(The Indian Express has launched a new series of articles for UPSC aspirants written by seasoned writers and scholars on issues and concepts spanning History, Polity, International Relations, Art, Culture and Heritage, Environment, Geography, Science and Technology, and so on. Read and reflect with subject experts and boost your chance of cracking the much-coveted UPSC CSE. In the following article, Devdutt Pattanaik, a renowned writer who specialises in mythology and culture, explains how India’s approach to diversity differs from the West.) Those who speak of DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) in the world today, are clueless about India’s remarkable diversity, from its multitude of languages to its various cultural, religious, and geographic differences. When engaging with the global community, Indians often feel the need to defend or explain this diversity. However, India’s uniqueness lies in its ability to accommodate and thrive amidst these differences. A simple way to explain India’s diversity is through its currency notes. A rupee note displays multiple scripts, reflecting the linguistic diversity of the country. We do not see this in the Chinese Yuan, American dollar, or the European Union’s Euro. For a nation so varied, it is not about choosing one efficient language or system but about finding ways to honour and incorporate this vast complexity. India is neither superior nor inferior to other nations—it is simply different, shaped by history, geography, and the interplay of numerous cultures. The lesson for the world is that India’s diversity is not a challenge but its strength, and understanding India requires an appreciation for its unique structure and identity. India’s diversity is a way of life Another way to show India’s diversity is through something as simple as a Google image search. Search for ‘God’, and you will likely see images of Jesus or Jehovah. Now, add the word ‘Hindu’ before the word ‘God’, and suddenly there is a splash of colour, with male and female deities, with gods having elephant heads or many arms, often accompanied by animals. Ask Hindus how many gods they see, and they will answer many but one. How does one explain this concept - many but one? In India, there are mosques, dargahs, churches, synagogues, Buddhist stupas, and Jain derasar, despite communal clashes and even riots. Historically, India has been welcoming different faiths and offering refuge to communities such as Jews. Yet another way to show India’s diversity is through an unstitched fabric. Give someone an unstitched piece of cloth and ask how they might wear it. Most people will say that they can use it as a shawl, veil, or sarong (lungi). But in India, that same fabric can be a turban, a dupatta, a dhoti worn in multiple ways, or a sari draped in various styles. These traditions have evolved over 3,000 years. Language or food, India’s way is rooted in diversity and individuality Most Indians speak multiple languages in order to survive. In addition to their mother tongue and the state language, they speak Hindi or English when engaging with the central government, and English for both domestic and international communication. This multilingual reality of India contrasts with countries like America, France, and Israel, where one can survive with one language. In the case of India, exposure to multiple languages, different words, concepts and grammar fosters cognitive flexibility and respect for diversity. Attempts to impose one language in India to create uniformity, equality, and efficiency have been met with fierce resistance as homogeneity risks erasing individual and regional identities. India’s culinary traditions offer yet another way to illustrate its diversity. One of the reasons why the cooking show “MasterChef” struggles to find similar success in India is the country’s approach to food. In many Western culinary traditions, a dish is often presented as a singular creation - plated food meant to be consumed as the chef intended. However, Indian food culture, as exemplified by the “thali”, is entirely different and revolves around personalisation and choice. Though the “thali” offers a standardised set of dishes, each person customises it to their taste, mixing and matching food items, like “dal”, “sabzi”, “achaar” and “paapad”, in unique ways. Unlike the sequential courses of Western dining, food in India (soup, salad, main course, dessert) is served simultaneously. This is the Indian way. This flexible, highly personal approach to eating contrasts with the rigid structure of Western fine dining. India’s way of dining is reflective of its broader philosophy—there is no one right way to do things. Just as the “thali” allows for individual preferences, India’s culture encourages diversity in practice and thought. This contrast between standardisation and customisation is emblematic of the country’s broader cultural differences, making it a challenge for Western culinary shows like MasterChef to fit within India’s food landscape. The opposite of equality is diversity Diverse societies like India naturally lean towards heterogeneity, not homogeneity. However, diversity also brings complexity such as many hierarchies. In diverse societies, there is never equality, which demands strict rules, rigid control, and uniformity. Diverse societies are naturally inclusive. Inclusion is not imposed. Inclusion is a survival strategy. Diverse and inclusive societies are always at loggerheads with concepts like equality. This is because diversity is natural. Hierarchy is natural too, but natural hierarchy is impermanent, changing over time. Equality is a cultural concept. Rigid hierarchies like caste are cultural. The opposite of equality is not inequality - it is diversity. A controversial but thought-provoking non-Western idea that Indian culture exhibits. Post Read Questions Why is India’s diversity not viewed as a challenge but a strength in its cultural and national identity? What are the unique ways to illustrate India’s remarkable diversity? What are the advantages and challenges of India's multilingualism compared to the linguistic homogeneity of countries like the US, France, or Israel? How does the “thali” exemplify India's culinary diversity and its emphasis on personal choice? How does the statement "the opposite of equality is not inequality – it is diversity" challenge Western notions of equality? (Devdutt Pattanaik is a renowned mythologist who writes on art, culture and heritage.) Share your thoughts and ideas on UPSC Special articles with ashiya.parveen@indianexpress.com. 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