I. Fill in the blanks with suitable words.
1. Republic Day is our__________ festivals.
Answer: National
2. Number of languages recognised as official languages in our constitution is __________
Answer: 22
3. Our National Animal is ____________ .
Answer: Tiger
4. Our National Bird is ____________ .
Answer: Peacock
II. Answer the following questions after group discussion.
5. What is meant by ‘Nationalism’?
Answer: The feeling of people about their living land is their motherland and the feeling of brotherhood among the people and equal participation of people in nation’s Joys and Sorrows is Nationalism.
6. What is ‘National Unity’?
Answer: National Unity refers to that situation where all the people of the country feel they are one although there are differences with regard to race, religion, culture and language.
7. What are the factors that lead to unity in diversity?
Answers: The factors that lead to unity in diversity are,
- Geographical unity: The Himalayan Mountain Range, the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea separate India from the rest of the world. The Singing of the national anthem by people living geographically signifies the unity of the nations.
- Political unity : Homogeneous since time immemorial, India has achieved political unity through a single constitution, uniform laws, educational system, Judicial system, strong central government administrations.
- Religious unity : India is a multi religious nation. There are relegions like Hindusim, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Christianity, Islam, Parsi etc. Every religion is celebrating its own festivals. People of one religion and people of another religion participates in the festivals. It creates unity.
- Linguistic unity : India is a home to many languages. Sanskrit is the root of most languages. There are people in India who speak different languages. Every state has its own language and literature. However, linguistic unity has not been affected. People of one language respect other languages.
- Cultural unity : Although there are different races and religions in India, cultural unity can be seen everywhere. Although the people of different parts have their own cultural diversity like different traditions, customs, costumes, food habits, lifestyles etc, similarities can be seen among them.
8. What are the factors that promoting national integration?
Answer: The factors that promoting national integration are,
- Secularism : India is a secular country. This means that every citizen of the nation has right to practice his own religion. There is interfaith harmony here. Hence it encourages the unity of the Nation
- Democracy : India is a democratic nation and all citizens are equal before the law. All citizens of the state are considered equal in terms of fundamental rights and Directive principles of state policy.
- National Festivals : National festivals of the country like Independence Day, Republic Day, Gandhi Jayanti etc. play an important role in uniting Indians. These festivals are celebrated by all Indian citizens in every part.
- Our National Symbols : Our national symbols are National Emblem, National Anthem, National Flag, National Animal, National Bird, National flower etc. are also helpful to identify us as one. This aspect also remainds us that we are all one in celebration or disaster.
- Interdependence : The Central and the State Governments work through common objective. One part of the nation is dependent on another part. It encourages the unity of the Nation.
