DIVERSITY

CONCLUSION
Quite in line with these traditional bonds of unity, the Indian state in postIndependence era has rightly opted for a composite culture model of national unity rather than a uniform culture model. The composite culture model provides for the preservation and growth of plurality of cultures within the framework of an integrated nation.
Hence the significance of our choice of the norm of secularism, implying equal regard for all religions, as our policy of national integration..
The above account of the unity of India should not be taken to mean that we have always had a smooth sailing in matters of national unity, with no incidents of caste, communal or linguistic riots nor should it be taken to mean that the divisive and secessionist tendencies have been altogether absent. However these could be** considered as natural exceptions for such a diverse country like India.
In the words of Shashi Tharoor, distinguished scholar, Indian nationalism is not based on language, or geography, or ethnicity, or religion, but is that of an idea of land – emerging from an ancient civilisation, united by a shared history, reaffirmed by its ethnography and geography and sustained by pluralist democracy