Do we have cultural pockets of small India all over the nation? Elaborate with examples.

India being the oldest surviving civilization is a living example of unity in diversity. There is pan Indian culture at the top which exists independently from pockets of local cultures. This coexistence model is often called the Salad Bowl Model.

Existence of multiple small India’s within India.

1. Linguistic Diversity: India has over 150 recognized languages. It is said that dialect changes every 20kms and language every 55 km in India.

2. Ethnic Diversity: Indicated by presence of a plethora of races like proto-australoids, negritos, Mediterranean’s etc.

3. Religious Diversity: India as the cradle of 4 religions- Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, which in addition to the Abrahamic religions form the religious diversity.

4. Diversity in customs, traditions and festivals reflecting a fair degree of similarity and differences. 

5. Social stratification via caste system has proliferated the diversity in society due to categorization and sub categorization of castes.

6. Cuisine, sports, cinema, music, theatre act as indicators of local pockets of culture.

Reasons behind this diversity:

1. Indian Society as a product of centuries of learning and evolution.

2. Intermingling of religions, castes etc. giving rise to newer variants.

3. Influence of foreign cultures: Sakas, Kushans, Mughals, British etc.

4. Civilization ethos of Sarva Dharma Sambhava, peace, toleration, brotherhood etc.

5. Role of religions and religious reformers like Buddha, Nanak, Kabir, Swami Vivekananda.

6. Modern constitution which takes best practises from around the world adapted to Indian context.

Ghettoization, Tribal Isolation, Economic inequality etc. have created artificial pockets that prevent cultural merger of communities and create stereotypes. Programs like Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat are crucial in creating a pan national cultural cooperation.