Context:

• Few practices like the demand of dietary restrictions or of proscribing attire or practices are unnecessarily gaining prominence by the society which is affecting India’s multiculturalism. 

About Multiculturalism:

• Definition: It refers to the state of a society in which there exists numerous distinct ethnic and cultural groups seen to be politically relevant.
• India’s Multicultural Fabric: 
  • Being multicultural, which India organically is, is not just a virtue to be sought and nurtured, but is also a valuable advantage.
  • With this awareness and familiarity comes in-built tolerance, an asset for any country’s ‘ease of doing society’.
  • Being comfortable with various cultures means not being a novice about varying behaviours and practices.
• Difference of Indian Multiculturalism from Others: 
  • A Salad-Bowl Model: Unlike many other societies, India has historically and geographically been hardwired to a ‘salad bowl’ model where differentiation is not the same as discrimination.
  • Familiar with Practices and Rituals: People here aren’t confused with every encounter they may be unfamiliar with, such as a hijab, or a swastik, because India breeds familiarity with different cultures, peoples, practices, etc.
  • Encouraging and Progressive Environment: Multiculturalism actually encourages enterprise, smooth functioning and the advantage that comes with seamless, friction-free interaction.
• Significance: Multicultural people are generally more accepting and sensitive to other cultures and a multicultural workforce can enhance an ease of doing work with ease of doing society.

Conclusion: 

Rather to become antithetical, there is a need to address the problems at societal level, in which the communities have to take part in conservation of their diversity that is part of India’s cultural wealth.

News Source: The Economic Times

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