Understanding the Cultural Roots of India's Technology Development from Homi Bhabha's Post-Colonial Perspective

Abstract

This chapter introduces Homi K. Bhabha’s post-colonial social theory of interstitial perspective and then discusses the application or overlay of the constructs that emanate from that to the roots of India’s technology and (subsequent) IT development and its complementary effect in shaping Indian Information Systems professionals. The chapter spotlights various events and persona in India’s history, including the current crop of IT professionals emerging from the subcontinent. It then overlays Homi Bhabha’s constructs to verify that the constructs do, indeed, apply to India’s developments in the IT arena. The chapter thus aims to offer a cultural and social-theory viewpoint with philosophical underpinnings to explain the roots and current happenings in the field of IT in India.