FOUNDATION COURSE I

Multi-Cultural Society
• India is a multicultural and multi pluralistic society. It is a democracy
punctuated by religious plurality.

• Multiculturalism is defined as the state of co-existence of diverse

cultures. Cultures include racial, religious, linguistic differences,
diverse patterns of thinking and communication styles.
Multiculturalism aims at preservation of different cultures and their
identities within a unified society as a state or nation.
Multi-Cultural Society
Characteristics of Multicultural Diversity of Indian society:
1. Multi-Religion:
▪ India is a democratic, socialist and secular republic and has no state
religion.
▪ India is the birthplace of many world religions and all major world
religions are practiced here.
▪ In India, people of different religions and cultures live in harmony. The
message of love and brotherhood is expressed by all religions and cultures
in India through festivals.
▪ The major religions of India are Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity,
Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism and Judaism and the Bahai’s Faith.
1. HINDUISM:
• It is believed that Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world. It is world’s
third largest religion after Christianity and Islam
• Majority of Indians follow Hinduism. Bhagavad-Gita is the holy book of
the Hindus. Hinduism advocates the four main values - Dharma, Artha,
Kama and Moksha. The four are based on the understanding that the
humans have varied needs. The four values are:
• Dharma - refers to duties which individuals must fulfill Dharma also
includes virtues. A person with virtues will perform the duty with discipline
and dedication. Virtue leads to reflection over right and wrong.
• Artha - refers to a desire for power over nature and man;and also a desire
for wealth.
• Kama - means the desire for pleasure through five senses of sight,
hearing, touch, taste and smell under the control of mind.
• Moksha - refers to a state of liberation. Hindu culture prescribes two
stages in attaining Moksha:
• (a) Pravrtti Marg-consists of satisfaction of bodily needs and
enjoyment of desirable objects of the world.
• (b) Nivrtti Marg - which consists of developing detachment from
materialistic things of the world.
• Festivals: Holi, Diwali, Bihu, Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Pooja etc.
2. ISLAM
• It is the second largest religion in the world as well as in India.Its followers
are known as Muslims. They are divided into sub sections most famous
Shias and Sunnis.
• India has third highest Muslim population after Indonesia and Pakistan
• This religion does not believe in idol worship. It considers Prophet
Mohammed as the greatest prophet and the ‘Quran’ as the most sacred
book.
Islam prescribes five primary duties of a devout Muslim:
• Belief in Allah Prayers five times a day
• Giving of alms
• Fasting for a month every year (during Ramzan).
• Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime
Festivals: Eid Ul Fitr,Eid Ul Zuha,Muharram
3. CHRISTIANITY
• Christian faith was introduced in India by Apostle Thomas, who
reached Malabar Coast (Kerala) in 52 AD. The Christianity gained
roots in India especially after the Portuguese invasion in Goa in the
early 16th century and later by the British in the 17th century.
• The holy book of Christians is the Bible.
Christian religion is based on the 10 commandments of the Lord:
• You shall have no other God before me.
• You shall not take the name of your God in vain
3. CHRISTIANITY
• Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy.
• Honour your father and your mother.
• You shall not murder.
• You shall not commit adultery.
• You shall not steal.
• You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
• You shall not covet your neighbour's wife.
• You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor
• Festivals: Christmas, Good Friday, Easter
4. SIKHISM:
Guru Nanak ji was the Founder of Sikkhism in India during 15th Century
later nine Gurus who followed him preached against the hypocrisy in
religion(Caste system and Malpractices in the name of Religion). The holy
book of the Sikhs is Guru Granth Sahib.
• The religious symbols of Sikhism are five 'Ks":
• Kesh (hair)
• Kangha (comb)
• Kara (bracelet)
• Kirpan (sword)
• Kachha (shorts)
• Festivals: GuruParab, Baisakhi, Nagar Kirtan
5. BUDDHISM:
• Buddhists follow the teachings of Lord Gautam Buddha. About 85%
of Buddhists in India are located in Maharashtra.
• Hinayana and Mahayana are the two major schools of thought, Ove
Buddhism.
• Tripitaka is the holy book of Buddhism.
• Festivals: Vesak/Buddh Purnima/Birthday of Lord Buddha, Magha
Pooja Day, Loy and Krathong
5. BUDDHISM:
• The main aim of Buddhism is to attain Nirvana (ultimate, spiritual goal).
• Nirvana means to achieve enlightenment (perfect peace and happiness).
• The Buddha's teachings highlighted Four Noble Truths: All existence is
dukkha - Human life is full of struggle sorrow.
• The cause of dukkha is craving - Desire is the root cause of sorrow.
• The cessation of dukkha comes with the cessation of craving - Removal of
desire leads to removal of sorrow.
• There is a path that leads from dukkha - There is a path (Eightfold Path) that
helps to remove sorrow and attain nirvana.
5. BUDDHISM:
• The Buddha's 'Noble Eightfold Path' is stated as follows:
• Right view
• Right intention
• Right speech
• Right action
• Right livelihood
• Right effort
• Right mindfulness
• Right concentration
6. JAINISM:
• The followers of Jainism are mostly located in Maharashtra, Gujarat,
Rajasthan and Delhi NCR.
• Jainism is believed to have Originated in India in the 7th-5th Century
BC and was Founded by Rishabh Dev
• They follow the preaching of Lord Mahavira, Lord Mahavira is the
24th Tirthankar of Jainism.
• The texts containing the teachings of Lord Mahavira are called as
Agamas. Digambar and Shwetambar are the two sects of Jainism.
• Festivals: Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushana Parva,Diwali and Maun
agiyara
6. JAINISM:
The three guiding principles or 'three jewels' of Jainism are:
• Right Perception (Samyak Darshana)
• Right Knowledge (Samyak Jnana)
• Right Conduct (Samyak Chritra)
• In order to promote spiritual development and achieve liberation,
Jainism has laid down five main vows:
1. Ahimsa (Non-violence)
2. Satya (Truth)
3. Asteya (Not stealing)
4. Brahmacharya (Chastity or Celibacy)
5. Aparigraha (Renunciation or Detachment)
7. JUDAISM:
• It is the religion, philosophy and way of life of Jewish people. Judaism
is based on laws and commandments that God revealed to Moses on
Mount Sinai.
• The holiest book of Jews is Torah (set of five books of Moses).
• Jews are religious minority in India.
• Judaism was one of the first foreign religions to arrive in India in
recorded history. Of the total Jewish population in India, 50% lives in
Manipur and Mizoram and 25% in Mumbai.
8. ZOROASTRIANISM:
• The Zoroastrians or the Parsees follow the teachings of the religious
teacher Zoroaster. The principles of this religion (mentioned in the
Zend Avesta - holy book) include belief in afterlife and in the
continuous struggle of the universal spirit of good versus evil. The
Parsees are a very small minority and are mostly located in Mumbai
and Gujrat.
Characteristics of Multicultural Diversity of Indian society:

