For years we have been proud of the rich traditions of our vast country. It's wealth of knowledge, cultural diversities and sacred destinations are unmatched. India for long has remained as the India one could think of.

This particular notion though is fast changing, changing in a way where young men and women forget their roots and in due course destroy the cultural values. The so-called cosmopolitan lifestyle is the in- thing today. This change has not occurred overnight. The consistent and ever-growing mode of "self styled independence" helped in large by the western branding exercises has left a hole so deep in our culture that one imagines whether it can be brought back to parity ever again.

Being American or European overnight is seen as the solution to being modern.

India has become a global hub for outsourcing. Outsourcing it is but at the same time exploiting true values and culture. With outsourcing centres adding manure to the crop youngsters just want to become modern/westernised. Attractive remuneration and an easy atmosphere lures everyone into this field. A typically Indian guy transformed into a foreigner at night! Has anyone foreseen the damage this can do?

A clear picture of this lifestyle can be obtained if one happens to stay in a self proclaimed cosmopolitan city for long. Superficial, this is one word that comes to the mind. People go on as if it were America not for one instance thinking they are in India. The yos' and yeahs' rule the talks and 'respect' is a forgotten word! Clothes, which used to define beauty has attained a new definition - "expressing nudity".

Partying once seen as a thing for the rich and famous is now a part of everybody's life. It's more of a daily routine these days. The western influence has been so much that young men and women alike see life as incomplete without parties. Pub hopping is another marked area. Now then are these acceptable within our community? A majority of folks who live in these cities don't see this as acceptable. Yet, it is the blind belief in these lifestyles that spell doom.

Live-in relationships - a way of life or a way to hell? This is one lifestyle gaining immense popularity amongst the youth and is a sign of danger. Almost every youngster "grabs an opportunity" for a live-in relationship. What is this phenomenon? Nothing but a way to destroy ones creativity and harness all the wrong deeds.

It's been regarded by the young folks as something through which you can experience independence and get emotional bonding. Now, didn't people have emotional bonds earlier without living in? Agreed, it's no harm to experience everything in life. But would experiencing it in a way which would kill our society and culture be useful. Certainly not, it's even worth mentioning that this particular lifestyle is not held in high regard in the West. Further close-knit families here living in the very city find it extremely hard to live by.

Does one need to indulge in all these activities to be modern. The negative implications are seldom thought about. The current trend leads to people being less religious.

Alcoholism, smoking--a sign of maturity in todays standards, sex, violence and to top it all drugs rule their brains. A few years back there existed a barrier between being man and being a child. Today we hardly see that line. It is quite common to see young kids (boys and girls) their rush of blood carrying them ever so closely to taste the first sign of adulthood - virtually a no-return path.

It's sad to note that people who adopt the new lifestyle never see what life is on the other side of the world. It is the external self that they believe in. If the West follows such trends it has to be noted that they have been following this for many years now in a totally different environment. Are parents aware of the consequences or are they still thinking it is the same-old India where both sexes are separated by a mile.

Sitting and ruing later-on would be of no use. It is high time that we people as proud Indians stand up and address this situation.