India's Unique Multiculturalism - Shashi Tharoor

[MsPindian]

Many people have confusion about national language of India. Hindi is NOT the national language of India. In fact no language has been given the status of national language. Hindi is one of the two official languages (Raj Bhasha not Rashtriya Bhasha). Other official language being English. Official Languages of states are the local ones. AND THERE IS NO REASON TO FIGHT ON LANGUAGE OF INDIA FOR ANY SANE PERSON.

[MrAnandrp]

i like his speech...:)

[conor1977]

Ya ye all get on so well. That's why ye slaughter each other every now and then

[himanshu26sharma]

"HINDI" is NOT the NATIONAL LANGUAGE of INDIA Sir.

[ashutoshgrewal]

@himanshu26sharma IT IS!

[jerkyjynx]

@ashutoshgrewal no it is NOT.. it is the one of the two official languages of india.. there is no national language of India

[sindhu706]

@himanshu26sharma

Hindi is our national language..

[MAKootage]

@himanshu26sharma It will be soon.

[sushanalone]

India is and will be the hardest Democracy to exist! and it will

[sushanalone]

this pluralistic matrix exists but beneath that there is discrimination, hatred , differences, you can ignore them for now but ignoring problems doesn't solve the problems. if we were an accommodating pluralistic all encompassing society why would people be enraged at foreign Muslim bombers attacking India?the cracks show when the hammer hits hard.

Instead of living in delusion the country should address its problems. i am not being judgmental, just a 3rd person observation.

[sushanalone]

he is a camelion watch his debate with Christopher Hitchens, he chickens out .

he says that benignly that vandalism of property in a secular state by enraged mobs is improper but that the puyblishers, the victims of an article totally unrelated to religion is their responsibility and hence they are responsible for their destructive fate. then he says that the shutting down of MF hussain's exhibition was insulting, why the hypocracy?

[MrBEB123]

India is not a multicultural society. If someone were to travel there they would see what the statistics say and that is virtually everyone living there is of Indian dissent. Their is no real difference between Indians and Pakistanis either, none actually. I believe that White western nations should not have to put up with a non-White invasion since the same thing is not happening in non-White nations elsewhere around the World. If you feel the same as I do then come join the Nationalist movemen

[123456789080700]

i think shashi tharoor is really a very good orator and author , he can truly mesmerize people . he has got it but i dont understand one thing , why the hell are these people so corrupt , i dont blame mr shashi tharoor as 99% of all the minister we have in india are corrupt . i expect much more from people like him . he comes in the category of the great intellectuals we have in india . he can do wonders but i dont know where they all go wrong

[gulgulyi]

@sugartomappleroger which countrry are u from ?? In india the number of muslims are more than the no of muslims in pakistan so also are the no of christians

[MrEthekyaa]

America hasn't elected a non-Christian as President because it is the first democracy founded on the basis of a creed. On the other hand, India was founded as a secular, constitutional republic which has a constitution that mandates a 100% secular form of government.

[thescorpionking2010]

muslticulturalism is a disater,india shud remove the muslim scum from its territory,muslims r worse than skanes they'll bite u whenver they get a chnce,fuckin muslims,sonia gandhi italian bitch

[SugarTomAppleRoger]

TheScorpion. Do you think that being multi-cultural means having a few Muslim people in your country. I guess that means that all countries are multi-cultural, as they all have Muslims in them.

[ananddixit50]

BTW the so called urduised version of hindi finds mention in the constitution, knowns as 'Hindustani' but for some of us, Bliss thy name is ignorance!

[SugarTomAppleRoger]

In India multi-cultural? It is the exact opposite. Countries like the US, Canada and Australia are multi-cultural. Countries like England, India and Poland are not.

[dhruvvmenon]

Australia is multi-cultural?!? What are you, high?! They invaded the land, eradicated the natives, continue to refuse to treat non-english speakers with equal respect by beating them up at any possible moment, and you call them multi-cultural? Ha! Go read a book Einstein!

