Embracing Diversity in the ‘Celebrate Diversity Month’

We are in the month of April and I came to U.S. in the month of April as well couple of years ago. I came to know April is celebrated as ‘Celebrate Diversity Month.’ Indeed, it is very apt celebration of the times. We need to celebrate diversity around us, in our education, in our work, in our communities and every place where we invest our time. In a land where people pour from different parts of the world, the diversity in all aspects – be it gender diversity, racial diversity, ethnic diversity, religious diversity, cultural diversity, language diversity etc is indeed a coming together to people to celebrate diversity in itself. This idea of coming together of people or grouping people from diverse backgrounds is indeed a celebration. How beautiful will it look when diverse people mingle together and work in rich harmony representing the best of the models to include all and leave none.  

I don’t mingle with many persons but whenever I ride a cab, there are people who provide a cab service from diverse nations. I came across cab owners from 10 nations or more, not those from all I rode but those limited people whom I spoke to. It’s very pleasing when someone from Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam etc picks you up and provide a needed service. We don’t get to see this in any other part of the world. This grouping of different sets of people who pour in as immigrants from around the world gives a rich diversity, an important fabric and a building block to U.S. This august assembly of varied people which can be seen everywhere in this nation can be the reason for initiating the month of April as ‘Celebrate Diversity Month.’ 

Let us look at the diversity in both the nations I am living. As already mentioned, U.S. is a synonym to diversity. The United States is a melting pot of cultures with people from a wide range of national backgrounds. On a global scale, there are 193 member states of the United Nations, and many of these nations’ citizens are represented in the diverse population of the U.S. or the U.S. is home to individuals from nearly every country in the world. White Americans make up approximately 60.1% of the total population and the remaining are from African, Hispanic, Asian and native origins. U.S. is a land of immigrants. As of 2020, around 44.9 million immigrants lived in the U.S., making up about 13.7% of the total population who come from diverse countries. This foreign-born population increased from 31 million in 2000 to 45 million in 2020. This group adds a rich flavor of diversity to U.S. where no other country is as attractive to foreigners as this nation and where the living gods from different nations do not flock in huge numbers to any other nation. No other country experiences an incoming millions of foreigners at this scale. For example, during the period from 2000 to 2020, India experienced emigration rather than any significant immigration. Many Indians migrated to other countries rather than people coming to India and make it their home. This is same with most other nations as well where foreigners hardly flock to any other major nations. This factor sets U.S. apart and this should be richly celebrated for being a scintillating magnet for people to come into and make a living. I fall into this bracket, and I am all for proper, procedural and methodical immigration, encouragement thereof or temporary settlement. It is still a puzzle why a blessing like this is opposed by a section of Americans. Nevertheless, this external pouring of diverse people into U.S. augurs extremely well for the nation’s rich diversity. This social and political pluralism should be encouraged in the nation and any barriers should be opposed for creating a rich tapestry of cultures, backgrounds, and identities. India is called a sub-continent for its diversity and U.S. can evolve to be called a continent or a miniature representation of the world. This will lead to the rise of a nation which is nothing but a ‘Celebration of Diversity.’ 

Moving to the home nation, India is a country of great diversity as well, with a multitude of ethnicities, castes, religions, and languages. India is home to a rich mixture of ethnic diversity, with more than 2,000 distinct ethnic groups. There are approximately 3,000 castes and 25,000 sub-castes in India, each traditionally linked to specific occupations. There are six major religions in India. India is incredibly diverse linguistically, with over 1,600 languages and dialects spoken across the country. While Hindi is the national language, there are 22 officially recognized languages and numerous regional languages spoken by different communities. The cultural diversity of India is a result of its unique geography, historical migrations, and the coexistence of a multitude of communities and ways of life. This diversity is celebrated and is a cornerstone of the nation’s identity. Before independence, there are as many as 584 princely states or as many sections representing diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds. ‘Unity in diversity’ became cornerstone of the independent India where people truly co-exist with thousands of different mindsets. People look for more reasons to unify than divide and separate. In a way, people have learnt to appreciate this diversity on the table and understand the nuances of the making of India. Nowhere else will we find thousands of divisions within a single country. Leave a country, a seemingly single state of Andhra Pradesh has 723 castes which create thin, transparent barriers between people at times. These are the kind of differences which come out when there are hundreds or thousands of identities existing across the land. Still, as mentioned, these divisions should be a reason to celebrate the rich diversity rather than becoming a reason for separation. These divisions are unified by a single unifying force or the idea of India, the great homeland which exemplifies diversity in action from people within. 

