CHAPTER- 1 UNDERSTANDING DIVERSITY
NOTES
1. Diversity- Diversity refers to the differences among people based on aspects such as appearance, food habits, etc.
- Food habits, clothing, religion, language, etc., are aspects of diversity.
2.Inequality- Inequality means that some people do not have opportunities or resources like land or money that others have. Therefore, poverty and wealth are not forms of diversity; they represent the inequality that exists among people.
3. Caste system- This is an example of inequality. In this system, society was divided into different groups. People could not change the caste they were born into.
4. Diversity in India- India is a land of diversity. People here eat different types of food, celebrate various festivals, and follow different religions.
5. If we look at the history of different regions, we can see how continuous travel by people brought various cultural influences that contributed to shaping local life and culture. In this way, many regions became diverse due to their unique historical backgrounds.
6. How do historical and geographical factors affect the diversity of a region?
(A) Ladakh– A desert region situated in the mountains to the east of Jammu and Kashmir. Very little farming is possible here because there is no rainfall, and the region remains covered with snow for a long period each year. Very few trees grow in this area.
- People rear a special type of goat that produces Pashmina wool. Pashmina shawls are very expensive.
- The people of Ladakh carefully collect the wool and sell it to traders in Kashmir. Pashmina shawls are mainly woven in Kashmir.
- Buddhism reached Tibet through Ladakh. Ladakh is also known as Little Tibet.
- About four hundred years ago, people here were introduced to Islam, and now a significant number of Muslims live in this region.
- Ladakh has a very rich oral collection of songs and poems.
(B) Kerala- Kerala is a state located in the southwestern corner of India. It is surrounded by the sea on one side and hills on the other.
- The first traders to arrive in Kerala were Arabs and Jews. It is believed that Saint Thomas, a disciple of Jesus Christ, came here nearly two thousand years ago. He is credited with bringing Christianity to India.
- Ibn Battuta wrote in his travel accounts that the Muslim community was highly respected here.
- When Vasco da Gama arrived here by ship, the Portuguese discovered the sea route from Europe to India.
- Due to these historical influences, the people of Kerala follow various religions such as Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
- Cheena Vala– A fishing net that closely resembles Chinese nets.
- Cheena Chatti– A utensil used for frying.
- Kerala's fertile land and climate are very suitable for rice cultivation, and most people there eat fish, vegetables, and rice.
The geographical conditions of Kerala and Ladakh are completely different, but both regions have similar types of cultural influences in their history.
The cultural life of any region is often deeply connected to its history and geography.
7. India's diversity or plurality is considered a source of its strength.
- The songs and symbols that emerged during the freedom struggle reinforce our belief in diversity.
- It was Nehru who, while describing India's diversity, introduced the idea of unity in diversity.
- Our national anthem, composed by Rabindranath Tagore, is also an expression of Indian unity.
