India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world and boasts of many ethnic groups following different cultures and religions. Being a diverse civilization, India is a land of myriad tongue with over 1650 spoken languages and dialects. Despite of different cultures, religions and languages, people of India live together with love and brotherhood. The immense unity in diversity makes India an example of cultural brotherhood. Each and every region of the country from Jammu & Kashmir to Kanyakumari portrays different customs and traditions. Since ancient time, the people of India have been living together and respecting all religions and cultures. Unity in Diversity is distinctive feature of this beautiful nation and binds people together in the bond of humanity and peace. The unforgettable struggle of freedom is an excellent example of India's Unity in Diversity, when the whole nation stood together at par the differences of cast and religions. The leaders of India's freedom movement Mahatma Gandhi, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Gopal Krishna Gokhle, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad and Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel had used the slogan Unity in Diversity to make the freedom fight successful. Read on to know more about India's Unity in Diversity.
The history of India's unity in diversity is remarkable and conveys a strong message that nation is above than any particular religion or culture. At present, approximately 1.22 billion people live together with love and harmony. India's cultural diversity can be traced back to the history when Mughals and other outsiders ruled India and brought in their own tradition and culture. The love bound people of India never opposed any civilization and embraced everyone with open heart. The Unity in Diversity of India justifies the fact that the people holding different views on life, religion, social, economic and political systems can make a civilized nation with their perception and cultured behavior. Indian people have been honoring saints, sages, religious preacher and philosopher since ancient time. For instance, the shrine of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer is given equal respect as of Vaishno Devi's shrine in Jammu.
There are selfish, uncultured people who previously tried and still trying to destroy the cultural unity of India. But, the ancient old immaculate bond of brotherhood proved all their attempts futile. The socio-economical development of India is dependent on its cultural unity and the ability to restrain an amazing diversity within itself. Iconic freedom leader Mahatma Gandhi had played an immense role in binding the people of different religion and cultures into a single bond of love and unity. Gandhi Ji came from a religious Hindu family but he had equal respect for other religions and always admired the principles of every religion. It was Gandhi Ji who dreamt about secular India and put his entire efforts in order to fulfill his dream. The unity of people in the freedom movement was the main weapon and forced the British Empire to relive India from their slavery.
The belief on spirituality and cultural power has played an important role in binding the people of India together in a bond of unity. Hinduism, which forms majority of India's population has either absorbed the foreign cultures or has influenced them largely. Freedom of expression has also a strongest component of India's unity in diversity. All these factors are deeply associated with the cultural diversity and unity of India.
India's cultural diversity and its immense power that set an example of cultural brotherhood in front of the whole world.