Read the below passage and answer the question:
Different kinds of social institutions, ranging from the family to the market, can bring people together, create strong collective identities and strengthen social cohesion. The very same institutions can also be sources of inequality and exclusions. In Indian context, the term 'diversity' emphasizes differences rather than inequalities. When we say that India is a nation of great cultural diversity, we mean that there are many different types of social groups and communities living here. These are communities defined by cultural markers such as languages, religion, sect, race or caste. When these diverse communities are also part of larger entity like a nation, then difficulties may be created by competition or conflict between them. Cultural diversity can present tough challenges. The difficulties arise from the fact that cultural identities are very powerful they can arouse intense passions and are often able to mobilise large number of people. The challenges of cultural diversity can result in communal riots, demands for regional autonomy, caste wars. The major challenges that diversity poses in India - issues such as regionalism, communalism and casteism. The concept of 'community identity' is closely associated with cultural diversity based on birth and 'belonging' rather than on some form of acquired qualifications or 'accomplishment'.
Which of the following are the examples of Cultural diversity?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Distinct linguistic and religious groups staying together in one neighbourhood
Option (1) One couple watching movie in a theatre — Incorrect. Cultural diversity means that many different communities, marked by language, religion, sect, race or caste, live together. A couple watching a film is just two people at a leisure activity; no difference of community is involved.
Option (2) Distinct linguistic and religious groups staying together in one neighbourhood — Correct. The passage says cultural diversity means there are many different types of social groups and communities living together, defined by cultural markers such as language, religion, sect, race or caste. Linguistic and religious groups sharing one neighbourhood are the very picture of such communities living side by side.
Option (3) Two people belonging to one linguistic region working in the different offices — Incorrect. Both people come from the same linguistic region, so they share the cultural marker. Working in different offices is a difference of workplace, not of community.
Option (4) A whatsapp group of different family members living in different regions — Incorrect. The members belong to one family, and so to one community. Living in different places and chatting online does not bring different cultural communities together.
NCERT (2025-26): “The term ‘diversity’ emphasises differences rather than inequalities. When we say that India is a nation of great cultural diversity, we mean that there are many different types of social groups and communities living here. These are communities defined by cultural markers such as language, religion, sect, race or caste. When these diverse communities are also part of a larger entity like a nation, then difficulties may be created by competition or conflict between them. This is why cultural diversity can present tough challenges. The difficulties arise from the fact that cultural identities are very powerful – they can arouse intense passions and are often able to moblise large numbers of people. Sometimes cultural differences are accompanied by economic and social inequalities, and this further complicates things. Measures to address the inequalities or injustices suffered by one community can provoke opposition from other communities. The situation is made worse when scarce resources – like river waters, jobs or government funds – have to be shared.” |