CLASS - VI SUBJECT : CIVICS
TOPICS: CH - 1 DIVERSITY IN INDIA
CONTENT:
DIVERSITY
Diversity is the range of many people or things very different from each other. Differences help us to learn from one another and similarities help us to share. India is an example of diverse cultures and traditions. Even though India shows diversity, we Indians are united. Both similarities and differences bring an interesting variety into our lives. Diversity is nature's way of grooming us to adjust, learn and coexist.
REASONS BEHIND DIVERSITY
The reason behind the diverse nature of our country is its geography. India has mountains, rivers, thick forests and oceans. In olden times, the means of transport or communication were almost absent. Travelling from place to place was never easy. People took days or months to travel on horseback or camels and many times on foot. As a result, the people settled in a region and stayed on there for a long period of time. They developed their language, culture and traditions. This is how every region was rich in its art, literature and culture. Food habits were developed on the basis of food grown and spices used. For example, people living on the coasts were either fishermen or traders as sea offered fish and business through waterways. So, fish became their staple diet along with rich tapioca, coconuts and bananas. This gave rise to a diverse culture of people of different states or regions. The history of a place is the story of such generations that settled down in different places and enriched the culture and traditions. Similarly, the climate of a place also gives rise to diversity. Climate influences clothing , food, dances, music and other aspects of human cultural life.
ECONOMIC DIFFERENCES
Economic Differences between people mean the differences in amount of money or wealth they have. People are rich if they have lots of money. People are poor if they have little money which is not enough to give them food and a decent living. The differences in amount of money are visible in differences in clothes, lifestyles and even food habits. Economic differences lead to inequality making some people rich and many poor.
SOCIAL DIFFERENCES
Caste system and gender bias are two major social differences. They create inequality in the society. Caste system in India became an evil when the society was divided into caste during ancient times. For instance, a person born into a cleaner's family could not rise to a position of a teacher. After Independence, our government made laws to show that all human beings were born equal and they should enjoy equal opportunities. But even today in many villages and towns, the evil of caste system is followed. There is another evil in Indian society - discrimination against the girl child. A girl child is treated like a burden. Even today in villages and towns, the birth of a girl child is not welcomed. This is called gender bias. Now the government has made laws to protect the girl child and stop gender bias.
UNITY IN DIVERSITY
Unity amongst people living in different regions or states came along slowly. To begin with, natural disasters like droughts or even wars forced people to leave their homes and settle down in new places. A new place gave them a new lifestyle and challenges. But they adjusted well by learning and teaching. This gave rise to a mixed bag of new cultures.
INFLUENCE OF FOREIGNERS
History is a story of the past. Indian history tells us about foreign influences that added to our diversity. India was visited by foreign students like Hieun Tsang and many others. These foreigners brought their own cultures and traditions with them. They influenced our culture and we influenced theirs. Their religions , languages and dresses were introduced in our land. Urdu language was born from the blend of Hindi and Persian languages. Food and architecture showed same influence. Mughlai food and the architectural wonders like the Taj Mahal are proof of Persian influence.
FREEDOM STRUGGLE
India's freedom struggle is the best example of Unity in Diversity. In fact, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the one who gave the slogan Unity in Diversity which describes India most beautifully. Our National Flag , National Anthem , National Bird and National Flower are all symbols of this unity. The British thought that because Indians were from diverse backgrounds, they could be divided easily. Indians showed that diversity was not a weakness but a source of their strength. Despite different cultural, religious and regional background, Indian men and women came together in large numbers to fight for freedom. They marched and struggled together against the British rule.
GLOBALIZATION
The 20th century has shown a great deal of progress in coming communication, technology and transport. This has made it possible for us to overcome the geographical boundaries and change our lifestyle. A global network has been formed that links economies, societies and cultures. Information and ideas are being spread across the world as a result of globalization.
KEY TERMS:
discrimination: to make an unjust distinction in the treatment of different categories of people. diversity: a variety lifestyle : the way of living Staples : main or important monasteries : Communities of monks living under religious vows. tradition: a long established custom or belief passed on from one generation to another.
SOLVED EXERCISE:
True or false:
1) Information and ideas are being spread as a result of globalization. True
2) India is a land of diverse regions because of its geography. True
3) Urdu language was born from the blend of Hindi and Sanskrit language False
Question and Answers (Long answer type):
1) What are the reasons behind India being a country with diversity?
Ans 1) The reason behind the diverse nature of our country is its geography.
2) In olden times, the means of transport or communication were almost absent.
3) Travelling from place to place was never easy. People took days or months to travel horseback or camels and many times on foot.
4) As a result, the people settled in the region and stayed on there for a long period of time They developed their language , culture and tradition. Food habits were developed on the basis of food grown and spices used.
5) This gave rise to a diverse culture of people of different states or regions.
2) How do the influence of foreigners contribute towards the diversity of the country?
Ans History is a story of the past. Indian history tells us about foreign influences that added to our diversity. The foreigners brought their own cultures and traditions with them. influenced our culture and we influenced theirs. Their religions , languages and dresses introduced in our land. Food and architecture showed same influence. Mughlai food and the architectural wonders like the Taj Mahal are proof of Persian influence.
PRACTICE WORK SHEETS FOR THE STUDENTS TO BE SOVED:
Very Short Answer Type Questions:
1) India was visited by foreign students like ___________ .
2) Communities of monks living under religious vows are known as _________ .
3) What is diversity?
4) Who gave the slogan - Unity in Diversity?
5) What do you mean by globalization?
Short Answer Type Questions:
1) How did government tackle the evils of caste system?
2) What is gender bias?
3) What are the two factors that create differences in the society (with special reference to India)?
Long Answer Type Questions:
1) What are the effects of globalization in today's world?
Please click on below link to download CBSE Class 6 Social Science Diversity in India Worksheet
