'The idea of India is not based on language, not on geography, not on ethnicity and not on religion. The idea of India is of one land embracing many. You can be many things and one thing: you can be a good Keralite, a good Muslim and a good Indian all at once.' [10]
IndiaDiversityIdentityPluralismUnityCultureNational identityNationalism
Identity politics often challenge this ideal in practice.
'The only possible idea of India is that of a nation greater than the sum of its parts.' [9]
'Our founding fathers wrote a constitution for a dream. We have given passports to their ideals.' [11]
'The memories of the first Independence Day may have faded, but the power of that magical moment must never be forgotten.' [8]
'If India had a Latin version of the American motto E Pluribus Unum, it would be E Pluribus Pluribum.' [12]
They have made present-day India, and Hinduism even more so, out to be a zoo - an agglomeration of assorted, disparate specimens. No such thing as 'India', jus…
'If America is a melting pot, then to me India is a thali -- a collection of sumptuous dishes in different bowls. Each may not mix with the next, but they comb…