CELEBRATING THE DIFFERENCES AND DIVERSITIES

 FROM SAMPATH’S DESK:

  

 

 

CELEBRATING THE DIFFERENCES AND DIVERSITIES

 

Variety is the spice of life. Let’s not just recognize, welcome, and tolerate, but celebrate the differences and diversities that are only natural and inspirational.

 

Differences and diversities are not per se divisive and dangerous; they are not disastrous or doomful either, but are naturally organized innocuous divide lines leading to convergence like rivers of different origins and courses confluence with the sea at the end.

 

According to Swami Vivekananda, “Unity in variety is the plan of creation. However, men and women may vary individually; there is unity in the background.”

 

Diversity of cultures, religions, customs, traditions, and practices is an essential component of the richness of the world. India is known for its ‘Unity in Diversity’ like a garland or bouquet woven with flowers of different colours, shapes, and fragrances through the common thread of unity.

 

Cultural differences are unique in character and not intended to separate one from another on flimsy lines. Cultural diversity, in fact, brings a collective strength that can benefit society and humanity at large.

 

You can, of course, discuss and debate our differences and diversities without fracturing our commonalities and communities.

 

Let us adore the diversity of all hues and not unduly project or pinpoint the differences on one side only with ulterior motives much to the detriment of and to slight one at the cost of other(s).

Devotional music inculcates values like truth, civility, honesty, good societal dispositions, and ethical virtues. During Bhakti and freedom movements, music was at the forefront projecting the commonalities and cementing a strong India amid diversities.

The great Tamil national bard, Subramania Bharathi, while emphasizing India’s ‘Unity in Diversity’ called for the joining of rivers. To quote him, “Let us carry out agricultural operations in peninsular and central plains of India by diverting the excess water from the perennial rivers of the North that would otherwise cause floods and finally merge in vain with the Bay of Bengal.” Had this visionary’s dream been taken up seriously and the project carried out, water scarcity would have by now become a thing of the past and stopped inter-state squabbling over water sharing. Why search for ghee with butter on hand? Better late than never?

 

Let us take the Indian scenario which is beset with diversities of sorts. For example, we have the highest rainfall receiving area in Mawsynram, a village in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya state in the north-eastern region, to the ‘almost-no-rain-area’ in Thar Desert of Rajasthan. While North rivers are mostly perennial ones, South rivers are rain-dependent.

 

Let’s shore up our similarities. Inclusivity is, in fact, the celebration of diversity put into action. An individual can make a difference, but a team can make a miracle.

Stephen R Covey said, “Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.” It necessarily follows that strength derived from diverse quarters add to our potential and power.

To quote John F Kennedy, “If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.”

 

Needless to say, celebrating our diversity and standing together in solidarity is our collective strength.

 

There is boundless beauty in the diversity of sorts that helps us become more understanding of our distinct differences making us well-defined, well-refined, well-reformed, and well-informed. We may have all come on different boats, but we are now on board the universal ship.

 

The beauty of the world lies in the diversity of its people. You can make it more beautiful through value additions by connecting compatibility and congruity, and constructing a bridge commensurate with the concepts of convergence over divergences.

 

Sri Chinmoy said, “Unity in diversity - this is God’s Supreme Secret in His Cosmic Game.”

 

  

R.SAMPATH

9/2/2025