Our life is really like the roller coaster. One has to come across many challenges, hurdles, ups and downs as well as the cheerful, happy, jovial side of the life, to know – what really is life? Or why I am here? Or what life is all about, that some people say it’s worth living…
We always try to curse the cosmic forces conspiring against us, when there are any difficulties strewn along our path. But instead of that we should try to bring forth the optimistic side of our life. Whatever is happening on this planet and in our life is a feature film and we play the role of the protagonist. In almost all the films, the hero or the heroine is shown to come across all the challenges and difficulties, which are eventually overcome, and they come out victorious. So, in that manner we should think that we will also overcome any thorns crossing our way.
Only the man with the right attitude and positive thinking can succeed in their life. The song of the soul is – “I am the master of my heart. Nothing can damage me but myself”. Even if one is entangled in the worst possible situation, one must not think of the problems but the solutions. Happiness is first an attitude. In fact, an optimist is never mentally sick. That is what the father of modern science, Sir Williams Osler said, “The cure of tuberculosis is more on what the patients has in his head than what he has in his chest”.
We can’t shut our eyes from reality. But the proportion of sorrow and joy is not much different from that of day and night. You can’t prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head but atleast you can prevent them from making nests in your hair.
I believe whatever happens, it surely has as reason or significance attached to it….and it’s definitely for the good.
By Aparana Chauhan
Thursday, 4 October 2007
Pluralism in India
India is the world’s most complex and comprehensive pluralistic society. The country harbours a vast variety of races, tribes, castes, religions, languages and customs. Pluralism in a society is presence of multi religious, multi ethnic, multi lingual and multi cultural categories. It is the cultural diversity that is India’s pride on the world map.
India has always been a pluralist people, even when it was an essentially Hindu civilization. Hinduism is most diverse religious tradition in the world, with its Vedic, Tantric, Shaivite, Vaihnav and other sets, both ancient and modern. It also provided the ground for the Buddhist, Jain and Sikh traditions. It spawned perhaps the greatest diversity of spiritual teachings globally.
The unique feature of the Indian life style is its unity- in – multiplicity. And to strengthen this unity, our constitution makers in their wisdom ensured a secular, democratic and cultural framework protected and guaranteed by law. Despite the diverse role played by the colonial power over two centuries and the handiwork of extremists and politicians who represent vested interest essentially, almost all communities live here in harmony.
Indians are connected through the profound and creative cultural symbols of identity and communication, food, ritual, clothing, music, dance, craft etc. In other words we connect through the pluralistic fabric of the society. Pluralism does have many practical problems too and it is not all smooth sailing in any pluralistic society.
In the third world countries, the failure of the nation to deliver the needs and aspirations of the people have made pluralism the major source of tension, conflict and violence. In an increasing number of cases, cultural minorities are converting themselves into political minorities in order to seek recognition and protection of their distinctive identities. Witness the history of Kashmir or the ethnic group in Manipur; or the power of ULFA in Assam.
The challenge therefore is to manage pluralism without giving up the goal of national integration and without further emasculating the state. Cultural pluralism can be best managed by the democratic framework.
By Aparana Chauhan
India has always been a pluralist people, even when it was an essentially Hindu civilization. Hinduism is most diverse religious tradition in the world, with its Vedic, Tantric, Shaivite, Vaihnav and other sets, both ancient and modern. It also provided the ground for the Buddhist, Jain and Sikh traditions. It spawned perhaps the greatest diversity of spiritual teachings globally.
The unique feature of the Indian life style is its unity- in – multiplicity. And to strengthen this unity, our constitution makers in their wisdom ensured a secular, democratic and cultural framework protected and guaranteed by law. Despite the diverse role played by the colonial power over two centuries and the handiwork of extremists and politicians who represent vested interest essentially, almost all communities live here in harmony.
Indians are connected through the profound and creative cultural symbols of identity and communication, food, ritual, clothing, music, dance, craft etc. In other words we connect through the pluralistic fabric of the society. Pluralism does have many practical problems too and it is not all smooth sailing in any pluralistic society.
In the third world countries, the failure of the nation to deliver the needs and aspirations of the people have made pluralism the major source of tension, conflict and violence. In an increasing number of cases, cultural minorities are converting themselves into political minorities in order to seek recognition and protection of their distinctive identities. Witness the history of Kashmir or the ethnic group in Manipur; or the power of ULFA in Assam.
The challenge therefore is to manage pluralism without giving up the goal of national integration and without further emasculating the state. Cultural pluralism can be best managed by the democratic framework.
By Aparana Chauhan
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