Online Assignment 'National integration'

Online Assignment 'National integration'

1. ONLINE
ASSIGNMENT

TOPIC : NATIONAL INTEGRATION



Submitted to: Submitted by:
Nimmi Varghese Anju V R
B.M.M II Training College Social Science
Kottarakara B.M.M II Training College
Kottarakara

3. INTRODUCTION
India is a land of diversities. The people inhabiting this vast country belong to
different races, speak different languages, follow different religions and observe different
social customs and traditions. Their political affiliations are as varied as their economic
interests. Perhaps no other developing country has so much of diversity in dress, race,
religion, language and history as India. The different people who came to India at
different times have added to this complexity in its diversity.
We are an independent nation, but it is well known that nationhood is not merely a
product of geography or politics. To be strong, the nation must have a solid basis in the
mind of each of its citizens. In a democracy, the member of the society must be citizens
in the real sense of the term; citizenship is possible only when the individual feels
completely integrated with the whole, of which he is a part. The state must not be an
amorphous mass but an organic entity.
National Integration
National integration means the sense of basis oneness of the nation. It is the sense
of identity and solidarity among all citizens of the nation. National integration is the
cementing force that binds the citizens of a country into a unified entity; unity is not
uniformity while allowing for difference in language, race, religion etc. It is opposed to
social description and chaos.
National Integration has got two aspects, political unity and emotional unity with
the achievement of independence and with the declaration of India as a republic we have
achieved political unity. Emotional integration is reflected in the attitude of the people. It
depends upon how people belonging to different areas and groups interact among
themselves. All the people must feel that they are one as they are children of the same
mother country. They must be willing to subordinate personal interests for the benefit of
the group and the nation as a whole.

4. Need for effective Integration
India’s diversity is observable in topography, landscape, soil and natural resource.
The climatic conditions are not the same in all parts of the country. When it is hot
summer in the north, it may be raining heavily in the south. When there is drought at one
end of the country there may be floods at the other end. It is a land of paradoxes.
This underlying unity is the remarkable feature of Indian culture. This unity was
spontaneously revealed when its security was in danger. During the Chinese and
Pakistani aggressions, India stood united and people forgot their difference of opinion.
But all these unity was found to disappear gradually as soon as the calamity was over. In
recent years, there has been a general weakening of the affinity among the different
sections of the people. Under the impact of narrow linguistic, religious and regional
loyalties, people have begun thinking in terms of their own community, religion and
state. Certain trends found in the national scenario are alarming. Take for example, son’s
of the soil policy for employment, dispute over sharing of water between two regions etc-
National solidarity is one of the fundamental needs for the preservation of freedom
against external aggression and for the solution of our internal problems “united we
stand, divided we fall” should be our motto here.
Factors hampering Integration
Let us try to analyse the factors that are hampering integration of the Indian
society. These may be enumerated as follows.
1. Linguism
Language is a tool for building up national Integration.
Unfortunately, our language problem is major source of disintegration and
disunity. In India there are many languages that are spoken in different
parts of the country. This develops a sort of regional patriotism finally
threatening the unity of India.

5. 2. Regionalism
The division of the country into different states and union territories
has caused a great change in the feelings of the Indian people. The love for
India as the motherland has disappeared. One’s own state or union territory
has taken the place of ‘Bharatmata’. Mutual jealousies and rivalries among
people of different regions have grown up so much that they went to
achieve the progress and development of their region only. Under such
divisional forces one can hardly think of national solidarity.
3. Communalism
India is a land of many religions. Religion is found to be one of the factors
hampering integration. India became divided because of the religious
fanaticism of a few. India has categorically been wedded to secularism. But
there are instances where leaders have used the slogan ‘Hinduism in
danger’, ‘Islam in danger’ etc… for promoting their vested interests. They
spread rumors and arouse religious fanaticism in the common man who is
illiterate.
4. Casteism
Indian society is divided into different castes even within the same
religion. The out castes were never treated as human beings their role in the
national development was not at all recognized by the caste Hindus. The
result is that they became isolated from the main stream of the national life.
Today the whole scene of national life is within the clutches of the caste
system. National unity is impossible as long as there is this feeling among
citizens.
5. Parochialism
In India we have so many political parties. Among these there are
national parties and regional parties. The regional parties look to the
interests of the regions. This raises challenges to the national integration of

6. the country. During the elections regional parties arouse regional spirit
which does much harm to the development of national unity.
6. Socio-economic Inequalities
The structure of Indian society is not egalitarian. It is marked by
socio-economic inequalities, economic inequalities is caused mainly by the
poverty of the masses. The distribution of national wealth is so uneven that
a handful of persons enjoy luxuries, while a large mass cannot make both
ends meet. The social inequality is mainly caused by caste system. The
caste system separates people into different categories that have very
limited social interaction. Socio-economic inequalities are creating a wide
gulf between the rich and the poor, the high and the low. Though socialism
has been declared as our coveted goal, no serious attempt has so far been
made to alleviate these inequalities.
The above are some of the main factors hampering national
integration. So long as these differences exist, Indian society cannot hope to
become integrated.

Role of Education on National Integration
National Integration cannot be achieved through mere legislation.
Dr S Radhakrishnan has stated “National Integration cannot be built by brick and mortar
or with chisel and hammer. It has to grow silently in the minds and hearts of men.The
process by which it could be achieved, is education”. Education must play an important
role in fostering national integration.
1. Curricular Programmes
Description of important festivals, arts and literature of different parts of
the country, glimpses of our social and cultural heritage etc- should find a
prominent place in the curriculum. Map reading should be given due

7. importance so that students will have a clear concept of the vastness and
geographic features of the motherland. An account of the scientific and
industrial developments in India should be presented in detail.
2. Co-curricular activities
It is well known that the effective development of children could be
realized through co-curricular activities. In order to faster attitudes of
toleration, accommodation and responsibilities towards others among
pupils frequent chances of mingling with the people of diverse culture
should be provided. Such activities must include display of educational
films, visits to different places, celebration on national festivals and days
etc.
3. Training in Democracy
Ours is the largest democracy in the world and it is based on
principles of equality, liberty and fraternity. Students should be trained to
understand, practice and uphold the lofty ideals and values of democracy.
This will promote social cohesion and national integration.
4. Training in secularism
In order to maintain communal as religious harmony, pupil should be
trained in secularism and values of toleration, harmony, brotherhood and
fellow feeling. Students should have knowledge about different religions.
The moral and ethical doctrines should be taught to students.
5. Role of Teacher
Teachers should play a very significant role in developing among children
favorable attitude towards nationalism. Unless teachers themselves get induced
with the spirit o democracy and secularism and present models of behavior based
on values of liberty, equality and fraternity, they cannot motivate students and lead
them to the desired goal.

8. In short, education is the only tool for bringing about a united nation
because it can make the growing youth realize that they are bound up with the
nation’s destiny.
Conclusion
Regional imbalance, social inequality and inequality of education and
employment opportunity should be set right if we are to remain as a united. In
spite of the great diversities that we find in India, there is also fundamental unity.
It has its deep root in the Indian soil, civilization and culture. India is one and
indivisible. While her people speak with many tongues, they speak with one
individual heart
Reference
 www.brynma wr.edu/national integration.btm
 www.archivesgov/national integration
 Aggarwal J.C (2003) Teaching of Social Studies a practical approach,
Vikash publishing house Mumbai