2. Multi-Lingual:
• India approximately have 1652 languages. However, the Constitution of has
recognized 22 major official languages. Hindi is the most widely spoken language
followed by Bengali and Telugu.

3. Caste System:
• One of the striking characteristics of Indian culture is the caste system.
Traditionally Hindu society was divided into four ‘Varnas’ based on the
occupation of an individual:
• Brahmin
• Kshatriya
• Vaishya
• Shudra
Characteristics of Multicultural Diversity of Indian society:

4. Intra-group Cultural Differences:

• There are intra-group difference. For instances, each caste has cub-castes with
sub-cultures. Even in the case of religion, there are intra-group cultural
differences.
5. Influence of the Western Culture:
• Indian culture came under Western Culture influence with the arrival of
Portuguese in Goa and later with the British, French and Dutch in other parts of
India in 16th and 17th Century. Due to the Western Culture influence several
changes can be noticed in Indian Culture w.r.t
Characteristics of Multicultural Diversity of Indian society:

4. Contribution from various Races:

• Indian culture has grown over the years due to the contributions from various ethnic
races:
• The Proto-Austroloid is also known as the Pre-Dravidian race that contributed to the art
of pottery, and cultivation. They developed the village culture based on agriculture.
• The Dravidians developed the city culture. They built the city of Indus Valley. Also,
certain social customs and traditions are inspired by the Dravidian culture that is being
performed by Hindus.
• The Indo-Aryans contributed to the Vedic literature. The bases of our present socio-
economic, cultural and religious ideas and institutions are greatly influenced by the Vedic
literature of the Aryans.
• The Islamic culture has influenced Indian society through architecture, dress, food and
cuisine, etc.
DEMOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION
• Demography is a study of different aspects of the population.
• India occupies about 2.4% (32.9 lakh sq.km) of the world's land area.
India is the seventh-largest country by area in the world.
• 60% of India's population lives in 6 states - UP, Maharashtra, Bihar,
West Bengal, MP and Tamil Nadu.
• It is estimated that by 2025, India will be the most populous country,
surpassing China.
• As of June 26, 2022, India's population was 1406 million or 140.6
crore.
DEMOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION
• India is a federal union comprising 28 states and 8 union territories, a total
of 36 numbers. Uttar Pradesh is the largest state by population & Goa is the
least populated state in India.
• Delhi
• Jammu & Kashmir
• Puducherry
• Chandigarh
• Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
• Andaman & Nicobar
• Ladakh
• Lakshadweep
DEMOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION
To understand the demographic composition of Indian Society the
following elements have to be considered:
• RELIGION
• CASTE
• GENDER
Caste system
in India
DEMOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION
CHARACTERISTICS OF CASTE SYSTEM:

1. Hierarchy:
The caste is subject to social and religious hierarchy. The caste
the system represents a hierarchical pyramid with Brahmins at the top
and a number of lower castes at the bottom, and thousands of other
castes and sub-castes in the middle of the pyramid.

