Question

Working in groups of four, discuss the ways in which the following have integrated India :

1. Music—Jai Ho / Vande Mataram
2. Food—North Indian!South Indian
3. Fashion—Salwar kameezs / lehengas / Achkan / Dhoti Kurta
4. Occupation and trade—Job opportunities
5. Relationships / Marriage

Answer 1

1. Music- Jai Ho Vande Mataram :
The track ' Jai Ho 'symbolises a young resurgent, a young confident India on a global platform. 'Jai Ho' spirit has made India proud It is associated with the aspirations and emotions related to modern Indian  aesthetics. It has grown with the people. It is a mega hit at world wide too. This is an Oscar Award winning song from 'Slumdog Millionaire' movie. This song shows the winning spirit of Indians who inspite of difficulties and problems believe in the dictum 'I'll win', 'I'll be triumphant' lnspite of terrorists' attacks, earthquakes, tsunami, famines, floods and riots. Indians are winning at the global platform.

Song 'Vande Mataram' reminds us of the times when Indians were slaves of the British. These two words instilled patriotism in the minds and hearts of people It ignited the flame which perished the foreign rule. This song recalls the time when every Indian was fighting for independence

2. Food- North Indian/ South Indian :
North Indian food consists of spicy vegetables. Chapati. Dal or Pulse, Makki ki Roti- Sarson ka Saag, Curd, Lassi, Butter, Papad and Salad of Onion, Cucumber and Radish. It is rich in proteins and vitamins. It is delicious too. Halwa and Kheer are an integral part of dessert. Poori-Chole, Bhatoore-Chole, Stuffed potato Paranthas are favourite breakfast.

Dosa, ldli, Vada Pav and Sambhar are popular south Indian foods. Uttapam, Coconut sauce, Fish Curry, Vegetable Uppuma, Ericheri, Nawab Pulao, Rice Payasam. Mysore Pak treat the taste buds. Banana chips and Jackfruit Chips are the speciality snacks. Kababs and Biryanis are not to be missed.

Now these foods are liked by everyone. North Indian foods as well as south Indian foods are served in hotels across the country. They are included in the menu of marriage parties and other celebrations. They serve as a strong bond between two parts of our country. It has flourished the food industry It has, in fact, integrated India. 

3. Fashion- Salwar Kameezs/ Lehengas/Achkan/ Dhoti Kurta :

People wear different types of clothes in different parts of India. With the advent of satellite channels. it has become convenient to know different people having different customs and wearing their special attires. Due to trade and job they migrate to different parts of the country and come into contact with their customs.  They get influenced by their regional dresses and adopt them. Sari is considered to be a special dress of South India. But it is quite popular among the women of North India too. In the same way, Lehengas are getting popularity in every part of India. Achkan and Dhot i-Kurta are considered to be graceful dresses of
the men in every part Thus, we can say that fashion and dresses play an important role as a binding force and have integrated our country. fashions don't divide the people but foster togetherness and unity

4. Occupation and trade-Job opportunities :
With the spread of telecommunication and informat ion technology, it has become difficult to stay at one place. Agriculture is the main occupation in the North India. So, people migrate from south to north Indian states in search of work. In the same way, Mumbai is called the economic or commercial capital People from all over India go to this film city in search of different types of jobs in film Industry. In the same way, there are ample job opportunit ies in Bangalore, Chennai, Surat, Pune, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Kota. Manipal etc, in different fields. This has led to migration of skilled and unskilled man-power to various cities and states.
So. the people are adopting different cultures, customs and learning different languages. It is promoting national integration

5. Relationships/ Marriage :
The migration of people from one state to another in search of trade-job opportunities has made India a unified and integrated territory. People settle at a place and live a comfortable life. They tie nupital knot s and develop families. This brings them emotionally together. The strong bonds of relationships act as bridges which join different people of different states in one stream, ie, lndianness or Bhartiyata Fast means of transport such as aeroplanes have limited the distances and integrated India.