India Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

India - Essay Example Stretching back in an unbroken sweep over 5000 years, India's culture has been enriched by successive waves of migration which were absorbed into the Indian way of life. Its physical, religious and racial variety is as immense as its linguistic diversity. This diversity stems from the uniqueness of our vastly complex society is the end product of the eagerness of our ancestors to learn more and live better. Our values are an intricate infusion of principles from outsiders – be they traders, explorers or even colonists. Underneath this diversity lies the continuity of Indian civilization and social structure from the very earliest times until the present day. Modern India presents a picture of unity in diversity to which history provides no parallel. Ruben and Stewart opine that the psychological effects of â€Å"rapid social change† partially refers to the change in the rekation of feeling and lack of clarityabout what the rule actually is, owing to conflicts and contra dictions between contending rules and between rules and feelings. Religion: In India, religion is a way of life. It is an integral part of the entire Indian tradition. For the majority of Indians, religion permeates every aspect of life, from common-place daily chores to education and politics. Secular India is home to Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and other innumerable religious traditions. Each has its own pilgrimage sites, heroes, legends and even culinary specialties, mingling in a unique diversity that is the very pulse of society. Hinduism is the dominant faith, practiced by over 80% of the population. Each faith- in family and marketplace, brings with it different implications for emotional management. Each is also under guided by the mistaken assumption that family and markets are separate cultural spheres (Hoschild). Language: India's official language is Hindi in the Devnagri script. However, English is the major language of trade and politics, but there are fourteen official languages in all. There are twenty-four languages that are spoken by a million people or more, and countless other dialects. India has seven major religions and many minor ones, six main ethnic groups, and countless holidays. Some Indian languages have evolved from the Indo-European group of languages and these were the languages of the Aryans who invaded India. This set is known as the Indic group of languages. The other set of languages are Dravidian and are native to South India, though a distinct influence of Sanskrit and Hindi is evident in these languages. Attire: one of the powerful attractions in India is the colorful and diversified attire of its people. The silk saris, brightly mirrored cholis, colorful lehangas and the traditional salwar-kameez have fascinated many a outsider over the centuries. The sari is a supremely graceful attire can also be worn in several ways and its manner of wearing as well as its color and texture are indicative of the status, age, occupation, region and religion of a woman. Though the majority of Indian women wear traditional costumes, the men in India can be found in more