Ideas impact people and people impact ideas
It is my firm conviction that the Indian Way of life is the answer to our present—day strife torn world. In this piece I will expound on the concept of Unity in Diversity as it is practiced in India and how this worldview can bring people together across the globe. This world view, if embraced, in letter and spirit and in its totality, can help build bridges and iron out the schisms plaguing the world.
India exemplifies on how diversity, instead of dividing, can build strength in a world, where walls are common. India, with its rich diversity and unity, is a living embodiment of the age —old adage “Vasudaiva Kutumbakkam” (the world is one family).
Unity in Diversity is more than just a slogan, it is the very essence of Indian culture. India has a pluralistic ethos and its bedrock and core is Sanathana Dharma or the eternal way of life. This ethos has stood the test of time because it firmly rests on the substratum of Sanatana Dharma. It serves as a constant reminder that our common humanity binds us together, no matter how different we may be. India is marching forward with gusto into the 21st Century with the spirit of unity as its overarching principle. It has embraced modernity while cherishing its ageless tradition.
In a sense Vasudaiva Kutumbakam is very similar to the African concept of Ubuntu but goes beyond. Ubuntu meaning humanity describes a set of closely related African-origin value systems that emphasise the interconnectedness of individuals with their surrounding societal and physical worlds. Ubuntu is sometimes translated as “I am because we are “or humanity towards others. Philosophically it implies the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity.
Dictum on the seal of the United States is E Pluribus Unum meaning Out of the many, One! India’s equivalent is Binnatha mein Ektha—Unity in Diversity.
Exemplified by Swami Vivekananda’s speech at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago. He said “God is One. Religions are like the various rivers which merge into the Ocean. They are pathways to realise the Immanent Reality. Likewise, India is One and is a composite of disparate divergence
There is great diversity in our traditions, manners, habits, tastes and customs. Each and every region of the country portrays different, customs and traditions seemingly with a distinct flavour.
The breadth of diversity can be gauged from the following:
- 28 States and 7 Union Territories
- 23 major languages and about 1000 minor languages and dialects
- All possible religions with the possible exception of Shintoism
- Natural geography comprising of all landforms—mountains, rivers, plains and deserts
As someone said, “India is an eternal idea of an ever, ever land!”
This kind of amalgamation has spawned an ethos which is pluralistic in outlook and a worldview which is global, accommodating every shade and hue
India has been a syncretic culture which has absorbed and assimilated a lot of variety and strands and evolved its own distinct brand. This is visible in various manifestations like architecture, music, dress, literature etc.
Architecture has Mehrgarh, Indo Sarcenic, Gothic, Romanesque, neo-classical, Renaissance etc. You can see Le Corbusier in Chandigarh with his Art Deco and Sir Edwin Lutyens in Delhi with his Colonial Style.
Music—Hindustani, Carnatic and Sufi.
Medicine—Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathy, Allopathy, Naturopathy, Empathy and Sympathy!
Sometimes such diversity can be a bit confusing to an outsider and may be a bit chaotic at times and inspires bewilderment and awe. One of the erstwhile US Ambassadors to India and noted economist JK Galbraith was so overwhelmed that he is reported to have said that India is a functioning anarchy!
India though predominantly Hindu and by virtue of it being predominantly Hindu, has been a very tolerant society from times immemorial and has lived up to its Rig Vedic dictum which says : Let noble ideas come from all sides !
India has given refuge to the Jews during holocaust, Zorastrians when they fled Persia to escape persecution and a host of other asylum seekers.
Do you know that India is the only land where Jews were never persecuted. It is said when the Apostle Doubting Thomas, landed in Kerala, he was welcomed by a flute playing Jewish girl.
Even today His Holiness the Dalai Lama conducts his government in exile and peacefully promotes his Tibetan Buddhism from the foothills of the Himalayas in the tiny hamlet of Dharmasala in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh
When Deve Gowda was the Prime Minister, he came to address the nation on Independence Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi. What was so unique about the event? Before him other Prime Ministers addressed the nation 48 other times. The peculiar thing about this event was HD Deve Gowda addressed the nation in chaste Hindi as was the convention and Deve Gowda did not know a word of Hindi or understood it. In fact, 50% of India does not know Hindi or understand it, though it is the National Language of India. How did he pull it off? He had written the entire script in Kannada, his mother tongue.
A startling affirmation of India’s multiculturism and pluralism.
In fact, everyone is a minority in one way or another in India.
India, which is a shining exponent of the concept of “Live and Let Live” can be the beacon light of hope in this borderless world that we are now living in.
Patrick French in his book, India—A Portrait: An Intimate Biography of 1.2 Billion people says, “India is a microcosm and maybe the world’s default setting for the future!”
(The views expressed are personal and solely those of the writer)
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
🇮🇳 Sridhar Subramaniam explores how #India's ethos of "Unity in Diversity" offers solutions for a strife-torn world. 🤝 Discover how this worldview can unite people globally. 💬 Thoughts on this? Share below! 🌍 #TheIndianSun #UnityInDiversityhttps://t.co/coiTV4UBOA
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) August 30, 2024
Donate To The Indian Sun
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun is an independent organisation committed to community journalism. We have, through the years, been able to reach a wide audience especially with the growth of social media, where we also have a strong presence. With platforms such as YouTube videos, we have been able to engage in different forms of storytelling. However, the past few years, like many media organisations around the world, it has not been an easy path. We have a greater challenge. We believe community journalism is very important for a multicultural country like Australia. We’re not able to do everything, but we aim for some of the most interesting stories and journalism of quality. We call upon readers like you to support us and make any contribution. Do make a DONATION NOW so we can continue with the volume and quality journalism that we are able to practice.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Team The Indian Sun