2. Heredity:
The social status of an individual is determined by the caste in
which one is born. For instance, a child born in a Brahmin family is a
Brahmin and that in a Shudra family is a Shudra.
DEMOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION
3. Endogamy:
Caste system follows the concept of Endogamy. Endogamy is that
the practice of marrying within a selected social group, caste or
ethnic group; thereby rejecting others from outside the group as
unsuitable for marriage or for close personal relationship
Therefore earlier, inter-caste marriages were strictly forbidden.

4. Social Unit:
Each caste is a social unit, which is headed by a leader. The leader
of the group could punish people for violation of caste rules, through
imposing fine, giving corporal punishment, etc
DEMOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION
5. Localized Groups:
There is no uniform standard that evaluates castes all over the country. For instance,
a particular caste may be considered touchable in one region and untouchable in
another region.

6. Traditional Occupation:
In the old caste system, people of a particular caste followed a certain occupation,
which was handed over from one generation to the next. For instance, the
occupation of religious preachers was handed over from one generation to the other,
and also in the case of moneylenders, traders, etc
DEMOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION
7. Theory of Pollution:
The concepts of pollution and purity determined the relations between castes. This
theory refers that the lower castes were polluting the higher castes. The theory of
pollution and purity was created on the basis of 'Untouchability'. Dr. Ambedkar
burnt Manu Smriti symbolically in 1927 to destroy untouchability and caste
discrimination. People belonging from the lower castes were denied access to the
schools, place of worship, wells and other public places.
DEMOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION
• 8. Food Habits:
There were even restrictions regarding food habits. For example,
the pure Brahmins were restricted from consuming non-vegetarian
food and alcoholic drinks. Also, people were restricted from eating
and drinking from outside their own caste, especially in the case of
higher caste.
Gender wise composition of population
• In 2020, the sex ratio of the total population in India is 108.18 males
per 100 females. There are 717,100,970 or 717.10 million males and
662,903,415 or 662.90 million females in India. The percentage of the
female population is 48.04 percent compared to 51.96 percent male
population.
• Kerela has the highest gender ratio of 1084 females to 1000 males
• Haryana has the lowest gender ratio of 877 females to 1000 males
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GENDER RATIO IN INDIA
• It is to be noted that although the overall gender ratio has improved
in 2011 as compared to 2001, but the child gender ratio (0 to 6 years)
has declined to 614 females to 1000 males as against 927 females to
1000 males in 2001.
• Some of the reasons for skewed gender ratio are:
• Preference for male child in Indian societies.
• Practice of female foeticide.
• High infant mortality rate of females.
• Malnutrition of females, especially among the poor
• Diversity means having a range of people with various racial, ethnic,
socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds and various lifestyles,
experience, and interests.
• Diversity is a group of people who are different in the same place.
Diversity in India
• India is a nation full of diversities. You move from one place to
another, you will find a lot of diversity in Indian society in the two
regions, say diversities in language, food, clothing, festivals, music,
dance, etc.
SOCIAL DIVERSITY
• Social Diversity is the differences seen in a particular society in the
case of religion, culture, economic status etc. If the people of a
particular society belong to different religions, cultural backgrounds,
social status, economic status, linguistic environment etc., this
phenomena is called social diversity.
• It includes
1. LANGUAGE
2.RELIGION
3.CASTE
4.TRIBES
5.TASTES
LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY
• Five Fun Facts about Language Diversity in India
• 1.What is India’s national language?
• Surprisingly enough, they don’t have one! India has designated ‘official’
languages, specified ‘classical’ languages but no national language.
• 2.Which Indian language(s) boast more speakers in the whole world than
French or German?
• Hold your breath – it’s Hindi, Bengali and Marathi. Individually.
• 3.Which word is the second longest palindrome in the English language?
• India’s very own – MALAYALAM. It’s actually a Dravidian language spoken
in the Indian state of Kerala
• 4.What is the most computer-friendly language?
• According to NASA scientist Rick Briggs, Sanskrit is the most precise,
predictable and computer-friendly language
• 5. Which is the fourth most spoken language in the world, even
more than English?
• Hindi, India’s official language (after Mandarin).
• On Independence Day, let us also celebrate the language diversity of
India in addition to independence.
• India is one of the most linguistically diverse countries, ranking 4th
in terms of the number of language spoken.
• India presents a spectacle of museum of tongues.’
• Language provides a means for communication among and between
individuals and groups. Language serves as a vehicle for expressing
thoughts and feelings. And when it comes to diversity, language can
be a bridge for building relationships, or a tool for creating and
maintaining divisions across differences.
22 Major Official Languages
• In 1950, the states were reorganized on linguistic basis. As a
result, the domiciles of a particular state speak a particular
language
• There are 22 official languages recognised in 8th schedule of Indian
Constitution and 1200 dialects in India.
• 1652 mother tongues
– Hindi is the most widely spoken language.
– English is the language of official use.
– Tribal or Aboriginal language-speaking population is large.
The multiplicity of Indian languages may be in
the linguistic families such as:
(1) The Indo-Aryan : Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Assamese, Bengali, Oriya,
Guajarati, Marathi and Kashmiri belong to the Indo-Aryan speech
family.
(2) The Dravidian : The Dravidian linguistic group includes four
Southern languages namely, Tamil, Telegu, Kannada and Malayalam
(3) The Austric : The tribes of Central India speak Austric languages
(4) The Sino-Tibetan: the tribes of the North Eastern India speak the
Sino-Tibetan languages.
• The class system is universal in nature and one of the social aspect
of Indian society. It is mostly found that the class system refers to
the classification of people based on their economic position in the
society. It is the individual's economic achievement that is
considered rather than the birth in a particular family. However,
individuals born in wealthy and influential families have better
access to opportunities and resources.
• The classes are divided on the basis of economic classification -
upper income class, middle income class, and lower income class.
Each of the classes is further sub-divided into the For instance, the
upper income class is further sub-divided upper-upper class, upper-
middle class, and upper-lower class
• FACTORS TO DETERMINE CLASSES:
• Income and wealth – Income is considered as the earnings of
an individual and wealth is the sum of all assets - inherited
and acquired real estate, gold and precious stones, shares
and bonds, etc
• Level of education.
• Type of occupation.
• Material possession - luxury cars, lifestyles, etc.
• Locality of residence - high income group (HIG) society, MIG
colony, low, LIG colony, slums, etc.
• Status - which that an individual enjoys in the society
• II. Estate System
In the estate system a person’s social position was determined by
ownership, occupation and heredity status. Every level in this
system had its own established rights and duties. This system had
hierarchy depending on heredity and did not allow much movement
from one level to the other.
The estate system consisted of four groups:
• The Clergy
• The Aristocrats and Feudal Lords
• Traders Merchants and Craftsmen
• Serfs (Landless Peasants) and Slaves
REGIONAL VARIATIONS

