The ethnic and cultural diversity in India has always been bound by the thread of unity. Discuss the major factors that have contributed to the cultural unity of India. (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks

Socio-economic milieu of India has diversity of sub-continental nature with different languages, cultures, traditions etc. Yet, there has always been unity in diversity, and imparts to Ek Bharat, Shaeshtha Bharat.

Factors

1. Common religious practices and sacred texts like Mahabhasat, Ramayana, Koran bind people together

2. Pilgrimages like Nathura to Tajnrath Puri to Dwarka to Rameshwar provide one sense of nation

3. Historically there has been cultural exchange of ideas like Adi Shankaracharya establishing four maths in different parts (Srinagar, Dwarka, Puri, Sringeri)

4. There has been flow of ideas from one part to another, eg: Kashi-Tamil sangam. Bhakti movement started in south and established foothold in north

5. Leaders like Ashoka, Chanakya aimed for one identity while also allowing sufficient decentralization in administration

6. Common sports, entertainment medium like cricket, Bollywood, Tollywood bind us together

7. Today, technology has been playing a major role in removing differences and unifying everyone (eg: one nation, one ration card)

8. Constitutional morality provides for unity & ingirty as well as cultural rights for minority.

A fine balance is required in regionalism and nationalism so that both complement each other in development under federal needed for sui-generic nature for Union of States (Article 1)