a letter on the issue of national intregation
Answers
14th April, 2019
The Editor
The Times of India
New Delhi
Sub: Importance of National Integration
Sir,
I hope these lines find some space in your prestigious newspaper. I was one among a group of students who represented my state Uttar Pradesh in a national youth exchange programme in New Delhi. It was really an eye-opener. It made me realise how great India is in its plurality. The spirit of unity in diversity is really amazing. What a wonder is a country called India! Students from Mizoram, Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura presented a different world of the North-East that is fascinating as well as thrilling. Kashmiri, Dogri, Himachali students presented the splendours of a culture that throbs the valleys and foothills of the Himalayas. Only there, I realised the concept of the ‘Incredible India’.
It was a novel experience to see how students of different religious, regional, cultural and linguistic groups mingled together like one big family. It was a study in contrasts. Their complexions, traits, dresses, food-habits and ways of the life reflected a rich variety. But an underlying unity and national unity echoes in this seeming diversity. India is really incredible. Our diversity is also the strength of our unity. This spirit of national integration must be encouraged and promoted in every walk of life. We should learn to live like a family of 1.25 billion people transcending our regional, cultural, religious and linguistic diversities.
Yours sincerely
Maya/Mohan