Following are some regional variation in India:

Natural Resources
Difference in Literacy Rate
Urbanization
Spatial Distribution of Industries
Employment pattern
Inter-state disparities in Agricultural
Industrialization
Population below poverty line
Rural Characteristics
Rural Community is an area which is under development and not
civilized, based on geographical conditions. Following are the
characteristics of the rural community
1. Social Stratification:
In rural society, social stratification is a traditional
characteristic, based on caste. The rural society is divided
into various sections on the basis of caste.
2. Social Interaction:
The frequency of social interaction in rural areas is lower
than in urban areas. However, the interaction level
possesses more stability and continuity. The relationships
and interactions in the primary groups are intimate. The
family fulfils the needs of the members and exercises
control over them.
It is the family, which introduces the members to the
customs, traditions and culture of the society.
• 3. Social Mobility:
• In rural areas, mobility is rigid as all the occupations are
based on caste. Shifting from one occupation to another is
difficult as caste is determined by birth. Thus, caste
hierarchy determines the social status of the rural people.

• 4. Homogeneity of Population:
The village communities are homogenous in nature. Most of
their inhabitants are connected with agriculture and its allied
occupations, though there are people belonging to different
castes, religions and classes.
• 5. Joint Family:
Another characteristic feature of the rural society is the joint
family system. The family controls the behaviour of the
individuals. Generally, the father is the head of the family
and is also responsible for maintaining the discipline among
members. He manages the affairs of the family.
6. Size of the Community:
The village communities are smaller in area than the urban
communities. As the village communities are small, the
population is also low.
• 7. Density of Population:
As the density of population is low, the people have
intimate relationships and face-to-face contacts with each
other. In a village, everyone knows everyone.

