY WHATEVAH I WANT cuzaaa nobody gunna LOOOOOOOOK hey me 13 NOT 23 I WAS LYING hahahahahahahahahahaaaaaa not getting married sorry all a lie WHOOOOOHahahahaahhahaLIAR OVER HERE noooobody gunna seee it though. What was the subject??? what am I answering????

Answer 15

Indian **** is lamer than lame!! Somebody teach those poor girls to do oral!!!

Answer 16

well maybe the rich should help the poor in India and Indians
around the world should return to India and help the poor and sick to live in peace and harmony maybe eat a few cows
and get some weight on the bones. And seek the Guru who will help the needy in the ashram.. Gandi does love you.
Now go and donate all your rupees to a needy charity. peace.

Source(s):

Bubba Gee

Answer 17

GOGO

Answer 18

I do not know. Why ask this type of question on this site? Idiots abound here.

Answer 19

Rule by Force is unattractive to any Freedom Loving people,.and the Indian People are Free and Live in the largest Democratic country in the World. Soft power as you have explained it...does have a lot of positive influence in a Free society..free press,..freedom of Expression,..free speech,..and mutual Airing of opposing views,..is very important. People develop a sense of National pride of Country..and enjoy open exchange of ideas and opinions. I applaud India ,..for its shining example of Democracy to the world,..Societies have problems,,,ethnic,.and religious or other differences,..this goes along with being a "Free Society"..but i feel a Country's strength lies in its people...and in their convictions...and from what i have seen India has many good Things it brings to the Worlds table.

Answer 20

India has no soft power. Nobody wants to move to India for the culture. In fact, most Indians want to move AWAY from India.

Answer 21

As in the past, India needs to endure its patience and wait for destiny to reward. This doesn't seem to be far off. Dynasties have risen and fallen, so is India with its "soft power" on the rise. "Soft power" was always India's asset and hence Indian civilization too was never defeated unlike the "aggressive" or "hard power" Greek or Roman civilization. May be a lit bit of learning from history will help us promote our "soft power" capabilities in a desired direction and get our much awaited "success formula" !!!

Answer 22

India our mother land. The country of culture, socialism & ethics.The country in which the parents
still have the capacity to feed their children uptil the
level of graduation.

Specialy for Enecyclopedia you compared your country
with U.S.A. Can I ask than why people are coming from different countries to study in our country. Our management
insitute our considered the best throughout the world.

We are the highest salary pair in the World. Revise ur G.k.
as soon as possible. Shilpa shetty got famous in Big Brother
because of her polite ,sensible nature, and most important
of the values inculcated in her by her parents.

I firmly accept that due to our polite nature we have lost a lot, but we are gaining a lot also.

We are at advancing state, we are grooming as when opportunity comes we grab it.

That is the thing which is to be admired, appreciated and recommened.

India have advance a lot than any other developing country.
This is for Sure

Answer 23

I have traveled and worked in many Asian countries. I feel that the India I saw, urban and rural was a cruel society, where the poor 300 million people have no voice.
I was really amazed to see that Indians kept on trying to convince me of the opposite.
I think it is a gimmick to sell more.
Thriving mass media? What do you mean by that? The lifestyle sections of the newspapers?
Your credibility is about 0 at this moment, my idea. You really want to get some credibility: start a scheme that intends to improve the life of the poorest. Not the one your government is settng up, a real one.

Answer 24

Let it gooooooo.

Answer 25

Well India doesnt need to compete because it's already there...

Answer 26

my mail inboxs open the mail come to Error on the page pls sl my Answer

Answer 27

they need to straighten out their own country first, I have seen the specials on India, it is not something i would be drawn to, that's why people come here, to get away from their culture. or try and bring it here on their own.

Answer 28

(Singing in the Key of G)
I love my own, my native land;
La, la, la, la, la, la, la....

Answer 29

How credible is our soft power in the face of poverty, communal violence, corruption and caste discrimination? The answer is in its numbers, if 1 million die they r replaced by 1.5 million births , if theres violence & 1 million are killed its the same story etc etc, hence our soft power will always be constant & increasing

Answer 30

We have become Powerful only by our Attitude towards Life. We live in an Environment where Peace, Love and Brotherhood finds a place in our everyday life. We believe in our people, love our parents and value relationships like no one else. We have become powerful only by staying better in groups and not as individuals. Because we feel comfortable and happy living together as a community encompassing a wide variety of people from different religions, languages and cultures. Only all these inherent vital tendencies makes us a 'softpower'.

The world's perception of we being a Softpower and by virtue of it, one of our Greatest asset, will continue to stay for times to come - only if the basic values never undergo a negative change or make a new equation with cultural change taking a faster leap towards the west.

Answer 31

India is rich in its culture. This is the only reason why every year thousands of tourists visit India. & those residing here permanently shed off their western clothes & adopt the indian wearigs. Historical places has its own importance & which can't be competed with anything else. The beautiful temples of the South truely prove the presence of culture. Apart from this, the fashion, bollywood, literature, food,etc. too attract a lot of tourists. It is credible of minimising poverty, caste discrimination & communal violence But it has given rise to corruption & terrorism. In disguise terrorists are entering India which is a matter of great discussion for the Govt. But inspite of this demerit it is our real USP which can even attract our rivals.