I am very proud to represent two nations which have been extremely diverse through people from outside and through people from within the boundaries of nation. There are no two similar nations in the world which are as varied as these two. Diversity is a generic term which belongs to these nations and the acronym “DEI” or Diversity, Equality and Inclusion is practiced in many matured organizations worldwide. The homogenous or the state of existence of similar people can sometimes come across as primitive mindset or needing development. When we are celebrating diversity, one can wonder why it is so special. There are many established reasons or many advantages to look for diversity in our communities, workplaces, states, nations and any working groups. Let me touch upon a few advantages of this diverse population. 

Cultural Enrichment: Diversity brings a richness of cultures, languages, traditions, and perspectives to a nation, fostering a vibrant and dynamic society. Exposure to different cultural practices and beliefs promotes cultural understanding, tolerance, and appreciation. 

Innovation and Creativity: Diverse societies often benefit from a wide range of perspectives and experiences, which can spur innovation and creativity. Different viewpoints can lead to novel solutions to problems, drive entrepreneurship, and enhance competitiveness in various fields. 

Economic Growth: Diversity can contribute to economic growth by expanding markets, attracting talent and investment, and fostering entrepreneurship. Diverse workforces can also be more adaptable, productive, and innovative, leading to increased competitiveness and prosperity. 

Social Cohesion and Harmony: Embracing diversity promotes social cohesion and harmony by fostering inclusivity, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging among diverse communities. When individuals from different backgrounds interact and collaborate, it can help bridge divides, reduce prejudice, and promote social integration. 

Global Perspective and Diplomacy: Nations with diverse populations are often better equipped to engage with the global community and navigate international relations effectively. Understanding diverse cultures and perspectives enhances diplomatic efforts, promotes cross-cultural communication, and fosters international cooperation. 

Talent and Skill Diversity: Diverse societies can tap into a broad pool of talent and skills, leveraging the unique abilities and expertise of individuals from different backgrounds. This diversity of talent can enhance workforce productivity, drive innovation, and address skill shortages in various sectors. 

Resilience and Adaptability: Diverse societies tend to be more resilient and adaptable in the face of challenges and change. Exposure to diverse viewpoints and experiences can help communities develop problem-solving skills, adapt to new circumstances, and thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. 

Embracing diversity is not only a matter of social justice and human rights but also a strategic imperative for nations seeking to foster inclusive, prosperous, and resilient societies in an increasingly diverse and interconnected global landscape. 

From all the above, I am all for DEI – Diversity, Equality and Inclusion or every person is born equal or should be treated equally. But are we really practicing it on the ground and in our workplaces. Infact, this diversity or the lack of it which is partiality or unfairness is a burning topic of the times. At a high level, it simply means promoting your own people or working to the advantage of your own people. It treats people unequally, leaves them behind or excludes them. Even if not looking at the other outcomes, it is a boon for some people (Not me, really) when living with their own people or working with their own people. We cannot see the same kind of work emanating in any other setting. When you are with your own people, it creates an altogether different picture. But this boundary creation or group setting should not be a conscious choice but involuntary selection. When you are poised to grow, you find your own people. For eg, I am an extremely diverse person who treats everyone equally at heart. If it is not the case, it is because of a limited scope for a probable chance but not conscious choice. The same should be the rule when we are looking at non-diverse working groups – it is ok if it through accident and for the greater good. 

With that, let us toil to find diversity in action and let us toil to find ourselves in our own ‘diverse’ groups. Diversity should be a conscious choice at any cost where every person should have a fair chance for growth and success, more for the advantages it offers; the lack of it should be relegated to a limited scope of unintended consequence. Either way, let this pursuit of embracing diversity be a huge inspiration where every section of the nation benefits from and draws inspiration for overall growth.