Cultural diversity is a fact of modern
life and it exists now in practically all countries of the world. In addition
to conventional elements such as race, religion and language, cultural
diversity is accentuated by new factors including globalization, the breakdown
of the traditional moral consensus, the emphasis on individual choice regarding
issues like the place of religion in public life, family discipline, relations
between parents and children and other aspects of life today.
Cultural diversity is at the root of
most conflicts, tensions and uncertainties in the contemporary world. Some have
attributed the present "international insecurity" to the Clash of
Civilizations whilst others advocate dialogue of religions and cultures to
prevent such conflicts and bitterness. In 2001, the General Assembly of the
United Nations adopted the Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations and
the UNESCO endorsed the International Declaration on Cultural Diversity.
A common assumption inspires both
covenants. A multicultural society needs to find ways and means to accommodate
diversity without loosing its cohesiveness and unity. Two approaches are
rejected. Assimilation which requires minorities to abandon their own
distinctive institutions, cultures and values to merge into the prevailing
culture is to be avoided. This way is sociologically unlikely to succeed and is
morally untenable in view of people's deep adherence to normative values such
as religion. Similarly, unbounded
multiculturalism which entails giving up the concept of shared values and
identity in order to privilege ethnic and religious differences presuming that
a nation can be replaced by a number of diverse minorities is unacceptable.
Such a course of action usually results in undemocratic backlash, support for
extremist parties, populist leaders and anti-minority policies. It is morally
unjustified as it does not accept the values and institutions upheld by society
at large. Regions that break away from
democratic societies hoping to achieve a larger measure of self-government are
not likely to enhance self-government and may rather weaken it.
Cultural pluralism values diversity
and implements policies of inclusion that cater to the requirements of all
groups. The sensitivities of the minorities as well as of the majority need
attention. Fundamental rights and fundamental freedoms of all are to be protected.
The rights of the weaker sections are particularly important in a society that
respects cultural pluralism.
Intercultural dialogue is necessary
both at the national and at the global levels so that contentious issues are
resolved amicably. The more a nation harmonizes differences at home the greater
is its ability to contribute to dialogue at the international level. Stronger
the cooperation and goodwill among nations lesser the need to spend huge
resources on arms and military strategies.
Education has a crucial role to play
in providing ethical and spiritual value systems that facilitate understanding
of other cultures and civilizations. The UNESCO Constitution begins with the
words "Since wars begin in the minds of men it is in the minds of men that
the defences of peace must be constructed". Education ought to promote
tolerance, respect for diversity and friendship among peoples and nations.
Educational institutions must be provided with a learning environment which
contributes to tolerance, understanding and respect for diversity. They should
be protected from teachings that promote extremism, intolerance and violence.
Goa has made significant progress in the field of education over the last 50 years. This is mainly due to Government aided and private institutions. Government schools themselves are in an appalling condition. Attendance at several Government primary schools which I visited over the last few years was almost 100 percent but in the circumstances in which most of them function, there is not much learning to be done. Four classes are often taught simultaneously in one classroom and in some cases eight classes in two languages. There are no black boards or they are not repaired, rice bags (for the mid-day meal), discarded furniture, school records, etc are all bundled together in the same classroom along with the children. The teachers in Government schools are as hard working and the students are as bright and intelligent as their counterparts in private schools. What is lacking is the minimum infrastructure. As a result all those who can afford enrol their children in private schools. The children in Government primary schools come from the poorer sections of society and their parents are usually illiterate. These students require special attention but on the contrary they get no attention at all. Government primary schools have suffered from what might be called a “social attention deficitâ€, a sheer lack of attention and concern by the community at large including policymakers at all levels.
India is home to diverse languages,
religions, races and lifestyles. It is a vast country where questions of unity
and diversity interplay. Yet, India emerges with an excellent record at
managing diversity. This makes it possible to survive as a nation and to move
ahead as the largest democracy in the world. The Constitution of India ensures
that all citizens have equal rights and should have an equal opportunity. In
particular, the principle of secularism enshrined in our Constitution is the
best method to accommodate religious diversity and could be emulated across the
globe. In a multicultural society, the State cannot be identified with any
religious or cultural group and it should either be neutral or even handed in
its approach to all such groups. Unity in diversity is the highest possible
civilizational attainment. It is made possible through respect for choice in an
atmosphere of mutual trust.
(The writer
is a former Union Minister)
