Are Indian Traditions Holding Us Back?

When I was a kid, my grandmother used to wake us all up at 4:30 AM sharp to take a bath, pray, and recite mantras before sunrise. At the time, it felt like punishment—especially during cold North Indian winters. She’d say, “This is our sanskaar. It makes you strong.” I didn’t argue, mostly because her stare was scarier than any chill.

Fast forward two decades, and I find myself asking a question that makes people squirm: Are Indian traditions helping us—or holding us back?

Let me be clear: not all traditions are bad. Many are beautiful, grounding, and full of wisdom. But some, if we're being honest, might need a serious update. And if we can put aside the sentimental value for a moment, it’s worth exploring where we’re clinging to rituals that clash with progress.

The Tradition Trap

Let’s take the classic example of career choices. If you grew up in a typical Indian household, you probably heard these golden words: “Doctor, Engineer, IAS.” That was the holy trinity. My cousin Ramesh, a brilliant painter, gave up his sketchbooks for a B.Tech degree he hated. Today, he crunches code by day and paints by night like some superhero leading a double life—except there's no applause, only burnout.

Why? Because “art has no future,” our elders said. It wasn’t malicious. It came from fear, love, and a desire to see us succeed. But it also came from a refusal to see how much the world had changed.

Sacred, But Not Always Sensible

Marriage is another area where tradition tugs hard. Arranged marriages aren’t inherently bad—plenty of couples thrive. But the pressure to marry within caste, community, or a particular horoscope alignment? That’s where it gets messy. A friend once had her wedding postponed because Mars was in the wrong house. Not in the wrong country, mind you. Just the wrong corner of the sky.

And don’t even get me started on the “log kya kahenge?” virus. It’s probably the most contagious disease in Indian society. You want to start a business? Wear what you like? Stay single past 30? Better prepare for the extended family gossip Olympics.

Where Traditions Shine

To be fair, it’s not all grim. Touching elders’ feet teaches humility. The joint family system, when functional, offers support most Westerners would envy. Even rituals like festivals keep us connected to roots in a chaotic, digitized world.

Ayurveda, yoga, and practices like meditation—once dismissed as “exotic”—are now mainstream globally. Our traditions hold power, especially when they’re based on principle rather than pressure.

The Real Problem: Selective Modernity

The issue isn’t tradition itself. It’s selective tradition. We upgrade our phones every year, but refuse to upgrade our mindsets. We want our daughters to become CEOs but still expect them to serve tea at family gatherings. We quote scriptures, but ignore their core message of compassion and adaptability.

It’s like driving a Tesla with a moral compass from the 1800s.

Time for an Honest Chat

What we need is not rebellion, but revision. Ask yourself:

Does this tradition empower or restrict?
Is it based on wisdom or fear?
Am I following this because it makes sense—or just because it’s always been done?

We don’t need to throw out our cultural heritage. We just need to dust it off, keep what’s meaningful, and let go of what’s outdated. Think of it as curating a playlist—keep the classics, skip the noise.

My Take

As someone rooted in India but raised on a steady diet of both Ramayana and Reddit, I believe we can embrace our identity without being imprisoned by it.

Let’s stop pretending tradition and progress can’t hold hands. They can. They must. But only if we’re willing to have the uncomfortable conversations—at the dinner table, in classrooms, and yes, even with grandma at 4:30 AM.

Top Comments (0) Read More Comments