• 8. Agriculture is the Main Occupation:

Agriculture is the fundamental occupation of the rural
people and forms the basis of rural economy. A farmer has
to perform various agricultural activities for which he needs
the cooperation of other members. Usually, these members
are from his family. Thus, the members of the entire familyshare
agricultural activities. That is the reason why Lowry
Nelson has mentioned that farming is a family enterprise.
• 9. Close Contact with Nature:
The rural people are in close contact with nature as most of
their daily activities revolve around the natural
environment. This is the reason why a rural person is more
influenced by nature than an urbanite. The villagers
consider land as their real mother as they depend on it for
their food, clothing, and shelter.
• Urban Characteristics
Urban Community is an area which is developed and civilized,
based on geographical conditions. Following are the characteristics
of the urban community
1. Size:
As a rule, in the same country and at the same period, the size of an
urban community is much larger than that of a rural community. In
other words, urbanity and size of a community are positively
correlated.
• 2. Density of population:
• Social distance is the result of anonymity and heterogeneity. Most
of one’s routine social contacts in a town or city are impersonal and
segmentary in character. In the urban community social responses
are incomplete and half hearted. There is utter lack of personal
involvement in the affairs of others.

• 3. Family:
So far as urban community is concerned, greater importance is
attached to the individual than to the family. Nuclear families are
more popular in urban areas.

• 4. Marriage:
In case of urban community there is a preponderance of love
marriages and inter-caste marriages. One also comes across a
greater number of divorces. Sons and daughters enjoy considerable
freedom in choosing their life partners
• 5. Occupation:
In the urban areas, the major occupations are industrial,
administrative and professional in nature. Divisions of labour and
occupational specialization are very much common in
towns/cities/metropolises.

• 6. Class extremes:
“Class extremes characterize the city.” A town and a city house the
richest as well as the poorest of people. In a city, the slums of the
poor exist alongside the palatial bungalows of the rich, amidst the
apartments of the middle class members. The most civilized modes
of behaviour as well as the worst racketeering are found in the
cities.
• 7. Social heterogeneity:
If villages are the symbol of cultural homogeneity, the cities
symbolize cultural heterogeneity. The cities are characterized by
diverse peoples, races and cultures. There is great variety in regard
to the food habits, dress habits, living conditions, religious beliefs,
cultural outlook, customs and traditions of the urbanites.
• 8. Social distance Social distance is the result of anonymity and
heterogeneity. Most
of one’s routine social contacts in a town or city are impersonal and
segmentary in character. In the urban community social responses
are incomplete and half hearted. There is utter lack of personal
involvement in the affairs of others.
• 9. Mobility:
The most important feature of urban community is its social
mobility. In urban areas the social status of an individual is
determined not by heredity or birth but by his merit, intelligence
and perseverance. Urbanity and mobility are positively correlated.
10. Materialism:
In the urban community the social existence of man revolves round
wealth and material possessions. The worth of an urbanite today is
being judged not by what he is but by what he has. Status symbols
in the form of financial assets, salaries, costly home appliances
count a lot for the urbanites
11. Individualism:
The urbanites attach supreme importance to their own welfare and
happiness. They hesitate to think or act for the good of others.
12. Rationality:
In urban community there is emphasis on rationality. People are
inclined to reason and argue.
Tribal Characteristics

• Tribal people live within a definite topography and it is a common

place for all the members of a particular tribe occupying that region.

• In the absence of a common but definite living place, the tribals will
lose other characteristics of a tribal life, like common language, way
of living and community sentiment etc.
• Sense of Unity:
Unless and until, a group living in a particular area and using that area as a
common residence, does not possess the sense of unity, it cannot be called
a tribe. Sense of unity is an invariable necessity for a true tribal life. The
very existence of a tribe depends upon the tribal’s sense of unity during
the
times of peace and war.
Endogamous Group:
Tribal people generally do not marry outside their tribe and marriage
within the tribe is highly appreciated and much applauded. But the
pressing effects of changes following the forces of mobility have also
changed the attitude of tribals and now, inter-tribe marriages are
becoming more and more common
• Common Dialect:
Members of a tribe exchange their views in a common dialect. This
element further strengthens their sense of unity.

• Ties of Blood-relationship:
Blood-relation is the greatest bond and most powerful force inculcating
ense of unity among the tribals.
• Protection Awareness:
Tribal people always need protection from intrusion and infiltration and for
this a single political authority is established and all the powers are vested
in this authority. The safety of the tribal is left to the skill and mental
power of the person enjoying political authority. The tribal chief is aided
by a tribal committee, in the events of contingencies. Tribe is divided into
a number of small groups and each group is headed by its own leader. The
chief of a group works according to the directives received by him from
the tribal chief.
• Distinct Political Organization:
Every tribe has its own distinct political organisation which looks after the
interests of tribal people. The whole political authority lies in the hands of
a tribal chief. In some tribes, tribal committees exist to help the tribal chief
in discharging his functions in the interests of the tribe.

