Diversity in India

India is a plural society composed of people from different language, culture, religion, ethnicity. Linguistically, India boasts 22 scheduled languages and over 1600 dialects. Religious diversity encompasses Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, and others, each with internal sects and traditions. Regional variations in geography, climate, and history contribute to unique cultural expressions in festivals, art, and customs. Unity in this diversity comes from shared experiences like the freedom struggle and democratic values. This diversity, while a source of strength and richness, also presents challenges like communalism and globalization's homogenizing tendencies. India's diverse tapestry requires constitutional safeguards, legal protections against discrimination, and upholding the principle of secularism.

The philosophies of 'Atithi Devo Bhava' (treating the guests as God), Vasudhaiva-Kutumbakam (Whole world is one family), tolerance and open outlook of India have heavily contributed to the enrichment of India's diversity. For instance, persecuted communities such as Parsis and Jews were granted asylum in India.

Diversity refers to differences among people, especially those which differentiate one group of people from the other. These differences could be biological, religious, geographical, economic, linguistic, etc. India is a land of diverse culture, tradition, languages, religion and landscape. India’s diversity is not only a source of strength but also an origin of challenges like social inequality, discrimination, etc.

Diversity is seen in cultural differences. Groups have their own culture i.e. way of life. Culture includes material and non material elements like how we dress, what we eat, our beliefs, language, morals etc. India's diverse heritage has been incorporated into its culture which is primarily reflected in:

• Religion: India is characterized by diverse religious practices
• Language: India is home to numerous languages which preserve cultural heritage and foster a sense of identity.
• Cuisine: Indian cuisine is very diverse and changes in every region, state and even within States of India.
• Festivals: India celebrates a myriad of festivals, such as Diwali, Eid, Holi, and Christmas. Traditions and rituals foster a sense of unity.

Pluralism: It has been a key feature of Indian society. It stands for co-existence of many entities within a given sphere. These entities may be diverse or not. It recognizes the interest of diverse groups as equals and a sense of community between different cultures. It is also incorporated in the Preamble within the feature of Fraternity and brotherhood. Pluralism is an antithesis of communalism.

• Linguistic Diversity: There are 22 recognised languages in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India but over 1600 different languages and dialects are spoken in India rooted in Indo Aryan, Dravidian, Tibeto-Burman family of languages etc. India ranks 14th in the world in the Linguistic Diversity Index which indicates that there is large diversity in mother- tongues of people in the country.
• Religious Diversity:People of many different religions live in India like Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhist, Parsis etc. These religions have many sects as well. Also, people are organised based on different Castes and Sub-Castes which are found primarily in Hindu religion but other cultures also. These religions and castes reflect the plurality of different religious traditions.
• Regional Diversity: Each part of India has different features and socio-economic conditions due to regional diversity. Its parameters are geography, climate, governance (Autonomous Development Councils, Municipal Boards etc.), settlement pattern (tribal, rural, agricultural, urban) etc. They have different cultures which is represented in festivals, art, dance forms, customs, architecture, etc. Each region has its own history. That is why people have more in common w
• Racial Diversity: People have various racial features like height, weight, skin, colour of eye which are mostly hereditary.
  • Negrito - short stature, black skin, black woolly hair, thick lips and broad nose
  • Post-Australoid - short and medium stature, long and high head, broad and small nose
  • Mongoloid - yellow skin, straight hair, prominent cheekbones and almond shaped eyes
  • Mediterranean - they are connected to Dravidian languages and culture
  • Western Brachycephals - divided into 3 sub groups Alpenoid, Dinaric and Armenoid.
  • Nordic - tall stature, long head, light skin and hair and blue eyes.

Within regions of India, there are states and within states there are districts. These administrative boundaries are made for logistical purposes and in some cases are reflective of cultural units as well like State of Punjab was split from Haryana in 1966 due to their unique Punjabi identity. However, still Ambala district in Haryana has a huge Punjabi population.

• Diversity in a Region: In the southern region of India, there are various linguistic states like Tamil Nadu (Tamilians), Karnataka (Kannadigas), Kerala (Malyalis) etc.
• States as a Cultural Unit: Tamil Nadu in South India has its own Tamil identity and culture. Andhra Pradesh emerged as the first linguistic state of India having its own regional identity.
• Diversity Within a State: States may not be a homogenous cultural unit such as Tulu region in Karnataka state. Maharashtra comprises in itself many sub-regional identities, like Vidharbha, Konkan, Marathwada & west Maharashtra due to differences in socioeconomic & geographic factors. Telangana emerged from Andhra Pradesh due to its own separate cultural identity. Many such demands exist like Bodoland in Assam, demand for a Greater Nagalim for Naga people etc.

Diversity is India's greatest asset. It has many advantages:-

• India achieved freedom when people from different cultures united to overthrow the British government.
• Diversity of thoughts and opinions is also a necessary precondition for democratic governance.
• Diversity has also given rise to the rich cultural heritage, which is very much helpful in promoting tourism in India
• Diverse cropping patterns and geographical resources make India self sufficient and strong.

• Constitutional: various communities have been protected under the Constitution for educational and social upliftment like in case of affirmative action for the backward communities among the Hindus, Muslims and Tribals having different religions among the Other Backward Communities (OBCs) for better representation in public employment and education.
• Legal: laws like Special Marriage Act 1954 allow interfaith and intercaste marriages which allow meaningful integration among the communities apart from anti-discrimination laws like Civil Rights Act 1955, etc which apply to all communities against the practice of untouchability.
• Secularism: Philosophy of equal treatment for all religions and freedom for all people to practice, profess and propagate the religion of their choice.

• Communalism: Diversity being used for divisive purposes and being transformed into disruptive tendencies, like communalism, casteism and linguistic or regional exclusiveness.
• Secessionism: Politically, the presence of diversifying factors naturally tends to breed sub-national aspirations in people leading from pluralism to fragmentation.

The world is becoming a 'Global Village' and highly interconnected with ideas, people, capital seamlessly flowing between various countries.
This globalization leads to the following challenges:-

• Homogenization: Global media (predominanlty Western) can promote a uniform set of values and preferences, potentially weakening local traditions, regional languages and practices.
• Economic Disparities: Globalization has the potential to widen economic disparities, which can further impact social diversity as marginalised groups are further pushed into poverty.
• Erosion of Local Cultures: The influx of foreign investment and companies can disrupt traditional livelihoods and ways of life, particularly in rural areas. The focus on efficiency and standardization can lead to the decline of artisanal skills and knowledge associated with local cultures.

India's diversity in terms of of religions, languages, and ethnicities is a source of strength fostering creativity and a plural society. Embracing this diversity is key to building a stronger, united India with inclusive development. India’s states and regions also reflect this diversity in administrative setup allowing for good governance.

India has sought to foster this diversity also through Constitutional & Legal provisions allowing for secularism, equality, promoting affirmative action and fraternity. Diversity brings with it challenges like communalism and secessionism where diversity is used for divisive purposes. Diversity is also threatened by globalization as it homogenizes the world into Western ideas hence erasing regional cultures.

India can tackle these challenges through inclusive thoughtful policies which target equality, cultural preservation and socio-economic development. India's celebration of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat reflects this policy.