NCERT Answers
Q1. Conduct a class discussion on the two quotations at the start of the chapter.
Answer (model – 120 words):
Rabindranath Tagore’s quotation means that even in the variety of life, we should feel the touch of the One, the eternal truth. Sri Aurobindo’s words explain that India’s identity is based on unity in diversity. Though India has many languages, religions, customs, and traditions, they all form part of one civilisation. This unity gives India its strength. The message of both thinkers is that diversity is not a weakness but an enrichment. When we see “the Many in the One,” we understand the deep cultural and spiritual unity of India.
Q2. Select a few stories from the Pañchatantra and discuss how their message is still valid today. Do you know of any similar stories from your region?
Answer (100–120 words):
One story from the Pañchatantra is “The Monkey and the Crocodile”. It teaches that wisdom and quick thinking can save us in difficult times. Another is “The Lion and the Clever Rabbit”, which shows how intelligence is more powerful than strength. These messages are still valid today, reminding us to use our mind wisely. In my region, we have folk tales like Tenali Raman’s stories, which also teach lessons of wit, honesty, and justice. Such stories remain popular because their morals are timeless.
Q3. Collect a few folk tales from your region and discuss their message.
Answer (model – 100 words):
In my region, one folk tale is about a farmer who shared his food with a hungry traveller. Later, the traveller turned out to be a deity who blessed him with prosperity. The message is kindness and generosity always bring rewards. Another tale is about a crow and a snake, teaching courage and cleverness in facing enemies. These folk tales are simple but convey values like honesty, bravery, kindness, and respect for nature.
Q4. Is there any ancient story that you have seen being depicted through a form of art? It could be a sculpture, a painting, a dance performance, a movie … Discuss with your classmates.
Answer (example – 100 words):
Yes, I have seen the story of Rāmāyaṇa depicted in the classical dance drama Kathakali in Kerala. The scene of Hanuman carrying the Sanjeevani mountain was performed with great expressions and costumes. I have also seen Rāmāyaṇa episodes painted on temple walls in Tamil Nadu. In movies too, the Mahābhārata and Rāmāyaṇa have been recreated. These artistic depictions help keep ancient stories alive and make them understandable for new generations.
Q5. Discuss in class the following quotation by Jawaharlal Nehru.
Answer (120–150 words):
Jawaharlal Nehru observed that India’s cultural roots are deeply influenced by the epics Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata. Even illiterate villagers could recite verses and relate morals from these epics in their daily conversations. This shows the powerful role of literature in shaping Indian society. These epics gave people values of truth, courage, sacrifice, and dharma, uniting them across regions. Nehru’s words also highlight the role of oral tradition in preserving knowledge. Today, even with television and books, the moral lessons of the epics continue to inspire. They remind us of our shared culture and the unity that binds Indians together.
Extra Questions – Chapter 8: Unity in Diversity
Very Short Answer Questions
- Who said, “Oh, grant me my prayer, that I may never lose the bliss of the touch of the one in the play of the many”?
Answer: Rabindranath Tagore. - What was the People of India Project?
Answer: A survey by the Anthropological Survey of India studying 4,635 communities, their languages, and cultures. - Name two common food grains found all over India.
Answer: Rice and wheat. - Which two Indian epics have united people across the country?
Answer: The Rāmāyaṇa and the Mahābhārata. - Which traditional Indian dress reflects unity in diversity?
Answer: The sari.
Short Answer Questions
Q6. Explain how the sari reflects unity in diversity.
Answer: The sari is a single piece of cloth worn all over India, but it has hundreds of variations in weaving, fabric, colour, and draping styles. Whether it is Kanjivaram silk, Banarasi brocade, or cotton handloom, the sari represents both the common cultural heritage (unity) and the regional creativity (diversity) of India.
Q7. Give examples of a common festival celebrated under different names in India.
Answer: The harvest festival is celebrated as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri in Punjab, Bihu in Assam, Uttarayan in Gujarat, and Makar Sankranti in Maharashtra. Though names and rituals differ, the essence is the same — thanksgiving for harvest.
Long Answer Questions
Q8. What is meant by “unity in diversity” in the Indian scenario?
Answer (150 words):
“Unity in diversity” means that India, though diverse in languages, religions, food, dress, and customs, has an underlying unity of culture and values. With more than 1.4 billion people, 325 languages, and thousands of communities, India could appear divided. But shared traditions, respect for nature, and common values like dharma, truth, and family ties unite the nation. Festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Eid are celebrated by all communities. Epics like the Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata are known in every region in different versions. Common food grains, clothing styles, and arts also strengthen this unity. Thus, India celebrates diversity as enrichment while preserving unity as its foundation.
Q9. How do epics like the Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata represent unity in diversity?
Answer (120–150 words):
The Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata are originally in Sanskrit, but they have been translated and adapted into every major Indian language. Many regional and tribal communities have their own versions of these stories, linking their history with epic heroes like Rama, Sita, or the Pandavas. Folk songs, dances, plays, paintings, and sculptures depict episodes from the epics in local styles. Even outside India, in Southeast Asia, the Rāmāyaṇa has versions in Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia. Despite the diversity of forms, the values of dharma, sacrifice, and truth are common. This shows how the same story unites different regions, cultures, and communities across India and Asia.