Along
with this, multiculturalism, which is being discussed widely in these days
through various perspectives by means of seminars and symposiums in
universities, colleges and socio-political and religious foras all over the
world, is not a new idea for India. Like globalization, multiculturalism is also one of the foremost concepts recognized
by India since ancient times. Vedic-Hinduism,
Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism, all the four major religious philosophies of the
Indian origin acknowledged multiculturalism in their teaching and preaching.
Recognition
to practices as per one’s own expression of faith even if developed in regional
perspective by Vedic-Hinduism
remained a living example before the whole world in this regard. Vedic-Hinduism, as known to all, is a
faith of most of the Indians consisting of many diverse traditions such as
Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism etc. A wide
spectrum of laws and prescriptions for
day-to-day practices based on Karma [deed] and Dharma [duty] and societal
norms also exists in Hinduism. Vedic-Hinduism
is, we know, a categorization of distinct intellectual or philosophical
viewpoints, rather than a rigid, or any common set of beliefs. This, without a
doubt divulges recognition of Hinduism to multiculturalism.
Along
with this, a unique concept pertaining to Anekantavad
of Jainism is worth mention in this regard. Likewise, the teaching and
practices of Buddhism and Gautama Buddha himself emphasizing the refusal of
becoming dogmatic, the rejection of exclusive claims to truth and not to be
intolerant while
living with others, could also be counted in this very context.
Further, the manner in which evergreen,
evolutionary and harmonious Indian culture has right from the time of the Indus
Valley Civilization [approximately five thousand years from now] on the basis
of tolerance and forbearance, the two chief and the most practical expressions
of the supreme human value of Ahimsa
[non-violence] given the passage and protection to the people of the whole
world that is also well before us. Right from the days of the peak of the Indus
Valley Civilization, groups of
people one after the other started coming to the Indian land continuously from
different parts of the planet along with their own values, traditions, methods
of worship or faith and belief to settle here. Indian culture welcomed all of
them whole-heartedly in its broad edge. Greeks, Kushanas, Hunas, Parsis, or Tai Ahoms, all of them were accorded
equal opportunities to rise on the Indian land irrespective of their nativity.
Indian culture in practicing globalization and respecting other cultures and
ways of living has always remained exemplary of multiculturalism before the
world.
From
socio-economic and cultural viewpoint in particular India’s relations with
countries of the Gulf established by the sea routes, import and export with
other regions of the Continent of Asia including China through the long Silk Route are even today categorically
in witness of its broad and exemplary view of globalization and acceptance of
multiculturalism since ancient times. For, Huen Tsang [602–664 AD], a Buddhist Monk from China, a scholar admirer
of India also sang songs of all embracing Indian philosophy, which is known to
all of us. This might have been inspired by a long process and series of events
pertaining to it, which are also well under the purview of all of us. In short,
I can say with certainty that it is India, which emerged as an exemplary land
of amalgamation of various cultures of the world. It still remains so.
II
India’s
viewpoint of globalization and multiculturalism is further dedicated to peace.
Peace not only for India or Indians, but for each and everyone in the world.
India has always called for world peace, to reiterate, having the broad concept
of oneness of the people of the entire planet as nucleus. The broad Indian view
of peace, as it uniquely appears in the Upanishads,
besides the Vedas, contemplates
universal peace, and, in turn, peace within peace, because progress in real
sense is possible solely in the environment of harmony, which is the upshot of
the state of peace. The Vedic-Hindu
view [in reality the Indian view] had long ago conveyed to the wary world that
work accomplished through unity in diversity could pave the way to peace and
development. Only harmony in diversity be it in views, ways or life-styles,
could accord the best and all-welfaristic atmosphere of stepping forward with
unity. It indeed recognizes individual freedom, freedom of expression in
particular. It categorically accepts and honours ideas developed through one’s
own consciousness achieved by self-realization.
India in its message to humanity had also
clarified long ago that the world would inevitably head towards its unity as a
single family –globalization. Along with this, India had established that for
the certainty of world’s unity, an acceptability and respect for different
cultures, and opportunities for their simultaneous progress would have to be
ensured. In this respect India made forbearance and tolerance, the two foremost
and the most practical features of Ahimsa
[non-violence] the basis of its view of globalization and acceptability.
Now, the
development at all levels, from local to global, is rapidly growing in all
walks of life. Mutual dependence is increasing day-by-day. The world is swiftly
converting into a global village. In this ongoing process the significance of
the Indian view of globalization and universal acceptance multiplies many
folds. Why? We need to comprehend this honestly to procure a world of
coexistence.
In
reality, this ongoing process of development is accompanied by the multiplicity
of diverse differences, disputes, pressures and struggles. New challenges
surface continuously. Due to competitions in all spheres tendencies of intolerance, negligence, disregard and
non-acceptability keep popping up as the prime challenges. It is but
natural. Meeting such challenges is an essential part of this journey that
cannot be skipped. Not only this, but also the nature of differences, disputes,
pressures and struggle, and their impact on the masses and the classes is
variable, which demands resolution within that very process in prevailing
situations of space to ascertain continuity of development in the atmosphere of
harmony, in the state of peace. For this, the viewpoint of tolerance [along
with forbearance] and acceptability stands sound with precious possibilities to
meet even the toughest of these challenges. This is, in fact, the best of the
ways available to mankind for resolution. The Indian concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam –globalization is
fully imbued by these values. It is, therefore, worth considering. It is to be
viewed also in context of acceptability and respect of different cultures and
ways of life.
The
fundamentals of the Indian view of globalization and multiculturalism,
especially its tenets of forbearance, tolerance and acceptance, are worth
adopting in their refined form as per the demand of time and space all over the
world. Prejudice-free and united efforts for their realization, development and
application are needed to meet challenges. Undoubtedly, the best prospects for
a peaceful and prosperous world are available there. In this regard, Indians
also need to introspect. For this, their role and responsibility is the foremost
in comparison to others.
