Collegiate Times

There is but one truth; the learned call it by many names – Rig Veda

Come to think of it, I wonder what is the singular phenomenon that characterizes India? Or, to put it in another perspective, what is the first thing that strikes you when you see the word "India"" The Taj Mahal? Yoga? Diwali? Bollywood? Bangalore? These are just some of the common themes that reflect the phenomenon that is India. But what makes India, India? Or more fundamentally, what made India, India? It could be that India today is what it is because of the variety of monarchic influences it has had through its long history. From as far back as the Indus Valley civilization (2nd century B.C.) to the 19th century when British imperialism prevailed, India has embraced influences in development, religion and culture.

For instance, the highly efficient public transportation systems catering to the billion-plus Indian population today have their roots in the Industrial Revolution that occurred during British rule. Farther back, India owes a good part of its historic architecture and rich cultural and linguistic heritage to the giant Islamic monarchy, the Mughal Empire, which prevailed from 16th to mid-19th centuries.

The consequence has been that today, India stands as a country defined by pluralism in different dimensions.

In a country that houses the second largest population in the world, diversity of peoples is only natural. That is why one may not be able to generalize the social, cultural and economic traits of the Indian people whose presence is global.

Moreover, in the context of today's Information Age, the pluralistic characteristic of India is only increasing. In an age of globalization where communication is potentially reaching even remote villages, it might be evident how this diverse population has spread to various corners of the globe.

Today, it is both easy and likely to find at least one Indian connection in every department of an American university. Indians have gradually permeated into several parts of the world beating the barriers of country. One would find the Indian diaspora making it big in several places across the globe.

Lakshmi Mittal, chairman and CEO of steel giant Arcelor-Mittal, is one of many living examples. Another interesting example of the influence of India are the generations residing in Singapore who have been speaking and following the language and culture of the Indian state Tamil Nadu for decades without having been to India. A person from Tamil Nadu would feel at home as much in Singapore as in Chennai.

So one could say that the Indians have gradually blended into the larger, "global community" of the 21st century. Country is now merely a physical demarcation for administrative and economic purposes. It is not necessary for an Indian to "hail" from India.

It is just that Indian people are everywhere. This is how the concept of a geographical demarcation is slowly beginning to fade out and Indians are growing to become a worldwide population.

From this perspective, our friend was amazingly right. There is no "country" called India. There is only a phenomenon. And it is the people of India, who are the phenomenon! It is only the idea called India that binds them together. On the eve of India's 60th Republic Day, we need to understand that unity of India and the pluralism in its cultures are inseparable, that this is what makes India unique.

This uniqueness provides a hope for peace and coexistence in our world that seems more fractured and torn by conflicts.