Kumud MishraAIR 69 · CSE 2024 · 226 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening
The social fabric of India is diverse, distinct and vast with "plural and multicultural identities" reflecting "unity in diversity".
[The social fabric and the shaping of the identity]
I. Cultural diversity:
Body · points
→ The cultural customs traditions shape the social fabric and collective identity. Ex: the festivals like Holi, Diwali, Eid, Christmas shape the identities. → The cultural practices, folk arts, paintings forge solidarity. Ex: the
continutity between Hindustani and Carnatic music
→ The architecture, literature, philosophy shape the social fabric. Ex. Vesara style reflecting fusion of Nagara and Dravidian.
II. Linguistic diversity : → India is the land with diverse language and dialects. Ex: 22 schedule languages (8th schedule) and thousands of regional dialects.
→ However, at times it also creates challenges. Ex: Demand for linguistic reorganisation of states → Tulunadu.
→ It even leads to the idea of regionalism, separatism and 'sons of soil movement'.
III. The religious diversity : → There are about six minority communities and diverse religious practices. Ex: Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, etc.
→ It forges the identity of "collectiveness".
→ However, it also threatens the social fabric with "identity politics" and "communalisation of politics".
→ Its interaction with society, politics, economy results in both cooperation and contestations.
Close · a way forward
Thus, the need of the hour is to pursue mutual respect, acknowledgment, tolerance and accomodation as "united we stand, divided we fall".