Diversification and Unification in Indian Social Identity

Abstract

India has more than two thousand ethnic groups, and every major religion is represented, as are four major families of languages(Indo-European, Dravidian, Austroasiatic and Sino-Tibetan languages). India is a vast country and has a long history. Its society has evolved through the ages and has also been affected by foreign influences giving it extreme diversity and made unity amidst diversity a characteristic of the Indian society. However, to understand the process, we need to understand the meaning of diversity, unity and pluralism as well as their relevance to the Indian society. Unity holds tightly together the various relationships of ethnic groups or institution in a detailed manner through the bonds of contrived structures, norms and values. The bond of unity in relation to India heritage in a certain underlying uniformity of life, have been reflected in the observations of many foreigners also. Unity amidst diversity is visualized in the geo-political sphere, institution of pilgrimage, tradition of accommodation, tradition of interdependence, emotional bond etc. One feature that is most often noticed about India is its unity in diversity. The various diversities evidenced in India, there are the bonds of unity which are located in a certain underling uniformity of life as well as in certain mechanisms of integration. Notwithstanding the various diversities evidenced in India, there are the bonds of unity which are located in a certain underlying uniformity of life as well as in certain Mechanisms of integration. That is the unity of common culture and tradition, common historical growth, common fight for freedom against the British rule, common allegiance to India and common loyalty to the Indian national flag.