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Lecturrete Topic 133 - National Integration

NATIONAL INTEGRATION


National integration is the awareness of a common identity among the citizens of a country, this means that although we belong to different castes, religions and speak different languages, we recognize the fact that we are all one.

It is not just a national feeling, but the spirit which brings people of all dialects and beliefs together in a similar endeavour.

‘National Integration‘ arises thought the behaviour and determination of citizens.

It is the duty of every person as a citizen to oppose the forces and ideas that weaken national unity and integrity.



DEFINITION OF NATIONAL INTEGRATION BY DIFFERENT AUTHORS:


  • Dr S. Radhakrishna defines that national integration cannot be made by bricks and mortar, mould and hammer, but it quietly grows in people’s minds through education.


  • The great ideologist and author Myron Weiner, defines “National integration implies the avoidance of divisive movements that will balance the presence of attitudes in the nation and society that distinguish national and public interest from parochial interest”.


  • HA Gani defines, “National integration is a socio-psychological and educational process through which a feeling of unity and harmony develops in the hearts of the people and a sense of common citizenship or feeling of loyalty to the nation is fostered among them”.


To sum up, the concept of national integration includes political, economic, social, cultural and psychological dimensions and the interrelationships between them.


IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL INTEGRATION:

The importance of national integration is certainly can be understood as it helps to stabilize democracy, improve economic growth, develop the nation and provide all the important rights and duties to the people. A country like India has a varied society and has a large population, so it is a more difficult task to achieve.


Historical Background:

There was never a problem of national integration in ancient India. From time to time, some people and ethnic communities have been coming to India from outside

Their language gradually merged with their customs, rituals and way of life in Indian society. This process also enriched society and culture here.When we talk about Indian culture, it means not the culture of anyone cult or any particular community, but the culture of the whole of India.

In order to strengthen national integration in ancient times, many tasks were done smoothly. The biggest task among them was to develop a tendency to travel among Indians.

Since ancient times, people have been coming from one place of the country to other places with devotion.


NEED FOR NATIONAL INTEGRATION:

When national integration occurs, individuals have the possibility to work together to build systems that enhance the prosperity of a nation and its people.

Some things that may come in the way of national integration include religious or political divisions as well as communication barriers between citizens.



 NATURE OF NATIONAL INTEGRATION:

There are two types of national integration. One form is based on uniformity, i.e. language, living and customs, ritual worship .Another form of national integration is internal unity, i.e. language, the standard of living, customs, creed etc. of the people living in the nation may be different and however, everyone has the same attitude and thinking regarding national interests.Everyone has the same feeling and thinking on national issues such as national unity, integrity, sovereignty.In India, more than 250 languages and dialects are spoken and 22 languages have been notified as national languages, in the Constitution.Apart from the Hindus, Muslim Christians, Parsi, Sikh and believers of many religions. Naturally, there is a difference between the costumes and worship practices in them, but in spite of this, there is unity about national interests.

This is called “unity in diversity“. The spirit of nationalism gives strength to our unity.



NATIONAL INTEGRATION IN INDIA:

India is a sovereign, democratic, secular country. Here, all the people have equal rights and duties without discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, colour, creed, region and language, etc. India is a multi-racial and multi-religious country. It is a secular country where the people of all religions worship without any let or hindrance according to their religious practices, though subject to law and order.

Geographically and linguistically India has a vast variety it is our unity in diversity. Indian people in different states and regions eat different kinds of food.

They wear different clothes, they speak different languages, they have different castes and they observe different religious practices, still, they all are Indian.


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