How Technology Can Help Deepen Cultural Appreciation For Indian Youth

In today’s lightning paced digital world, our little ones are being endlessly bombarded with a variety of new cultures, ideas and practices. And while it’s certainly wonderful to watch them explore and grow as little humans, how do we ensure they also remain firmly rooted in their Indian heritage? Say hello to technology – the perfect guide in this cultural excursion! With an endless array of amazing apps, tools and virtual activities, tech can provide newer, cooler and more interesting ways for our children to immerse themselves in their cultural roots. 

Today, we explore how our children can utilise these digital solutions to feel powerfully connected to their culture and genuinely curious about it. Read on to find out more. 

1. Unlocking Creative Expression

Ever wonder why kids’ faces light up whenever they’re doodling on tablets or editing photos on their phones? That’s because they’re operating on a whole different creative wavelength, and that creativity doesn’t have to stop at making pretty pictures — it can also be a child’s way to keep connected with their Indian roots. Let’s take a festival like Dussehra, for example. Sure, it would be fantastic if they showed more interest in learning about all the traditional ceremonies and pujas that mark the victory of good over evil. But let’s be honest — have you ever met a kid who showed genuine interest in these things? We’ll be waiting. 

The good news is that a keen interest in the history and significance of our cultural events may not come till their later years, but with the help of tech, our kids can still get involved in the fun (in their own way, of course). For example, apps like Adobe Express are the perfect tool for our little ones to channel their creativity — they can create a wallpaper for Dussehra online, or create a digital collage of bright images that offers an opportunity to connect with their heritage and express themselves in entirely new ways. 

Not to mention Instagram, TikTok and Facebook – a.k.a. our children’s second homes. These digital spaces not only allow our kids to show their digital art to their friends and family members – they give our kids an opportunity to be authentic and honour cultural heritage in such a modern and meaningful way. So, rather than telling them to “put the phone down”, maybe you can encourage your kids to express their cultural creativity in the digital spaces instead! 

2. Embracing Tradition in a Digital Age

Many people assume that being immersed in the digital world means saying goodbye to our ancient traditions, customs and practices. And while this may sometimes ring true,who said you can’t have the best of both worlds? Technology isn’t just all about endless scrolling and Netflix binges, as much as we admittedly enjoy both pastimes. Rather, it’s also about opening up new avenues for our kids to connect with our cultural heritage.

Take virtual tours, for example. Instead of flipping through boring stacks of textbooks about the Taj Mahal at the school library, kids are now able to take amazing 3D  or 360 degree virtual reality tours of our very own wonder of the world — how amazing is that? From exploring hallways, to gazing at the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahān, these virtual experiences bring history to life in a way that’s engaging and accessible from the comfort of your living room. 

Not to mention, Google is like having the world at your fingertips. For curious kids who want to learn more about our traditional roots and cultures, this search engine provides weeks worth of interesting knowledge and facts that kids can digest in their own time and at their own convenience. So, let’s embrace technology as a tool for cultural exploration, proving that tradition and innovation can indeed coexist harmoniously.

3. Connecting Across Generations

Do you have elders or relatives residing outside the country? Given that many of us now reside far from our ancestral lines, passing down cultural values and traditions can be pretty challenging. But worry not; technology has your back! 

Through video calls and messaging applications, our children can keep in touch with their grandparents and family members more than ever. Whether it’s learning how to roll perfectly round rotis from Nani over a Zoom call,  listening to stories about the yesteryears from grandparents, aunts and uncles, technology enables our kids to connect with family and friends, regardless of where they are in the world. 

You can even connect with your loved ones by gaming online! Thanks to the development of gaming community technologies like microphone headsets and platforms like Discord, playing games online is another fun and engaging way to make digital memories with your loved ones across cyberspace. Playing games with your family members can also help provide expats with more opportunities to continue speaking their mother tongue. In other words, your weekly game time could also double up as a language hour. So, even if you may ont be able to make yearly trips to the motherland, you can rest assured that your little ones aren’t missing out on anything. It’s a beautiful thing. 

4. Cultural Learning Made Accessible

When it comes to teaching kids about Indian culture and heritage, technology is more or less the ultimate cheat code. The great thing about tech is that it ensures our kids don’t have to lose interest in our cultural heritage through dusty old books or boring lectures. Instead, they can swipe and click through it on their smartphones. 

Imagine this: rather than struggling through ambitious Hindi lessons in a classroom that leaves your kid feeling deflated, what if they could learn the language in the comfort of their own bedroom? Language apps like Duolingo, Babbel, and Clozemaster allow your kids to access Hindi, Tamil or Urdu lessons in a fun, engaging, and interactive way. Most importantly, it’ll be on their terms, which usually is the best way for children or teens to learn. 

And it doesn’t end at just learning our native tongue — kids are also able to watch Youtube videos, explore online learning resources, and even experience cultural events through Augmented Reality (AR). Sure, getting kids to attend these events in person is the ideal solution, but let’s be honest…kids will be kids, and forcing them to do anything against their will usually doesn’t end very well. So, imagine your kids putting on a pair of VR goggles and suddenly finding themselves amidst the colourful chaos of Holi…all without ever leaving the house. Pretty cool, if we have to say so ourselves! 

5. Fostering Global Citizenship

So here’s the deal: contrary to popular belief, learning about various cultures around the world doesn’t have to water down our own Indian culture. In fact, what if we were to tell you that it can actually make our children appreciate their culture even more? Through online communities and social network platforms, our kids get to explore diverse cultures from all corners of the globe…something you’ve probably already witnessed.

But here’s the kicker: as your kids interact with people from around the globe, whether that be India, China, Canada or Australia, they start to see the beauty in our Indian heritage even more. They learn to appreciate the significance and intricacies behind our own customs, whilst showing mutual respect for other cultures around the world. It’s exactly like having a global passport and immersing oneself in each culture’s tapestry while still maintaining our own. And what could be more amazing than celebrating diversity and inclusivity? 

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As you can see, technology can be an invaluable tool in helping our Indian youth deepen their appreciation for our native cultures, customs, and traditions. So, why not get with the times and take advantage of these digital opportunities to connect with our heritage?

So, let’s encourage our kids to use technology as a bridge to celebrate our cultural identity and preserve our traditions for generations to come. And who knows? In doing so, we may just be able to create our very own version of Tanzohub, creating a space for Indian youth to explore and celebrate their culture through their own self-expression. In that way, the internet could help to not just preserve our cultures, but perhaps even add to them as our youth and communities continue to globalise.