• Common Culture:
Common culture of a tribe springs out from the sense of unity, common
language, common religion, common political organisation. Common
culture produces a life of homogeneity among the tribal.
• Importance of Kinship:
Kinship forms the basis of tribal social organization. Most tribes are
divided into exogamous clans and lineages. The marriage among tribals is
based on the rule of tribal endogamy. Marriage is viewed as a contract and
there are no prohibition on divorce and remarriage.

• Egalitarian Values:
The tribal social organization is based on the egalitarian principle. Thus
there are no institutionalized inequalities like the caste system or sex
based
inequalities. Thus men and women enjoyed equal status and freedom.
However some degrees of social inequality may be found in case of tribal
chiefs or tribal kings who enjoy a higher social status, exercise political
power and possess wealth.
RACES AND ETHNICITY
• Caste vs Race Vs Ethnicity
• The following are differences between caste, race, and ethnicity.
• Caste is a social division based on social hierarchy and inherited by birth
• Race is a biological division based on physical characteristics.
• Ethnicity is a social and cultural concept having similar cultural practices.
• Some social differences such as caste and race we inherit from birth and
we can not change or we do not have a choice.
• Some social differences such as ethnicity or religion we can change or we
do have the choice to change them.
1.Negrito(Habsi)

• Most ancient and earliest people to come to India

Came from: Africa, Australia & nearby islands

• Settled in: Kerala (Kadar, Irula & Puliyan) &

Andaman Islands.

• Features: Black (dark) skin, woolly hair, slightly

protruded jaws.
• 2. Proto- Australoids or Austrics:

• They were the next to arrive in India after Negritos.

• Sources are Australian Aborogines.
• Came from: South-East Asia.
• Settled in: Central India from Rajmahal hills to
Aravalis.
• Features: Wavy hair, brown bodies,broad head,
thick jaws, noses with low and broad roots, large
teeth, small chin.
• Contribution: Development of Indian culture, art of
pottery, cultivation of fruits and vegetation,
weaving cotton cloth. They developed the village
culture.
• Central Indian Tribal such as Gonds, Bhil, Santhal, and Dravidian belongs to the Proto
Austro race.
•
• 3.Mongoloids (Kirat):
• Came from: North East china via Tibet.
• Very rich ethnic diversity
• Each tribe is different from others ethnically.
• Settled in: Northern eastern parts of India like
Assam, Nagaland, Bhutan, Manipur, Tripura,
Sikkim, Ladakh, West Bengal.
• Features: Yellowish complexion, flat face, almond
shaped eyes, high cheekbones, thin hair, medium
height.
•
• Some examples of Mongoloid Ethnic group:
• Arunachal Pradesh:
• Ahoms,
• Apatani
• Karbi
Assam
Bori
Mishmi
• Bodo
• Naga in Nagaland
• Meitei in Manipur
• Mizo in Mizoram
• 4.Dravidians/ Mediterranean:

• Came from: South West Asia.

• Dravidian language is the mother of South Indian

languages.

• They have sub groups like the Paleo-

Mediterraneans, the true Mediterranean & the
oriental Mediterranean.

• Settled in: Northern, western of South India.

• Contribution: Built up the city civilization of the

Indus valley. They developed the city culture
• 5.The Western Brachycephals:
Includes:• Alpinoids• Dinarics• Armenoids
Parsis & Kodavas also fall in this category.
• Settled in: Western side of India such as the Ganga
Valley and the Delta, parts of Kashmir, Kathiawar,
Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu.
• Features: Light brown skin, broad headed, face and
nose is long, stature is tall.
• 6.The Nordic Aryans or Indo Aryans:

• Last one to immigrate to India.

• Came from: Taiga and Baltic regions.
• Settled in: Northern and Central part of India such
as regions of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and
Jammu.
• Features: Fair complexion, sharp nose, long head,
well built body.
• Contribution: Vedic Literature, base of our present
social, economic, cultural and religious ideas and
institutions are adapted by Vedic literature of the
Aryans
Examples Punjabi, Jats, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Marathi, Gorkha, etc
• Apart from the above races, the Islamic culture has
contributed architecture, art, calligraphy, dress
(shalwar, kameez & dupatta which has been worn by
other women and girls belonging to various race or
religion), food and cuisine, etc
• Diversity: Diversity refers to the differences that exist
among individuals such as race, gender, religion, sexual
orientation, socioeconomic background, and ethnicity.
• Multiculturalism: Multiculturalism is when multiple
cultural traditions are not only accepted in the society
but also promoted.
DIVERSITY VS MULTICULTURALISM

