Diversity refers to where people of different religion, culture, caste, language etc. live together and fulfill their needs. Just as there is variation in the color, form, lifestyle, food, etc. of a human being or being the same in spite of having different forms, it is called diversity. Like Indian culture presents a unique form and ideal of unity in diversity.
Types of diversity
1. Religious diversity
2. Cultural Diversity
3. Language Diversity
4. Ethnic diversity
5. Tribal Diversity
Diversity in India
• India is a country of many diversities.
• We speak different languages,
• Have various types of food,
• Celebrate different festivals, practise different religions.
How to understand Diversity
• People often preferred to move from one place to another to fulfill their deficiencies/needs.
• Some for settling, some for farming and for new land which is beneficial for them. So that they can do business.
• When he used to go away, he used to be completely detached from his culture, society and he started knowing about other culture.
• This means that people used to move from one place to another for the fulfillment of their food
• People still do this today.
• A new mixed culture begins to arise due to the exchange of one’s own culture and the culture of the new place.
• Diversity also arises in people from the physical environment.
• The food, clothing, culture of the people of Ladakh and Kerala is also different.
• Ladakh remained an integral part of trade. The people of Tibet first came here.
• Buddhism reached Tibet only through Ladakh.
• Ladakh is called Little Tibet because the dress and society are equal.
Reasons For Diversity:-
• The text Kesar Saga of Tibet (Northern India-cold region) is quite popular in Ladakh.
• It is locally sung and played by both Muslims and Buddhists.
• Kerala (in the south-west corner, surrounded by sea and on the other side by hills), where a variety of spices like black pepper, long, cardamom, etc. are grown. It was the center of attraction for the traders. Jews and Arabs came here.
• Saint Thomas, the apostle of Jesus Christ, came here about 2000 years ago. The credit of Christianity in India goes to them.
• Ibn Batuta (belonging to Moroccan) came about 700 years ago and told in the account that the Muslim community in India has a lot of respect.
• When Vasco da Gama reached India by ship, the Portuguese knew the sea route from Europe to
India.
• Due to all these historical influences the people of Kerala practice different religions.
• Including Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism.
• Chinese traders also came to Kerala and nets (Chinese ones) are still used for fishing in Kerala. And those who use utensils for frying fish are called “chinchatti”.
• Rice cultivation is suitable due to the fertile soil climate of Kerala and people eat fish, vegetables and rice.
• We have seen here that the cultural life of any region is closely related to its history and geography.
• With each step, our cultural customs and way of life gradually become a part of the new territory that we reach.
Unity In Diversity
• India’s diversity is considered the source of its strength.
• The British tried to take advantage of this but they could not succeed and they had to leave India.
• Jawaharlal Nehru wrote in his book “The Search of India” that Indian unity is not something imposed from outside, but “it is very deep within which there is a sense of acceptance of different types of beliefs and practices”. It recognizes and encourages diversity.”
• Our national knowledge composed by Rabindranath is also an expression of Indian unity.
