Chapter 1- Understanding Diversity
Question 1
Draw up a list of the different festivals celebrated in your locality.
Which of these celebrations are shared by members of different
regional and religious communities?
Answer
The festivals celebrated in our locality are: Diwali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Republic day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Children’s day etc. Out of these festivals National festivals like Republic day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti and Children’s day are celebrated by all castes and religions.
Question 2
What do you think living in India with its rich heritage of diversity
adds to your life?
Answer
India is a country of diversity of –
- Caste
- Food
- Clothes
- Celebrations
- Ritualistic, etc.
Still a feeling of being Indian always remains in us. We all sing same National anthem. We all celebrate same National festivals, for us all religions are same and we respect all religions.
Question 3
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
Yes I believe that “Unity in diversity” is an appropriate term to describe India. India is country of diversity in terms of religions, foods, clothes, festivals, rituals etc. But still in everybody we can see a unity. Being an Indian we proudly sing our National anthem, we collectively celebrate national festivals like Gandhi Jayanti etc.
In Nehru’s book Diversity of India, Nehru ji also wants to say that we can see unity amongst people Of different caste and system. They can easily accept other customs and beliefs.
Question 4
Underline the line in the poem sung after the Jallianwala Bagh
massacre, which according to you, reflects India’s essential unity.
Answer
Don’t forget the days of blood, O friend
In the midst of your happiness remember to shed a tear for us
The hunter has torn away every single flower
Do plant a flower in the desert garden dear friend
Having fallen to bullets we slept in Jallianwala Bagh
Do light a lamp on this lonely grave O friend
The blood of Hindus and Muslims flows together today
Do soak your robe in this river of blood dear friend
Some rot in jails while others lie in their graves
Do shed a few tears for them O friend.
Question 5
Choose another region in India and do a similar study of the historical and geographical factors that influence the diversity found there. Are these historical and geographical factors connected to each other? How?
Answer
Region – Kerala
Geographical features – Situated between Lakshadweep and Western Ghats. It has a wet climate and seasonal heavy rains. The western coastal belt is relatively flat. This region is having many lakes and canals.
Geographical features – Due to coastal areas import and export were prevalent. This state has an equal population of Hindu, Muslim. Christians. Festivals like, Eid, Christmas, and Onam. The geographical features helped in the cultivation of species.