Question

Do you think the term "unity in diversity" is an appropriate term to describe India? What do you think Nehru is trying to say about Indian unity in the sentence quoted above from his book The Discovery of India?

Answer 1

India is a land of much diversity. Though this diversity is often a cause for several internal differences and squabbles, the sense of being ‘Indian’ overrides and dominates the differences, rising like a phoenix from the ashes of difference. What Nehru is trying to say is that the idea of ‘Indian unity’ is not something imposed from outside, though at first sight, this may seem to be the case. He says that the ‘Indianness’, the spirit of oneness is something that comes from within. This spirit of oneness is tolerant and accommodating; this is the spirit that enabled India to attain its diverse character.