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Persuasion is a powerful tool that can be used for good or evil. There are many reasons why persuasion is so common in India. One reason is that Indian culture is often seen as hierarchical. This means that people are more likely to defer to authority figures, which makes them more susceptible to persuasion.

Another reason for the prevalence of persuasion in India is the country’s diverse population. India is home to people from many different cultures, religions, and backgrounds. This diversity can make it difficult for people to agree on what is right and wrong, which creates an opening for persuasion.

Finally, persuasion is often used in India because it is seen as a legitimate way to influence people. In Indian culture, there is a strong emphasis on respect for elders and authority figures. This means that people are more likely to be persuaded by someone who they believe is knowledgeable or experienced.

How persuasion is used in India:

• Marketing and advertising: Persuasion is used extensively in marketing and advertising in India. Companies use a variety of persuasive techniques to convince people to buy their products, including emotional appeals, logical arguments, and celebrity endorsements.
• Politics: Persuasion is also a key element of political campaigning in India. Politicians use a variety of persuasive techniques to convince voters to support them, including promises, fear-mongering and appeals to patriotism.
• Religion: Persuasion is also used in religious contexts in India. Religious leaders use a variety of persuasive techniques to convince people to follow their beliefs, including stories, parables, and appeals to faith.

In the hands of a charismatic leader, persuasion can be used to create a cult, a group of people who are devoted to the leader and his or her beliefs.

Cults have been around for centuries, but they have become increasingly prevalent in India in recent years. There are now an estimated 9,000 cults in India, according to the anti-cult movement.

There are many reasons why people join cults. Some people are looking for a sense of community or belonging, while others are seeking spiritual enlightenment. Still others are simply looking for a way to escape their problems.

Cult leaders are experts in persuasion. They use a variety of techniques to manipulate their followers, including:

• Love Bombing: This is a technique in which the leader showers the follower with attention and affection. This makes the follower feel special and loved, and it makes them more likely to trust the leader.
• Isolation: The leader isolates the follower from their friends and family. This makes the follower more dependent on the leader, and it makes it more difficult for them to leave the cult.
• Fear: The leader uses fear to control the follower. They may tell the follower that they will be punished if they leave the cult, or they may tell them that the outside world is a dangerous place.
• Thought Control: The leader controls the follower’s thoughts by controlling the information they have access to. They may restrict the follower’s access to the internet, books, or other media. They may also tell the follower that their thoughts are wrong and that they need to believe what the leader says.

The effects of cults can be devastating. Followers of cults may lose their friends, family, and jobs. They may also be physically or emotionally abused. In some cases, followers of cults have even committed suicide. There are a few statistics that illustrate the prevalence of persuasion in India.

For example, a study by the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad found that 70% of Indian consumers are influenced by advertising. This is significantly higher than the global average of 50%.

Another study, conducted by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, found that 60% of Indian voters are influenced by political campaigns. This is also significantly higher than the global average of 40%.

If you are concerned that someone you know may be involved in a cult, there are a number of things you can do. You can talk to the person about your concerns, and you can provide them with information about cults. You can also contact a cult-exiting organization for help.

These statistics suggest that persuasion is a powerful tool that can be used to influence people’s decisions in India. To read more about the things that can be done to prevent people from joining cults, the statistics, and how to use persuasion effectively.

– Urveez Kakalia and Sakshi Merai.

References:

Persuasion and population control in India. (1979). PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12262526/