[SugarTomAppleRoger]

dhruvvmenon. You know that Australia is multicultural. There are people from all over the world working for Australian companies. You will mainly find Indian people working for Indian companies. You know and I know that India is probably the most mono-cultural place in the world. I'm not saying that is bad, just the way it as. As for non-English speakers, there are plenty of non English speakers in Australia. I have never heard such a statement intended to mislead people.

[dhruvvmenon]

'Dhruv' will suffice, thank you. To answer your comment, have you ever been to India? Because only if you've been to India will you understand how multicultural a nation of one people can be. Ethnically we all may be similar, but a southerner like me will be as alien as you are if I ever visited a region in the far north or east. Hell, I'll be as lost as you are if I was in state next door. Do not judge the culture of India from the Indians who are in Australia.

[SugarTomAppleRoger]

Dhruv. I have only passed though India, on the way to London. There were mainly Aeroflot planes there at the time, Soviet pilots and airport guards with .303 WW1 rifles. I guess things have changed. :)

Of course I realise that India is made up of many cultures in India. But when we say "multi-cultural" this usually means from all over the world. This term can only apply to the "new world" countries like the US and Australia. I would not say that any country in the EU is multi-cultural.

[SugarTomAppleRoger]

dhru. People do speak foreign languages quite often in Australia. They are not usually beaten up for it. There has been a lot of publicity given to Indian students being beaten up. As far as I can see, this is fairly isolated (small numbers, but maximum news coverage). I do take your point about treatment of the natives in Australia. This has historically been a disgrace. You must remember that white Australia has only been going for 200 years. India has obviously had a bit more history. :)

[iamsri]

I think you fail to differentiate between multi-racism and multi-culturalism. I don't understand how the Aussies even fit here, but talking of the USA and India, India does not have the abundance of races like USA does. What India does have is people of multiple languages (18 official), dialects in hundreds, religions (hindu, muslim, xtian, parsi, jewish, sikh, buddhist), castes/creeds, traditions- in sum, cultures interacting with each other over centuries and now => Multi-Culturalism

[SugarTomAppleRoger]

iamsri. OK. I guess a good anology is Europe which has many different languages and dialects, etc. I was getting confused with multi-cultural and multi-racial.

There seems to be a lot of talk of "multi-culturalism", that is "unique". Surely people will become more diverse in a country, depending on the population. I would have thought that the old Soviet Union was "multi-cultural" too.

[iamsri]

Yeah, Europe as a single entity is a good parallel. And given the globalization in the last decade, many countries are slowly becoming more or less multicultural.

And from my side, I guess the correct term was multiracialism - not multi-racism :-)

[kesh2212]

@SugarTomAppleRoger wtf? dude your stupid and know noithing about India. India's culture is very different from every where. Racially, as well as culturally. Sitting on your ass at a computer screen your not going to find this out, but all Indians are very different. In Punjab people come from Iran, in Kashmir they are from Afghanistan originally, there are mongolian descendants, african the lot. All speaking hundreds of different languages, travel india properly, or just be plain ignorant!

[Ooga001]

this stupid keralite coolie tharoor is another limpdick communist pandering to untouchables (muslims/christians/commies) and parades his erudition in oh so arrogant "accent". What a tool this faggot is.

[iamsri]

Hehhhh.. He does come off as pompous - not arrogant. The accent is not Indian - but given his extended tenure outside India, this is expected.

Look at the way he puts things and how he expresses "India and being Indian" effectively to outsiders - don't get put off by his "accent".

Seriously, some Indians have a habit of putting down their own, at the slightest hint of their being oh-not-so-modest. And "keralite, coolie, communist" stereotypes shows up your bias and frustrations more.

[Ooga001]

Your obfuscation of a simple point clearly shows your arrogance.

The fact that Tharoor is a keralite and communist is well known. As for coolie, he is a servant of that untouchable sonia GANDU so that's why I called him that. Plus, he miserably failed at trying to kiss ass and become secretary general of the UN. For what? To parade around in his 'cattle-class' planes and give lip-service to his white masters. Hence, tharoor is a shameless coolie.

Next.

[iamsri]

Keralite or Bengali does not automatically imply Communist.

Congresswadi does not automatically mean Sonia's servant.

