We always take pride in saying that ours is a country where the unique trait of Unity in Diversity is present. We are culturally different and yet we can all identify ourselves as Indians. It is indeed true that there remains a bond, so strong that it helps the country united. I am a bit circumspect on this issue though. I don’t think our diversified cultural identity helps us to become a nation as strong as we should be given our geo political position and the delicate nature of the region surrounding us.
If we have a closer look at what we are facing, surely we will have something bigger than butterflies in our stomach. Maybe a dragon fly! On a serious note let us jot down the threats which loom over our heads. A) The North East region of our country has always been a battlefield of some sorts. So many people have lost their lives over the years. There are many extremist outfits operating in this region, ULFA being the biggest amongst them. What has been their demand? They want a liberated Assam (A self autonomous region). Similarly we have other groups operating from Nagaland, Mizoram etc. B) The Jammu & Kashmir problem is no news to us. It is a problem which already is in the limelight since we achieved independence. I need not write too much about it. Key point to note again is Pakistan’s stance that Kashmiris want a separate identity. They have their own ethnic uniqueness. A lot of times even we have contemplated giving Kashmir an autonomous identity. C) The Maoists across the country is yet another problem which we are facing and it seems to grow with each passing day. Again the reason for all these violence is their alleged ill treatment by the India government. D) Down south we have an entirely different kind of problem and this I think needs some long term care and attention. There is this uncomfortable feeling of ‘We’ being different from ‘Them’. To put it candidly, we term it as North Indians and South Indians. I don’t think we can continue on this path any longer. True, we are different in many ways but its time the feeling of oneness needs to be instilled amongst the masses. Don’t get me wrong here, I don’t mean to say that we are not united but there have been so many instances where it has been observed that people have tried to create differences.
So to put it together, we can see how delicate the country’s security situation is. If we add to it the external threats our worries gets compounded. The interesting point to note in all these threats is the demand for separate identities, autonomous regions etc. Is this the unity in diversity we are talking of? In fact the truth is a majority of the threats which looms or which have already taken place is because of the lack of unity amongst the people. It is the lack of identifying ourselves first as Indians and then keep our regional interests in mind. If we can take our national pride to the next level and stand against all anti national elements we ourselves can solve a lot of these threats. An urgent need is to put our regional aspirations to the back burner and concentrate on building a stronger country. The government on its part needs to do a lot. Give equal aids to every region of the country; provide education, health, jobs to the underprivileged. A holistic approach and an inclusive growth is the need of the hour. As Indians its time for us to realize the importance of being Indians.
If we have a closer look at what we are facing, surely we will have something bigger than butterflies in our stomach. Maybe a dragon fly! On a serious note let us jot down the threats which loom over our heads. A) The North East region of our country has always been a battlefield of some sorts. So many people have lost their lives over the years. There are many extremist outfits operating in this region, ULFA being the biggest amongst them. What has been their demand? They want a liberated Assam (A self autonomous region). Similarly we have other groups operating from Nagaland, Mizoram etc. B) The Jammu & Kashmir problem is no news to us. It is a problem which already is in the limelight since we achieved independence. I need not write too much about it. Key point to note again is Pakistan’s stance that Kashmiris want a separate identity. They have their own ethnic uniqueness. A lot of times even we have contemplated giving Kashmir an autonomous identity. C) The Maoists across the country is yet another problem which we are facing and it seems to grow with each passing day. Again the reason for all these violence is their alleged ill treatment by the India government. D) Down south we have an entirely different kind of problem and this I think needs some long term care and attention. There is this uncomfortable feeling of ‘We’ being different from ‘Them’. To put it candidly, we term it as North Indians and South Indians. I don’t think we can continue on this path any longer. True, we are different in many ways but its time the feeling of oneness needs to be instilled amongst the masses. Don’t get me wrong here, I don’t mean to say that we are not united but there have been so many instances where it has been observed that people have tried to create differences.
So to put it together, we can see how delicate the country’s security situation is. If we add to it the external threats our worries gets compounded. The interesting point to note in all these threats is the demand for separate identities, autonomous regions etc. Is this the unity in diversity we are talking of? In fact the truth is a majority of the threats which looms or which have already taken place is because of the lack of unity amongst the people. It is the lack of identifying ourselves first as Indians and then keep our regional interests in mind. If we can take our national pride to the next level and stand against all anti national elements we ourselves can solve a lot of these threats. An urgent need is to put our regional aspirations to the back burner and concentrate on building a stronger country. The government on its part needs to do a lot. Give equal aids to every region of the country; provide education, health, jobs to the underprivileged. A holistic approach and an inclusive growth is the need of the hour. As Indians its time for us to realize the importance of being Indians.
Note: Image taken from maplecroft
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