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Question
What is meant by cultural diversity? Why is India considered to be a very diverse country?
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Solution
- The term diversity implies differences rather than inequalities.
- When we say that India is a nation of great cultural diversity, we mean that there are many different types of social groups and communities living here.
- Different types of social groups and communities live here. There are communities with different cultural markers like language, religion, sect, race or caste.
- India is a pluralistic society. There is unity in diversity but its excessive diversity is becoming a challenge.
- When diverse communities (linguistic communities, religious communities, sects and so on) are also a part of a larger entity like a nation, then difficulties may be created by competition or conflict between them.
- Cultural diversity can present challenges which arise from the fact that cultural identities are very powerful-they can arouse intense passions and are often able to mobilize large numbers of people.
- Sometimes, cultural differences are accompanied by economic and social inequalities and this further complicates things.
- Measures to address the inequalities or injustices suffered by one community can provoke opposition from other communities. The situation gets worse when scarce resources like water, jobs or government funds have to be shared.
- 1632 different languages and dialects, different religions, diversity in climatic conditions and topography are causing serious challenges to the country.
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