If Tharoor *had* kissed US ass, he would probably be UNSG now.

Anyway, Arrogance? I don't think 9 out of 10 people would feel that way abt me - but then you are special. The more you write, the more your clueless, extremely prejudiced, foul-mouthed, judgmental without basis nature come to the fore. Write on man and show one and all, what you really are.

[Ooga001]

Instead of wasting time with untouchables like you, I have one suggestion for your kind and especially you: change your name from 'iamsri' to 'iamafaggot'.

Next.

[iamsri]

Wow. Per your site "proud, Hindu Brahmin trying to PROMOTE Sanatana Dharma and COUNTER blatant attacks on India and Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) by pseudo-secularists".

Hinduism and Brahminism both suffer due to people like you who do not understand the all-inclusive nature of Sanatana dharma. Who am I preaching to - you might grow up one day when you discover things that your insecure self will never comprehend with the current mindset of bias and hatred that has been conditioned into you.

[Ooga001]

I don't blame anyone else for the mindset I have developed over the past several years. I have experienced FIRSTHAND what these non-Hindus are about.

All-inclusive eh? No wonder you pseudo-secular monkeys can never be courageous enough to reprimand the untouchables (muslims/christians) as you'd be smashed instantly. Just wait, WWIII is coming and boy is it going to be fun! HINDU INDIA forever! Sit your monkey ass in the corner and recite the alphabet.

[iamsri]

Clueless again. Not even aware that the greatness of Hinduism/SD lies in it's accommodating nature.

You can get all judgmental, I have had a fair share here in talking down the so called dalit-nation adherents, real pseudo secularists and supporting courageous ones who say it like it is including VBhosle, Gautier. And also talking down extremist Muslims here and there. Been part of RSS camps too when you were in your nappies - used to be raw and immature and hot-blooded too like you are now.

[Ooga001]

You have been part of RSS? Right, and I am part of the Deoband.

Making up things in your old age; immature indeed.

[iamsri]

Yup. Camps in Nashik, social work and also daily drills before SSC - I used to identify with their self-defense approach once. But uncontrolled religion baiting, whipping up violent tendencies does not achieve much. Ditto with stupid extremists like Imam Bukhari and maulvis on the other side.

[Ooga001]

Interesting. However, are you of the mindset that India is for Hindus or for "everybody" including the muslim/christian/commie scum? If you are of the former mindset, then we are two sides of the same leaf, if not, FUCK OFF.

[iamsri]

Heh.. Brainwashed and closed scum like you bring bad name to other hindus (and Brahmins like me). It is not a person's fault that he is born into his community/religion. Go wallow in your own misery and exclusive club - other Indians have moved on (saw how BJP got kicked in the nuts twice or thrice?). Extremism in any form needs to be wiped out - I am done with asswipes now, bye.

[kotharianku]

Very well said! Extremism is killing India, be it on the basis of religion or region! I wish more ppl In India realized that..;)

[alambusha]

Hindi is not THE national language of India, it is just one of the national languages

[younick47]

That is correct india has 22 national languages

[ananddixit50]

@younick47 How ignorant of you!

[younick47]

@ananddixit50

ignorant of me??? go read the indian gov website

[ananddixit50]

Again, in the principal of jurisprudence, such constructions of statements were apparently not preempted by the founding fathers. The website says 22 National Languages, but the constitution bestows that status on not even ONE. they are all official languages. Hindi has special status as per articles 350 & 351.

[younick47]

you are stating exactly the opposite....we have 22 national langs of which hindi and english have been made official languages...tamilians aer fighting to make tamil one of the official language too...and if you ask me...I would say all 22 languages should get the status of being official

[MsPindian]

@younick47 they in fact get the official status in their respective states. I don't think any official work in tamilnadu is done in Hindi. have u seen?

[ananddixit50]

@alambusha Shut up... you seem to know nothing about the word 'nation' and hence such stupid comments on THE national language.

[dhruvvmenon]

You don't seem to know anything. How about reading a book or doing some research before blowing your own trumpet. Hindi and English are the Co-Official Languages of India. We do NOT have a national language. Still want to argue? type ' National language of India' on Google. If you can't, ask someone with a brain larger than peanut to help you.

