India’s economic and cultural landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation since the turn of the millennium, driven largely by the forces of globalization and the rapid growth of its information technology sector. This period marked the beginning of India’s emergence as a global superpower, with its economy expanding at an impressive pace and its influence on the world stage growing significantly.
I first started traveling to India in 2002, shortly after I was hired by a subsidiary of the Danish shipping company, Maersk. My colleagues in Chennai, where our office was based, were part of the transformation taking place in southeast Asia where globalization was improving prospects for economic development and personal development.
Our company focused on information technology and provided professional services to Maersk worldwide.
The IT Revolution
Over the decades I’ve traveled to India multiple times visiting Mumbai, Kerala, Bangalore and many towns and archaeological sites near Chennai.
At the heart of India’s transformation was the booming information technology industry. By the early 2000s, India had established itself as a global hub for software development and IT services. This IT revolution was fueled by a large pool of highly skilled, English-speaking workers who could provide services at globally competitive rates.
The impact of the IT sector extended far beyond just economic growth. It created a new class of young, affluent professionals, changing social dynamics and consumer behavior across urban India. Cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune transformed into bustling tech hubs, attracting talent and investment from around the globe.
Globalization’s Impact
Globalization played a crucial role in India’s transformation. As the country opened up its economy further, it saw an influx of foreign investment and multinational corporations. This not only boosted economic growth but also exposed Indians to global cultures and lifestyles. While globalization brought numerous benefits, it also presented challenges. Income inequality persisted, and there were concerns about the impact on local industries and traditional ways of life.
Travel Highlights
Kanchipuram, also known as Kanchi or Kanci, is a city of great historical and religious significance in Tamil Nadu, southern India.
It was the capital of the Pallava dynasty from the 4th to 9th centuries CE. The city remained important during the subsequent Chola and Vijayanagara periods. It is considered one of the seven holiest cities in Hinduism. The city houses over 120 temples, including 108 dedicated to Vishnu. It was also an important center for Jainism and Buddhism between the 1st and 5th centuries CE. Kanchipuram-based Buddhist institutions played a key role in spreading Theravada Buddhism to Southeast Asia.
Kanchipuram is renowned for its hand-woven silk sarees, with a significant portion of its workforce involved in the weaving industry. A favorite memory of mine was when several of my colleagues wore their traditional silk sarees for a photo shoot. The image below shows the beautiful colors of the traditional dress.
The city streets are often crowded and chaotic and overwhelming.
This is a photo from the retail flower market in Mumbai in 2019. Many Hindus maintain alters in their homes or offices where candles are lit, incense is burned and flowers are offered on a daily basis.
Holi is a significant Hindu festival that holds deep cultural, religious, and social importance. Holi marks the arrival of spring and the end of winter, celebrating new beginnings and the renewal of nature
Holi has transcended its Hindu origins to become a pan-Indian festival celebrated by people of various faiths.
The playful throwing of colored powders and water represents joy, love, and the colorful blossoming of spring. This photo shows me with my colleagues after the celebration.
Another of my favorite visits was to a daycare facility for preschool children in an area in central Chennai. These children, now all young adults, were being given the opportunity to go to school while their mothers were being trained for jobs in the booming economic community of that time.
In 2015 I had an opportunity to give a guest lecture at Great Lakes University, about an hour drive outside of Chennai. By this time my academic focus had shifted from operational IT concerns to matters of cybersecurity. This shift reflected a larger societal trend whereby threat actors from around the world were using the resources of the Internet and the information revolution to prey on the vulnerable in many societies.
As India’s economy developed, so too did the fortunes of my colleagues. Two entrepreneurs, shown here beside me, started an executive search firm based in Chennai with offices in the UAE, England, Australia and the US. The company, High Places International has built a global reputation for identifying and recruiting talent for the IT and other sectors.
In 2019, just before the onset of the global Covid crisis I visited my colleagues in India to celebrate the launch of the new office.
Stay tuned for more to come on this rich and fascinating country and its people.
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