Diversity: Multiculturalism
1.In diversity, differences are 1.In multiculturalism, differences are
acknowledged accepted
2.People are fully aware of the
2.People are not aware of the power differential among different
power differential groups and individuals.
3.Diversity prevents 3.Multiculturalism not only prevents
discrimination discrimination but leads to
understanding as well.
4.Diversity does not lead
4.Multiculturalism leads to
inclusiveness. inclusiveness
STATE POLICY, SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE AND ROAD BLOCKS
TOWARDS APPRECIATION AND PROMOTION OF DIVERSITY
• Unity in diversity
• Unity in diversity relates to the state of togetherness or integrity
despite the presence of infinite diversity. Unity in diversity is based
on the concept where the individual has variations in physical
qualities, skin colour, caste,creed, cultural and religious traditions,
etc. are not seen as a dispute.
• This term was given by Jawahar Lal Nehru
• Since the late 16th century India was under the influence of the
British Empire until 15th August 1947 the day when India gained
independence.
• India is a land of diverse cultures regions and
communities.
• There is great diversity in our traditions, manners,
habits, tastes and customs. Each and every region of the country
portrays different customs and traditions. But though there are
different languages yet here is underlying unity in culture in terms of
lifestyle religion, scriptures custom.
• Unity in Diversity has been the
distinctive feature of our culture There has been active participation
from people of different caste and religion in our struggle for
freedom
• But unfortunately this peace and understanding among different
communities has been endangered Iately. India at present in facing
many problems The biggest of these is the problem of
Communalism. In their personal fight destroying their own life only.
In fact, it is the biggest threat to humanity and to the unity and
integrity of the country
SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE TOWARDS APPRECIATION AND
PROMOTION OF DIVERSITY
• Measures involved for eradicating roadblocks towards appreciation
and promotion of diversity that adds to social acceptance in the
country:
▪ Emphasis on value-oriented education with focus on the
values of peace, non-violence, compassion, secularism and
humanism as well as developing scientific temper and
rationalism as core values in schools and colleges/Universities, can
prove vital in preventing communal feelings.
▪ People should be reminded about the moments when Hindus,
Musilms and Sikhs were combined to safeguard the interest of
the country that results into transmission of the past history.
• There is a need for minority welfare schemes to be launched
and implemented efficiently by administration to address the
challenges and various forms of discrimination faced by them
in jobs, housing and daily life.
• All the political parties that support a specific religion should
be abolished or banned by the government. Even the non-
political organisations should be kept in constant observation
to avoid communalism.
• Through the use of mass media there should be awareness
created regarding communalism, regionalism, linguism,
casteism and inequalities created and change the attitudes
and minds of the people. If direct and indirect appeals are
made highlighting the idea of equality of opportunity to every
region for their development and the concept of national unity
through various programmes like ‘Mera Bharat Mahan’,
people would be motivated to cut down on regional
boundaries and come together for national development.
• There should be efforts for the economic development of the
country to eradicate poverty which would not let people be
encouraged into evil acts like communalism, regionalism,
casteism, linguism etc.
▪ There should be measures taken to ensure national
integration by joint celebration of festivals, cultivating a
sense of respect of religious beliefs, etc
• There is need to reform in present criminal justice system,
speedy trials and adequate compensation to the victims which
may act as deterrent
• ▪ Specialised training for the police force to handle communal
riots and setting up special investigating agencies can help in
damping major communal disgruntlement.
▪ One of the major causes of regionalism is regional
imbalance.There should be a proper balanced distribution of
national resources that would mitigate the dissatisfaction of
people in certain regions resulting into regionalism
• Messages of brotherhood, religious tolerance and secularism
should spread using mass media both print and other
mediums. (Eg: Tanishq ad that ran its Ekatvam campaign is a
very good example that showed different communities
coming together to celebrate the beauty of oneness. However
it took back its film after been strolled on social media for
hurting the sentiments of the Hindu religion).
• ▪ Specialised training for the police force to handle communal
riots and setting up special investigating agencies can help in
damping major communal disgruntlement.
▪ One of the major causes of regionalism is regional
imbalance.There should be a proper balanced distribution of
national resources that would mitigate the dissatisfaction of
people in certain regions resulting into regionalism.
▪ Messages of brotherhood, religious tolerance and secularism
should spread using mass media both print and other
mediums. (Eg: Tanishq ad that ran its Ekatvam campaign is a
very good example that showed different communities
coming together to celebrate the beauty of oneness. However
it took back its film after been strolled on social media for
hurting the sentiments of the Hindu religion).
• ▪ Government can adopt models followed by countries like
Malaysia that has developed early-warning indicators to