[ananddixit50]

Unfrtntly whn ppl strt cnsdrng thngs on Ggl as the truth, msinfrmtion strts sprdng. Abt the ntnl lnguage, The Cnsttn of India (COI), (vs. sources like google) spcficaly lays dwn tht the Union recgnises 22 Lnguags, of which Hindi is the Offcal Lnguage in its Artcl 343(1), and as per the 8th Schdl. The Lttr and Sprt of Artcls 350 & 351 clarly indct what status the COI bestows on Hindi... you may like to call it natnl, unfyng, impsd or whtvr lnguage.

[iamsri]

Calling one language national, unifying over the others may work for some, not for all - that is exactly why the constitution calls Hindi an official language, not THE National language. A lang. is not exactly unifying, if it is perceived by a good majority as imposed!

Some make the point tht Hindi is preferable as it is a "local, indigenous" language as opposed to English - in that case please speak in pure Hindi - not the heavily Urduised version compared to untouched, Tamil (more local?)

[ananddixit50]

Thanks! when people turn to being psephologists, majority, regardless of what directive principles of state policy, or, national culture, or, the spirit of communication (not linguistics), may suggest, the majority wins. Good that Mayawati has prime ministerial ambitions, majority may some day land her at No.7 Race Course Road.

[SugarTomAppleRoger]

iamsri. Is it like Switzerland where there are four official languages - German, French, Italian and Romansch. You should be able to tell from the supermarket instructions. In Switzerland, products are have instructions in all four languages. Which languages are on Indian products? These will be the natonal languages.

[iamsri]

No one hates Hindi or against it, only an imposition is opposed eg. for central jobs in Chennai that do not need any interaction, you *need* hindi certification. Why? Give all languages equal status and use the de facto official language English for written communications.

If people move to other places - they will learn to communicate in Hindi, Marathi, Oriya whatever! This is what other countries do - SriLanka, Singapore.. Don't make this a test of patriotism.

[jon0441]

@alambusha well said

these hindiwalas promote their hindi to the south too which will not happen

[homapt]

Guys, do not listen to indiasucksalways.

He is a pakistani living in US. He is trying to make Indians speak bad things about America. Trust me, most Americans are very liberal. Just ignore this guy !

[rahulrata]

We are talking abt them being conmen. Are you sure that gates' company created the first OS? Facts, my friend, are alien to you.

[indiasucksalways]

Except that their multiculturalism doesn't include Americans. There are LAWS on the books making it illegal to hire Americans there.

[ashutoshmikku]

Which law r u talking about? Never heard of it.

[rahulrata]

sir, quoting a random offcial does not prove your point, and premji is as big a conman as bill gates etc.

you have a point about more indians working here rather than americans in india- there are more oppurtunities in america. however 'most' americans arent willing to face the hardships of the jobs taken by indians (ex coding in front of a computer, crunching numbers etc)

and India (like any other country) does not suck always.

[mariamn1990]

I like the stuff Shashi has to say. He's a good representative of India to the world and knows how to eloquently speak of the beauty of India's existance. But the man is a shit politician. Four days before UPI gave him the ticket to run for Lok Sabha, he was in America, on Fareed Zakaria's show, talking not about Trivandrum or Kerala or even India. The man was commenting on Obama. What kind of strategy is that to convince people that you aren't a complete brown sahib?

[priyawidluv]

luv u dude

[ijstream]

Sashi for PM!!

Jaiho!!

[motilalji]

come on indian bros pakistan is a fourth world religious dictatorship we have left behind years ago

cowrds cant even prevent innocent muslims being killed in swat velley and talk about conquering the world with second hand chinese missiles

how many 1971's do they want again?

[ViceroyofINDIA]

Moti ji,

Please do not talk bad about pakisthan they have good aswell as bad people just like we do in India bad always stands out

[sarjig]

Thats why India exist......

[pkenjige]

I enjoy Shashi Tharoor's sense of humor and his books ! They are so ethnic...

