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What is a society?
A society is an aggregation (sum) of all the human relations based on some common characteristics,
tradition, norms and values. A society can be called homogeneous (e.g. Arab nation, Japan) or
heterogeneous (e.g. India, US) based on the elements of diversity. Practically no well-developed
society across the world can be called homogeneous as some form of difference do exist in all of them.
Example of assimilation:
About 197 languages/dialects are endangered in India (1)
Struggle of many tribes such as Naga for protecting their culture from outsiders
Caste like system adopted by Islam in India (foreign conquerors - Ashraf and the local converts -
Ajlaf)
Examples:
While many modern gyms have opened across the nation, yoga has only gained more popularity in
the recent time as evident from the declaration of 21st June International Yoga Day by UN
Western food is equally popular as Indian food. So is the case with dance, music, cuisines, dress
etc.
While western medicines have gained ground in India, Indian system of medicine (AYUSH) has not
lost its charm
While nuclear families have become the new norm, family values like taking care of elderly have
remained intact
Spirituality and religiosity continue to be an important part of peoples’ lives despite growing
materialism
Unity in Diversity:
When India got independent many political thinker had commented that number of days of Indian
democracy are numbered since society as diverse as India will ultimately have to make way for small
homogeneous independent states. There are:
2. The Indian national movement: rule of congress such as meeting shall be held in different part of
nations; British railways, telegram, army, Indian press, major movements like non-cooperation that
promoted mixing of people. This all led to development of Indian identity.
3. Values espoused in the constitution which have protected the growth of majoritarianism in the nation
4. State reorganization based on language and efforts of government to protect the interest of minorities
Examples:
High levels of migration across the nation despite the wise cultural differences
Ugadi festival of Andhra – Muslims here offer prayers to the Vaishnav deity (3)
Major festivals like Diwali, Eid and Christmas are celebrated across the nation with equal fervor
Flourishing metro cities like Delhi, Bangalore etc. with cosmopolitan culture
Caste and Class:
The Indian society mostly Hindus (80%) divided under the rigid caste system based on the ascriptive
values, a system which has permeated even in other religions like Islam as well. The system originated
from the varna systems has created social stratification a major source of privileges and disabilities.
At the same time economic reforms have created flourishing urban areas (31% population) where
people are stratified based on class (achievements such as income) rather than their social identity.
The emerging class system though closely resembles the caste hierarchy, has actually provided
downtrodden section opportunities for upward social mobility. Co-existence of inter-caste marriages
and endogamy is a common example of such a feature.
Reflects in the economic structures as well (in the indicators of poverty, education, income, asset
ownership, trades and professions etc.)
It place the collective values over and above the individual achievements
Recent incidents like Bhima-Koregaon violence, Jat and Patidar agitation for reservation are examples
of assertion of caste identities which many believe has been waning the Indian society in the past few
decades.
Patriarchy:
Patriarchy is family or social system where final decision making power vests in the male head. As a
result of it women usually are relegate to the status of second class citizens are subjected to various
disabilities. Although many social groups are matrilineal as well such as in Meghalaya and Kerala,
patriarchy is near universal. The system can be found in nearly every society. It leads to gender
discrimination and socio-eco deprivation of women. The system reflects in the following:
Malnutrition (nearly 50% women in India are anemic as per NFHS), high MMR
Low levels of literacy among women and low female labor force participation
Also, major festivals in India such as Holi, Sakrat, Lohri, Pongal etc. are related to harvest seasons
thereby indicating the agrarian connection of Indian celebrations.
During the ancient period Indus valley civilization used to be a secular society and traded peacefully
with other societies such as Mesopotamia, importing their cultural elements as well. Buddhism and
Jainism promoted these values among their followers. Some ancient texts also promoted the value of
“sarva-dharma-sam-bhava" which represents the secular values of the time. Co-existence of many
philosophies – religious, atheistic and materialist - indicates the environment of debate and divergence
that must have existed at the time.
In the medieval period, mixing due to frequent invasions and increased trade led to fusion of different
cultures. The fusion of Nagara and Dravid styles into Vesara style, of Hindavi and Arabic into Urdu,
Bhakti and Sufi movements (Teachings of Kabir, Guru Nanak, Khwaja Chishti etc.), Dīn-i Ilāhī of Akbar
indicate the mutual respect of the society in general for different cultures.
In the modern time these values have helped create and sustain a diverse secular democratic republic.
It is these values which have curbed the rise of extremism in India so far and prevented poaching of
Indian Muslims by terror groups such as ISIS. High levels of migration and rise of cosmopolitans such
as Delhi and Bangalore has been possible only because of these values.