Understanding Diversity

Understanding Diversity - Long Answer Questions

Q1. What is Diversity?

The understanding that every individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences by race, religion, gender, etc.

Q2. Who coined the phrase 'Unity in Diversity'?

Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, in his book 'The Discovery of India'.

Q3. How does history influence diversity?

Different people from different parts of the world travelled to new lands to settle or trade. When they mixed with local people, new languages, food, and culture emerged.

Q4. How does geography influence diversity?

Living near the sea is different from living in a mountainous area. The food people eat, clothes they wear, and work they do depend on the place they live.

Q5. Describe diversity in Ladakh.

Ladakh is a desert in the mountains in the east of Jammu and Kashmir. Very little agriculture. People keep sheep and goats (Pashmina wool). Buddhism reached Tibet via Ladakh. Muslims are a significant population. Famous for oral poets.

Q6. Describe diversity in Kerala.

A state in the southwest corner of India. Sea on one side, hills on the other. Spices like pepper, cloves, and cardamoms are grown. Jewish and Arab traders came here first. St. Thomas brought Christianity. Vasco da Gama landed here.

Q7. What is the 'Cheena-vala'?

The fishing nets used in Kerala look exactly like Chinese fishing nets and are called Cheena-vala.

Q8. What is the 'Cheena-chatti'?

The utensil used for frying in Kerala is called Cheena-chatti. It is believed that the word 'Cheena' comes from China.

Q9. What is the Jallianwala Bagh massacre?

A tragic incident during British rule in Amritsar where a British General opened fire on a peaceful gathering, killing men, women, Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims.

Q10. Why is India considered a land of diversity?

Because people speak different languages, eat various kinds of food, celebrate different festivals, and practice different religions.

Q11. How did the train change diversity?

Before trains, people travelled by ship, horse, or camels. Trains made travel faster and allowed people to move to new places for work, mixing cultures.

Q12. What was the song sung after Jallianwala Bagh about?

It asked people not to forget the blood of the martyrs and to shed a tear for them.

Q13. What does Nehru say about Indian unity?

He says it is not something imposed from outside but something deeper and within its fold, the widest tolerance of belief and custom was practiced.

Q14. What language is the National Anthem in?

It was composed by Rabindranath Tagore in Bengali.

Q15. Compare the food of Ladakh and Kerala.

Ladakh: Meat and milk products (cheese/butter). Kerala: Rice, fish, and vegetables.

Q16. Compare the clothes of Ladakh and Kerala.

Ladakh: Woollens (Pashmina) due to cold. Kerala: Cotton (Mundu) due to humid climate.

Q17. Why did traders go to Ladakh?

It was considered a good trade route as it had many passes. Caravans traveled to Tibet carrying textiles, spices, raw silk, and carpets.

Q18. Who is Ibn Battuta?

A traveler who wrote a travelogue in which he described the lives of Muslims in Kerala and said they were a highly respected community.

Q19. What is the main festival of Kerala?

Onam. The boat race is an important part of the Onam festival.

Q20. How does inequality differ from diversity?

Inequality comes when a person does not have the resources and opportunities that are available to others (e.g., caste system, poverty). Diversity is about differences in culture/religion.

Understanding Diversity - Important Facts

Fact 1

Ladakh is also known as Little Tibet.

Fact 2

Sheep in Ladakh produce special Pashmina wool.

Fact 3

Pashmina shawls are woven in Kashmir.

Fact 4

People in Ladakh drink butter tea.

Fact 5

Ladakh has a rich tradition of songs and poems.

Fact 6

Kesar Saga is the local version of the Tibetan national epic.

Fact 7

Kesar Saga is performed by both Muslims and Buddhists.

Fact 8

Kerala is on the Malabar coast.

Fact 9

Spices made Kerala attractive to traders.

Fact 10

St. Thomas the Apostle came to Kerala 2000 years ago.

Fact 11

Ibn Battuta visited India 700 years ago.

Fact 12

Vasco da Gama was Portuguese.

Fact 13

Discovery of India is a book by Nehru.

Fact 14

National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, expresses India's unity.

Fact 15

British used 'Divide and Rule' policy.

Fact 16

India's freedom movement united everyone.

Fact 17

The national flag was used as a symbol of protest.

Fact 18

Caste system is an example of inequality.

Fact 19

Samir Ek and Samir Do story illustrates diversity vs inequality.

Fact 20

Ladakh is a cold desert.

Fact 21

Agriculture is scarce in Ladakh due to lack of rain.

Fact 22

Melting snow provides water in Ladakh.

Fact 23

Goats in Ladakh are domesticated carefully.

Fact 24

Traders passed through Ladakh to reach Tibet.

Fact 25

Buddhism arrived in Ladakh.

Fact 26

Islam was introduced in Ladakh 400 years ago.

Fact 27

Kerala has a wet climate.

Fact 28

Rice is the staple crop of Kerala.

Fact 29

Chinese influence is seen in Kerala's nets and pots.

Fact 30

Onam Boat Race is famous.

Fact 31

Unity in Diversity is India's strength.

Fact 32

Songs and symbols of freedom serve as reminders of our rich tradition.

Fact 33

Martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh included Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims.

Fact 34

Diversity adds variety to our lives.

Fact 35

Manipur usually produces women weavers.

Fact 36

Bhakti movement influenced diversity.

Fact 37

Sufi movement influenced diversity.

Fact 38

Every region has a unique history.

Fact 39

Globalization increases diversity today.

Fact 40

We are all Indians first.

Fact 41

Constitution guarantees equality.

Fact 42

Respecting diversity is a core value.

Fact 43

Tolerance is key to unit.

Fact 44

Language connects people.

Fact 45

India has 22 scheduled languages.

Fact 46

English is an associate official language.

Fact 47

Hindi is the official language (of the Union, not national).

Fact 48

Many festivals like Diwali, Eid, Christmas are shared.

Fact 49

Diversity makes our country interesting.

Fact 50

Travel expands our understanding of diversity.

Understanding Diversity - Important Dates/Terms

1. 1919

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

2. 1947

India's Independence

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