CBSE Class 6 Civics Ch 1: Understanding Diversity

Chapter 1: Understanding Diversity

Chapter Summary

• What is Diversity? Diversity means variety or being different. India is a land of many diversities. We speak different languages, eat different kinds of food, celebrate different festivals, practice different religions, and wear different clothes.
• How Diversity Enriches Lives: Living with people from diverse backgrounds teaches us about new traditions, foods, music, and ways of life. It makes our lives more interesting and vibrant.
• Understanding Differences: Differences can arise from various factors like geographical location, historical influences, and economic conditions.
• Geographical Influence on Diversity:
  • Ladakh: A cold desert in Jammu and Kashmir. People here rear sheep to produce Pashmina wool, which is highly valued. The region is historically important as a trade route where caravans carried textiles, spices, raw silk, and carpets. Buddhism reached Tibet via Ladakh. Islam was introduced more than 400 years ago, and there is a significant Muslim population.
  • Kerala: A state in the southwest corner of India. It is known for its spices like pepper, cloves, and cardamom. Its coastal location made it attractive for traders.
    • The Apostle St. Thomas is believed to have come here nearly 2000 years ago, and he is credited with bringing Christianity to India.
    • Many Arab traders also came and settled down here. Ibn Battuta, who travelled here a little less than 700 years ago, wrote a travelogue in which he describes the lives of Muslims.
    • Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India from Europe when he landed in Kerala.
    • Due to all these historical influences, people in Kerala practice various religions including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
• Unity in Diversity: Despite all these differences, India stands united. Our diversity has always been a source of our strength.
• Jawaharlal Nehru's Contribution: India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, coined the phrase "unity in diversity" to describe the unique character of India. He wrote in his book 'The Discovery of India' that Indian unity is not something imposed from the outside but "something deeper and within its fold the wildest tolerance of belief and custom was practised and every variety acknowledged and even encouraged."
• Indian National Movement: During the Indian National Movement, people from diverse backgrounds united against British rule. The British believed they could divide Indians because of their diversity, but Indians proved them wrong.
• Symbol of Unity: The Indian national anthem, composed by Rabindranath Tagore, is another expression of India's unity.

Questions and Answers

Q1. Draw up a list of the different festivals celebrated in your region. Which of these celebrate on the same date every year? Which of these do not?

Answer: This answer will vary depending on the student's region. However, a general example for a region might include:
Different festivals celebrated in my region are Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Holi, Durga Puja, Baisakhi, Onam, Pongal, etc.

Festivals celebrated on the same date every year:

• Christmas (December 25)
• Republic Day (January 26)
• Independence Day (August 15)
• Gandhi Jayanti (October 2)

Festivals that do not celebrate on the same date every year (their dates vary as per the lunar calendar or specific calculations):

• Diwali
• Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha
• Holi
• Dussehra (Vijayadashami)
• Durga Puja
• Pongal
• Onam
• Baisakhi

Q2. What do you think living in India with its rich heritage of diversity adds to your life?

Answer: Living in India, with its rich heritage of diversity, adds many things to my life:

• New Experiences: I get to learn about and participate in different festivals, cultural practices, and traditions from various communities.
• Broadened Perspective: It helps me understand different ways of life, thinking, and beliefs, which broadens my worldview and makes me more tolerant and accepting.
• Variety in Food and Language: I get to taste a wide array of delicious cuisines from different states and hear different languages, which can be fascinating.
• Appreciation for Unity: It makes me appreciate how, despite our differences, we are all part of one nation, fostering a sense of unity and national pride.
• Rich Knowledge: I gain knowledge about various historical events, geographical features, and the contributions of diverse people to India's development.

Q3. Do you think the term "unity in diversity" is an appropriate term to describe India? What do you think Nehru was trying to say when he coined the phrase "unity in diversity"?

Answer: Yes, the term "unity in diversity" is an extremely appropriate term to describe India. India is a land where people speak hundreds of languages, follow various religions, celebrate different festivals, and have distinct cultural practices. Despite these vast differences, there is a strong sense of togetherness and national identity that binds everyone. During the freedom struggle, people from all backgrounds united against the British, showcasing this unity. The national anthem and the Constitution also reflect this spirit.

When Jawaharlal Nehru coined the phrase "unity in diversity," he was trying to highlight that India's unity is not about sameness or uniformity, but rather it is an underlying unity that exists despite and even thrives on its immense diversity. He meant that the differences in religion, language, culture, and traditions do not divide Indians but rather enrich the nation, and people can coexist peacefully, respecting each other's distinct identities while remaining united as one nation. He believed that this unity was not imposed but was something deeper, allowing for the "widest tolerance of belief and custom."

Q4. Underline the line in the poem above that you think best reflects the underlying unity of India.

Answer: (This question refers to a specific poem provided in the NCERT textbook, which is not available here. Assuming the student is referring to the poem about the Jallianwala Bagh incident mentioned in the chapter, the lines that best reflect the underlying unity of India would be those that emphasize the collective grief, anger, and shared spirit of the people, regardless of their background, in the face of injustice.)

For example, if the poem talks about "the blood of Hindus and Muslims flowing together," or "voices from all corners rising in protest," these lines would best reflect the underlying unity of India, showing how people from different communities shared a common emotion and goal against the British rule.

Q5. List three ways in which you are different from the Class 6 student mentioned in the story 'Many Kinds of Diversity'. Do you think these differences affect your experience of going to school?

Answer: (This answer will depend on the student's personal background and the specific details of the story 'Many Kinds of Diversity' which describes two boys, Sameer Ek and Sameer Do, with different backgrounds.)

Assuming the story refers to differences like religion, economic background, and mother tongue, here are three possible ways I might be different from one of the Sameers (e.g., Sameer Do, who sells newspapers):

• Economic Background: I come from a middle-class family and don't need to work to support my family, unlike Sameer Do.
• Access to Education: I regularly attend school and have access to all necessary study materials and resources. Sameer Do couldn't attend school due to his circumstances.
• Language/Religion: My mother tongue and religious practices might be different from those mentioned for Sameer. (e.g., I might speak Tamil and practice Hinduism, whereas Sameer Do might speak Hindi and be Muslim).

Yes, these differences can significantly affect the experience of going to school:

• For Me: Because I don't face economic hardship, I can focus solely on my studies, participate in extracurricular activities, and enjoy a stress-free learning environment. My school experience is generally positive and unhindered.
• For Sameer Do: His need to work means he cannot regularly attend school, if at all. He misses out on formal education, the opportunity to interact with peers in a learning environment, and the skills needed for future employment. His daily struggle for survival directly impacts his ability to access and benefit from schooling.