India’s cultural tapestry: Teaching children the value of diversity

M.R.Lalu

India is not just a country; it is a civilization, a cultural manifestation of generations that have survived through millennia. It has countless stories to tell of how it endured ruthless invasions and aggressions. It also has innumerable tales of its people who struggled to free themselves from the horrors of these invasions. Millions of lives were lost in the fight to ensure the nation’s survival, all while it continued to endure and uphold its diversity. India is still recognized as a land that has withstood the test of time. While many ancient civilizations crumbled and collapsed, India survived, largely through the strength of its cultural traditions. Indians from time immemorial nurtured and cherished these perennial values, even as waves of foreign and aggressive ideas sought to shatter our collective existence. From the Vedic period to modern India, the nation has witnessed remarkable progress in almost all fields. India made great strides in philosophy, science, mathematics, art, and literature. In each of these fields, India left an indelible impact. The world community, though slow to recognize it, has gradually acknowledged this contribution.

Our children must understand that they belong to a land that gave the world the concept of zero and taught its importance in mathematical calculations. They should know that Sanskrit, the most ancient language, is the mother of many languages and that the best spiritual wisdom available in the world is inscribed in Sanskrit. They should also understand the significance of Yoga and Ayurveda, systems that India dedicated to humanity. After centuries of relentless practice and propagation, both Yoga and Ayurveda have gained worldwide recognition as the best wellness systems. I strongly believe that our children must realize the immense impact of all things uniquely Indian, so that they may grow with a sense of pride and belonging.

India’s progress in the fields of philosophy, mathematics, literature, and science has been tremendous. From the Vedic period to modern India, it has produced remarkable individuals who are revered as great role models worldwide. The country’s spiritual wisdom is so profound that it believes truth can be manifested in multiple forms. This was an isolated thought that India held across centuries, and over time, the world has come to embrace this vision. From the Vedic sages to Mahatma Gandhi, generations of extraordinary individuals have championed this vision for the welfare of humanity, forming the foundation of India’s inclusiveness.

India is known for its ancient texts, such as the Vedas and Upanishads, and its epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata, which have reinvigorated the spiritual essence of people across the globe. These texts, with their philosophical depth and practical applications, remain among the most admired in the world. The characters they depict and the events they describe through literary brilliance continue to inspire people even today. Undoubtedly, they have played a pivotal role in the civilizational reawakening of India, helping its people uphold the best practices for the welfare of all.

India’s culture is vast and diverse, and the personalities who have upheld its greatness through the generations have left an indelible impact. Spanning spirituality, philosophy, politics, and literature, there have been many individuals whose dedication, intelligence, and service to society have preserved India’s diversity.  As a land of numerous beautiful languages and dialects, festivals, and traditions, India showcases its vast cultural tapestry, which exemplifies its diverse heritage. This diversity can be seen even in small neighboring villages, where festivals, festivities, dress codes, and cuisines vary. This uniquely diverse atmosphere places India among the most livable countries, which is a major reason why it attracts millions of people from other nations. For instance, the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj is a recent example. Its social inclusivity, organizational brilliance, and spiritual ambiance transformed this massive gathering into a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Most importantly, what separates India from the rest of the world is its cultural continuity. A country that has joyfully accommodated Western religions and faiths, India has also given birth to four major Indic religions. Its spiritual wisdom has consistently embraced other belief systems without exclusion.

India’s rivers, mountains, panoramic landscapes, and its abundant flora and fauna—all that India has and produces—stand out as uniquely remarkable. Politically, we have remained a fiercely patriotic people, consistently fighting for our independent existence. This struggle spanned centuries, from the days of the Mughals to the more recent British invasion. Throughout our battle to reclaim our presence and prestige, India lost a significant portion of its civilizational symbols and treasures. We lost many of our magnificent temples and beautiful languages. We lost entire generations to alien belief systems through conversions and persecutions. We also lost vast amounts of literature and books, many of which were either burned, buried, or stolen forever, taking with them their eternal values. There was great resistance from the people who came before us. Their fight for self-respect continued until we reclaimed it from foreign hands just a few decades ago. Our children must also understand that the freedom we often celebrate was won through immense pain caused by the division of this country. The landscape, which had remained culturally united from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean, was carved into separate parts along religious lines, giving rise to the enduring impact of intolerance.

Though every Indian state has its own unique customs, food, attire, music, and dance forms, these differences do not disrupt its existence as a strong nation. Our future generations should also be aware that we had great musicians, philosophers, scientists, and physicians. Ancient scholars like Aryabhata, Charaka, and Sushruta were pioneers in mathematics, medicine, and surgery. Over time, India has evolved into a vibrant democracy, with the world’s largest population mobilizing its democratic principles. Yet again, its principal contribution in the area of spiritual knowledge deserves great recognition. India has always spread the messages of peace, harmony, and self-realization. While many countries pursued territorial expansion through brutality toward their neighbors, India remained a friend to all. We have undoubtedly been the propagators of the pursuit of supreme knowledge that the world began to delve deeper. Preaching peaceful coexistence, Buddha chose to be born in India. Lord Krishna imparted his supreme knowledge of Karma, transforming the battlefield into a space for realization. The Bhagavad Gita, a gem of philosophy, addresses the most complex issues of life. The holy text has earned the status of a stress-buster and a treasure of solutions. Indic religions, in particular, brought to people the essence and pathways to enlightenment. Despite the challenges faced over time—through destructive wars, natural calamities, and economic slowdowns—India has survived and continued to progress rapidly, almost becoming one of the most powerful global players.

The idea of India cannot be conceived solely as an independent democratic system. It is, indeed, its civilizational unity as well. It is the diversity that evolves into its colossal unity, and the idea of India also stems from its past struggles and victories. As I mentioned, it is its ethnicity, culture, religion, language, and territory itself that Veer Savarkar defined as the fatherland and holy land of millions of people. Children should, of course, be taught that India represents the patriotic essence for which we live and are ready to die. This is the lesson we decisively learned from those brave hearts, whose blood sanctified the land further giving it the aroma of independence. We are a diverse nation, and our cultural ancestry, along with the constitutionally guaranteed freedom, should become the invisible thread that binds us together forever.

(Author is freelance journalist and social worker based in Kerala. The views expressed are personal opinion of the author.)