DIVERSITY – THE STORE HOUSE OF POWER

India is a repository of an astounding wealth of living patterns and modes of heritage. With about 1,400 dialects and 18 officially recognised languages, several religions, various styles of art, architecture, literature, music and dance, and several lifestyle patterns, the country is the largest democracy with a seamless picture of diversity and unity, perhaps unparalleled anywhere in the world. This diversity has been shaped by centuries of adaptation, re-creation and co-existence. The heritage so created finds expression in the ideas, practices, beliefs and values shared by communities across centuries. It forms a part of its collective memory.

Each element of the diversity is like a drop of water which constitutes ocean of soft power for India. This soft power had its International impact even before the term found place in popular parlance. Using this soft power, Indian foreign policy makers can even re-orient and re-position India in to International community. It may also help to overcome years of mutual mistrust and in achieving regional integration.

Of many, Indian religions too are one of the vital elements in the diversity. PM Narendra Modi recently has employed religion as diplomatic tool in foreign policy. He entertained and engaged International leaders and diplomats on various occasions of religious ceremonies. In 2016, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena attended a session of an international inter-faith symposium on the sidelines of Simhastha Kumbh in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain. He had earlier invited Japanese PM Shinzo Abe for Ganga worship in Varanasi[1]. Indian religions are seen as integral part of India’s engagement with the world.

 DO YOU THINK THE PRECEDENT SET BY THE JUDGMENT IN SABRIMALA CASE COULD DIMINISH THE SOFT POWER POTENTIAL OF INDIA?

– H. H. Jainacharya Yugbhushan Suriji [Pandit Maharaja]

[1] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/in-pm-narendra-modis-brand-of-diplomacy-religion-too-plays-a-key-role/printarticle/52218692.cms