Deceptive Unity In Deceptive diversity

inhUmaNITY in DIVERSITY

Since long we have been conceiting the globe by associating our country with the popular phrase ‘Unity in Diversity’. This makes sense in the case of tourism department, as the phrase has been the USP for the tourism sector of India. But what about the rest of the population, that is obsessed with this phrase? The roots of education lie at our homes where parents inculcate in their child the basics of life. He is taught to understand and react to a stimuli and not the other way round which itself sounds weird. But if we ponder deeply, we won’t be far from believing that, we have disrespected the teachings. Although we did not perform the task in the opposite way to what was taught,’ we reacted with no understanding’.

A walk in Connaught Place in Delhi itself clears the air over the issue. It speaks volumes about ‘Disparity in diversity’ rather than the one we boast. One would find the most amazing site, although they might be saddening. People of diverse purchasing power (negative purchasing as well), ignite a thought process in the passerby’s mind, although to an elitist a UCB, Nike or CCD could create more furores. From Mercedes to without footgear, burgers to dustbin left-outs, Armanis to rags things are indeed diverse. UNITY IN DIVERSITY!.

Diversity, critics would say, technically, means religious, social and biological. But here, the argument is human. Since time immemorial human civilization has been based on food and shelter. Religion, society and all the subdivisions like caste system are the artful works of human beings who has, in the development of so called modern civilized society, forgotten the very necessity of existence. When we are talking of a country as a whole we cannot miss out the majority mass living below the World Bank’s demarcation of poverty line. Therefore, prior to addressing social and religious issues we need to focus, and focus immediately, on food and health urgencies. It is quite ironic that the top 10% of income groups are earning 33% of the country’s net income and about 40% of the population lives below poverty line. This terrible income disparity has to understood and addressed. So, anyways we have to agree that a part of our celebrated phrase is justified and true ie, ‘diversity’. We are indeed diverse.

Uh!!!!But that’s just a part. Does that mean we are 50% right? We live socially in cities. We follow the rules of the government and in case not, the law has provisions to punish. We follow all that is documented. We are ‘united’. We have the same rules for all. Everyone has equal say in the country..........................Critics may cite zillions of supporting statements but what the heck. Is this unity!! If a human being is unable to afford a meal it’s a shame on all those who can, because it was the responsibility of the able ones to make sure that no one is denied of such a basic human necessity. And that’s humanity.