understanding
PRESIDIUM, ASHOK VIHAR
SOCIAL SCIENCE
2017-2018
GRADE 6: SOCIAL AND POLITICAL LIFE
diversity
CHAPTER 1: UNDERSTANDING DIVERSITY
Diversity
In the context of the chapter, it means belonging to different religions, culture, having variety
of food habits, celebrating different festivals, speaking different languages, beliefs etc.
We all are different from each other in the following ways:-
In our eating habits
Dressing styles
Languages we speak
Our cultural backgrounds
Religions and rituals we follow
The states we belong to
Importance of diversity in our lives:-
Diversity means variety.
It adds a lot of variety and flavours to our lives.
It is important to have diversity because we start respecting and understanding
different cultures religions etc.
It is important for imagination and adding innovation in our life.
Reasons of Diversity:-
Man initially wandered from one place to another.
Later on they started living in groups and mingled with each other.
This interaction with different people led to the emergence of Diversity.
Diversity in India:-
India is a huge and diverse country.
Diversity is reflected here in following ways:-
Race
Heritage
Art
Architecture
Cuisine
Customs
Beliefs
Physical appearance
Mental capabilities, etc.
Reasons why people travelled in the past
People earlier travelled from one part of the world to another, in ships, on horses or
camels or on foot.
Often, people went in search of new lands, or new places to settle in, or for people
to trade with.
As it took so long to travel, once they got to a place, people stayed there, often for a
long time.
Various factors that affect the diversity of a place or a country:-
Historical Factors: The history of many places shows us how various cultures have
shaped the way of living in that place. Thus, we can say that different regions have
their unique histories. E.g.:- North India is different from South India.
Geographical Factors: Diversity is also seen when people adapt themselves to the
geographical factors in which they live. E.g.:- Living near a coastal area is different
from living in mountainous area.
Travelling: Due to migration or shifting of people from one place to another,
different cultures merge together. This leads to diversity.
Unity in Diversity is a source of strength for our country India:-
India's diversity has always been recognized as a source of its strength in the following ways-
During the British rule in India, women and men from different cultures, religions
and regional backgrounds come together to oppose them.
India's freedom movement had thousands of people of different backgrounds in
it.
The people showed how they could be different and yet united in their battle against
the British.
Jawahar Lal Nehru our first Prime minister coined a term “UNITY IN
DIVERSITY” which means that despite the rich diversity, India and its people are
still united in different situations.
It also means that each Indian is unique and recognises each one’s individual
differences.
India’s national anthem which was composed by Rabindranath Tagore, is another
expression of the unity of India.
Inequality:-
It is a situation when a person does not have resources and opportunities that are available to
other people in the society.
Reasons of inequality in the society:-
Lack of equal opportunities amongst people.
Caste system in our society.
Occupations we practise:-Our society is also is divided and based on the occupations
we practise. E.g.:- If father is a potter, the child also has to practice pottery.
Diversities in India between two states
Parameters Ladakh Kerala
Location Mountain Desert in the eastern part State in the south-west corner of
of Jammu and Kashmir India. Surrounded by sea on one
side and hills on the other.
Climate Region does not receive any rain and is Hot and Humid climate.
covered in snow for a large part of the
year.
Vegetation There are very few trees that can grow A number of spices like pepper,
in the region as there is no rainfall in the cloves and cardamoms are grown
region. on the hills.
Occupation People here keep sheep to produce Agriculture, fishing, tourism.
Pashmina wool. They rear Sheeps,
goats, cows and dzos (yak-cows).
Eating The people eat meat and milk products The fertile land and climate are
Habits like cheese and butter. suited to growing rice and a
majority of people here eat rice,
fish and vegetables.
Religion Buddhism, Islam Judaism, Islam, Christianity,
Hinduism and Buddhism.
Unique It is also called Little Tibet. It is also called Spice Garden of
Features Ladakh has a very rich oral India.
tradition of songs and poems.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER:-
Local versions of the Tibetan national epic the Kesar Saga are performed and sung by
both Muslims and Buddhists.
The Sundarbans forests are a remarkable landmark of the Gange delta of West
Bengal.
Kerala is well known for its spices.
Yak- cows is the other name of 'dzos' in Ladakh
Pashmina wool is the specialty of Ladakh.
The boat race is an important part of Onam festival of Kerala.
'Cheena-vala' is the local name given to the Fishing net in Kerala.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred in Amritsar.
