Question

What does unity mean to you? Discuss any three factors which hinder unity. Describe two ways in which tribal and urban people can benefit each other to promote unity. Give examples to illustrate your points.

Answer 1

Meaning of unity:

Unity implies oneness or a sense of ‘we-feeling’; it holds tightly together various relationships and belief systems of diverse ethnic communities or institutions into some form of acceptable unity, through bonds of contrived structures, norms, and values.

“Unity in diversity” is based on the concept where the individual or social differences in physical attributes, caste, gender, creed, cultural and religious practices, etc.

Factors that prevent unity:

• Casteism: Casteism refers to loyalty to one’s own caste before loyalty to the nation. Caste ties are so strong that people are inclined to think in terms of caste before the nation. This may lead to caste members protecting their own caste group through social service, education, medical, and other welfare schemes.
• Communalism: It refers mainly to loyalty to one's own religion before the nation. Communal conflict is one of the worst blots on national reputation. It is a displeasing factor that affects the unity of the nation.
• Regionalism: It refers to loyalty to one's own State or region before one's nation. This interferes with national integration to a great extent. The history of a particular region is glorified and often it is misused to stress divisive forces, thus ignoring the common cultural legacy and heritage.

Measures to Promote Unity:

1. Tribal and urban communities can take a number of steps to lessen the obstacles to national unity. Both communities are economically dependent on one another. While tribal peoples have access to natural resources, urban communities have advanced technology. Both communities can reduce their differences and foster brotherhood if they make use of each other's resources. This will undoubtedly aid in the formation of national unity.
2. Urban residents can assist tribal communities by providing education and raising awareness about education since there are more educational opportunities there.
3. Tribal areas are backward and have primitive lifestyles; urban people can establish their own businesses there to improve their economic situation and contribute to the unification of the country.