prevent racial clashes.
The Malaysian Ethnic Relations Monitoring System
(known by its acronym Mesra) that makes use of a quality of
life index (included criteria such as housing, health, income
and education) and a perception index to gauge people’s
needs and feelings about race relations in their area.
▪ Also the Hong Kong model of combating communalism by
setting up a “Race Relation Unit” to promote racial harmony
and facilitate integration of ethnic minorities, can be emulated
by India.
▪ RRU has established a hotline for complaints and inquiries on
racial discrimination. Meanwhile, to create awareness about
communal harmony, RRU talks to schools on culture of
ethnic minorities and concept of racial discrimination
ROADBLOCKS TOWARDS APPRECIATION AND PROMOTION
OF DIVERSITY
• Economic Causes: Uneven development, class divisions, poverty
and unemployment aggravate insecurity in the common men
which make them vulnerable to political manipulation.
• Past History: After Independence India was partitioned. The rise
to India as Hindu state came after the creation of Pakistan as a
Muslim state. After partition, millions of people were forced to
move from both sides of the border. Hindus in Pakistan and
Muslims in India were killed in great numbers. However, still the
problem of communalism is continued creating a block towards
appreciation and promotion of diversity.
• Politics – Communalism is often defined as a political doctrine
that makes use of religious and cultural differences in achieving
political gains. Especially during election, people give vote to
their community leaders which leads to communalism. Political
parties give place to regional problems in their election policy and
promise for political and regional development. Some political
parties have captured power in some states like the DMK, Telugu-
Desam, Akali Dal in Punjab, Jharkhand party in Bihar and many
others have posed threat to the country.
• Cross-Border Factors: Tensions in India is created due to our
neighboring countries. These countries try to create communal
and regional problems in the Border States. It needs to be
removed or the roadblocks towards the promotion of diversity is
likely to stay in India. Language problems have created tensions
in the boarder which are bilingual. For example, the Goans are
divided on the basis of Konkani and Marathi languages.
▪ History of Communal Riots – Probability of recurrence of
communal riots in a town where communal riots have already
taken place once or twice is stronger than in a town when such
riots have never occurred.
▪ Psychological Factors – The lack of inter-personal trust and
mutual understanding between two communities often result in
perception of threat, harassment, fear and danger in one
community against the members of the other community , which
in turn leads to fight, hatred and anger phobia.
▪ Role of Media – It is often accused of sensationalism and
disseminates rumours as "news" which sometimes resulted into
further tension and riots between two rival religious groups
• Religious conversion: Every Indian has the right to follow any
religion. But when conversion is made by granting facilities like
money, education or any service it creates communal riots.
• Desire for regional Independence: Regional parties want to have
greater independence and improve living conditions of their own
people.
• Unbalanced regional development: There are certain regions in
India where industries and infrastructure development have been
concentrated, educational institutions, sanitation and medical
facilities are provided, communication network and agricultural
sector has been developed. However there are many regions where
the worth of independence needs to be realized and there is low rate
of economic growth. This causes economic negligence amongst the
regions.
• • Make Hindi as national language: The efforts of the Central
government to make Hindi the national language led to widespread
agitations as the southern states thought this was a major step to
impose their will on them. People opposing this idea were
• considered as preserving their own culture or regional languages
but later it turned into a political matter.
• Sharing of river water: There has been disputes between the states
over the sharing of river water.
Examples:
a) Narmada River: Disputes regarding the use of water resources in
the states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
b) Kaveri River: Disputes between the states Tamil Nadu, Kerala and
Karnataka.
c) Krishna River: Disputes arose among the states of Maharashtra,
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh over the use and distribution of
waters of Krishna river.
• • Rise to Untouchability:
In the name of religion, the lower castes suffered from
untouchability. The untouchables suffered from various disabilities
like economical, social, political and religious. The Sudras were not
allowed to use the public places like wells, ponds, places of
worship, etc. The Sudra women were not allowed to dress up like
the Brahmin women.
• Women in a lower and poor status:
The women were completely neglected in due to the caste system.
They had to follow a conservative and traditional living. They were
denied of educating themselves or voice their opinions in any
public affair.
• • Literacy:
Though there has been an improvement in the overall literacy rate
and school participation rate in the country, there has been illiteracy
that still exists among the lower castes which is a major roadblock
towards promotion of diversity.
• False sense of prestige among higher castes.
The higher castes were considered as the intellectual class which
made them feel that they had the monopoly of wisdom. They
considered all other castes were under them and they were superior
of all.