EK Bharat

Al Akhbar, p.10, (29-4-2006)

By: Iman Anwar

“Ek Bharat”, these words I saw everywhere in India written on coloured signs in every square, street and alley during my visit to India over the last week. Naturally, I was curious to know the meaning of these words and why are they written? My guide said to me: “They mean ‘One India’, which is our motto today.”

Obviously, the motto highlights one thing that is the Indian people adheres to its unity in view of its multiple ethnicities, communities, beliefs and religions. India is a subcontinent extending over a vast area of 3,287 thousand sq km with a population more than 1billion with large number of ethnic groups and religions. In the Indian countenance, you can notice Caucasian, Chinese, Mogul, African and European features. The Indians have six religions: Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam, Buddhism, Christianity and Judaism. Each religion or sect has its own beliefs, customs, traditions and rituals as manifested in its wear, lifestyle and worship. Food is also diverse in type and way of cooking.

I made an interview with Mani Makalai, J.S. of West Asisa and North Africa Division at the Indian Foreign Ministry. When I asked her about the issue of the cartoons humiliating prophet Mohammed and the dialogue of civilizations and cultures, she was amazed and said: “We do not have such an issue because we respect all religions and we live together in peace. The issue of the dialogue of civilizations and cultures raised in Europe does not preoccupy us since India is a real example of multiple civilizations coexisting in one country.”

These words are correct and I felt it myself in all the places I visited in India. I noticed that people are equal regardless of their origin or beliefs. The only thing that mattered was the person’s work. I think this is the secret behind India’s success since its independence in 1947 in the process of political reform and economic and industrial development. India registered high growth rates in proportion to its population. This is measured, according to some people, by its success in launching satellites and making nuclear bombs. However, it still has many economic and social problems which need many years to be solved. At that time, the Indians may occupy the position they wish on the world map. This is the reason for the widespread of the “Ek Bharat” motto in India over the recent years in face of those who attempt to shake the security and stability of India and undermine its unity by creating ungrounded religious and tribal conflicts. Such attempts are unusual in the Indian society, so it soon became alerted to this danger and promoted that all Indians belong to one country: you may boast of your origin as much as you wish and worship whoever you like, but you may not forget that you are, after all, Indian and that is in the interest of your country.

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