GS1 (Consolidation within the country)
India is a land of diversity. People speak different languages, have different beliefs etc, but are still united as Indians. What are the factors responsible for this unity?
Best answer
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Winston Churchill once said that India because of its Multi culturalism India would not be able to remain integrated as a nation. However, 69 years post independence the nation and the unity survives despite linguistic, religious, ethnic, and social diversity, mainly because:
1. Cross dependence of any parameter of diversity: It is very difficult to demarcate where religious, linguistic or ethnic boundaries start or end. A Muslim in Tamil Nadu finds linguistic fraternity with the locals, while a Christian in Meghalaya has religious concurrence with Kerala. Thus, sub nationalities could not be formed.
2. Historical: India has had a definite geographical existence and since centuries the various strands of society have forged a common sociological and existential presence. -> difficult to divide along any lines.
3. Geographically, it has a separate entity marked from Himalayas to Peninsula -> lesser divergence.
4. Economic interdependence is perhaps the most unique feature. The carpenters in Bhadohi, the Banarasi saree workers in Varanasi are Muslims although the owners are upper caste Brahmins. Such interdependence is difficult to be broken.
5. Linguistic states that were marked in 1956 has given a sense of common allegiance to the Nation, as people could assert themselves using their linguistic nationalism. It has strengthened the nation concept.
6. Democracy: It does not allow anger to former as people have their right that can be exercised.
7. Constitutional provisions like Article 15/16, Arricle 25-30 and the concept of positive “secularism”.
8. The cosmopolitan culture among the youths has also diffused the foundries to a large extent.
9. The ethos of “Sarva Dharma Sambhava”, “Ek Bharat, Shreshta Bharat” and general principles of inclusiveness of Indian culture have also helped maintain the unity in diversity.
However, with the advent of indicvidualistic lifestyles and virtual world presence, it has put strain on the age old fraternity led and community living principles. In such challenging times, it becomes important to address the issues of any region/religion/community in timely manner and prevent any marginalisation.
