Question

Write a short note on Regionalism.

Answer 1

1. Regionalism means having excessive pride about one’s region. It is one thing to introduce oneself as a Bengali or a Marathi person. But if I think that because I am a Bengali or a Marathi, I am superior to others from other provinces; it can be termed as excessive regional pride. The love for one’s province turns morbid due to this kind of an excessive regional pride. It is natural to feel love for one’s province, but it should not become abnormal.
2. Regionalism thrives on regional imbalance in development. In the postindependence period, some States achieved more progress, while some States remained backward. For example, States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Tamil Nadu developed economically and industrially; whereas States like Odisha, Bihar, Assam, remained undeveloped economically and industrially.
3. Regionalism can affect developed as well as undeveloped States. The people of developed States begin to believe that they are superior due to their superior history and culture and hence they have developed that much. Then they begin to look down upon the people of underdeveloped regions