Unity in diversity
Also called: Many in the One · Topic: India, That Is Bharat: Names of India and Unity in Diversity · NCERT: Class 6, Ch 8 "Unity in Diversity, or 'Many in the One'"
Meaning
Unity in diversity is the idea that India's huge variety rests on a deeper shared culture. India has many languages, foods, clothes, festivals and customs, yet they are linked. Over a century ago the British historian Vincent Smith asked how anyone could write the history of such a varied land. His answer was: "India offers unity in diversity." Sri Aurobindo called this "the Many in the One", and Tagore spoke of "the touch of the One in the play of the many". The idea is best proved with real evidence, like shared food, textiles, festivals and stories, and not just repeated as a slogan.
Example
The People of India project of the Anthropological Survey of India was led by the anthropologist K.S. Singh in the late 20th century. It surveyed 4,635 communities and counted 325 languages written in 25 scripts. Yet most of these communities share staple grains, the epics and festivals such as Makara Sankranti.