In addition, he may be one of the best intellect strategist and diplomat that India has ever produced..

About your repeating jokes ...

In Information Technology repeatable processes can be automated for efficiency, but in speeches repeated jokes sounds like a stuck record after couple of years!

I understand that he is strapped for time like an Egyptian mummy!Can I send new jokes please?

Pavithra

[fionaa14]

i love shashi

:)

[priyvratgadhvi]

shashi tharoor!! The man India s proud to have..

[tamaka26]

if u actually look at history, you would notice that muslims have always out-breed the population and estabilised dominance. Once muslims estabilise dominance, they do not give a damn about any one else. They even go to the extend of taking out human rights like we see in some of the Muslim dominated countries...!!

[jacobdjanze]

you say it as if it's done through deliberate action on behalf of all the muslim men boning all the muslim women... regardless of what the end result was, I'm pretty sure they just wanted to get laid like the rest of us do.

"They" doesn't refer to the average islamic person in your 2nd statement, it refers to the idealistic suppressors and extremists. I'm agnostic and view any form form of theism as foolish but at the same time see members of big religion often judged radically and unfairly...

[GulRamani]

Do not find it so cool, Mr. Tharoor, the Prime Minister uttering like a parrot a language he does not understand. Either he should learn Hindi or have the courage to speak in Kannadda with simul. translation.

[GulRamani]

Mr. Shashi Tharoor; do you also forgive people if they have other opinion as yours?

[bryanfernandes1980]

wow shashi wonderful speech.i am a proud indian catholic

[infoabhi]

I agree with 'bizinessman123' and 'Punjabsouljaa'...the fact is not all the muslims are terrorists,but every terrorist is a 'muslim'

[jacobdjanze]

hah! In modern times, yes, many terrorists are muslim but to use the word EVERY is a big lie...

terrorist incidents happen everywhere, particularly in India, Israel, Spain, Russia, Nepal and Columbia but also significantly in the rest of the world. The terrorists involved in such incidents is usually an indicator of with which ethnic or social group there is more conflict with establishment among.

terrorist incidents are a horrendous burden to us but they are not inherent to one group of ppl

[tapobrataha]

Can you imagine that some Ban Ki Moon assumed leadership of United Nations instead of this man?

[Punjabsouljaa]

most true indians (sikhs hindus) being wiped out by muslims! and racism is on the rise in India. India's more racist than Russia!

[gillb123]

umm...where did u get this from? HINDU fundamentalists are killing muslims, christians and other minorities in india. know your facts before u open ur mouth!!

[bizinessman123]

gill u idiot where are you getting your facts from? Let's look at facts, just after partition, 40% of Pakistan was Hindu, now less than 6% are.

In Bangladesh, (which Pakistan wanted to Invade and India helped without ANY ulterior motive like we always do), 60% were hindus about 50 years ago, now, less than 10% are.

In India however, there has been an INCREASE in the muslim population I believe from 6% to about 13% and same with others. If we were against the minorities, it wouldn't be so.

[jacobdjanze]

while these facts are certainly relevant, they do not speak for themselves. "being wiped out" suggests some sort of genocide when religious conversion and geographic immigration have much more to do with it, despite the acts of violence that also occur.

[jacobdjanze]

whoopsie, thought it was bizinessman123 who made the remark about "true" indians being whiped out by muslims but it was actually Punjabsouljaa.

[iitzeus]

you and punjabsoul are both fucked up.

[awgu]

Bravo India!

[idlebar]

he was left out bcoz he is ASian

[priyvratgadhvi]

no..an asian actually won the race..ban ki moon of south korea..

[Mohib]

So pertinent. Tharoor would have made an excellent UN Secretary General.

[okee7]

So true! But I think traditionally no other institution epitomizes this pluralism more than the Indian defence forces. For example during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War the Indian army chief was Gen. Manekshaw, a Parsee. His commander in the western front was Lt.Gen. Candeth, a Christian and in the eastern front was Lt.Gen. Aurora, a Sikh. Lt.Gen. Aurora's brilliant incharge of the Bangladesh liberation was Maj. Gen. Jacob, a Jew.