integration day essay

Importance of National Integration for Students and Children

500+ words essay on importance of national integration.

National Integration is the bond and togetherness between people regardless of their caste, creed, religion or gender . It is the feeling of oneness, brotherhood and social unity under communities and society in a country. National Integration helps to keep the country unified and strong from within despite the diversities. So, the importance of national integration can be from the fact that the nation which remains integrated. It will always progress on the track of development and prosperity.

What is the Importance of National Integration?

National integration plays a dynamic role in making the country as one. This happens only by uniting every section of society. It provides an equal opportunity for each citizen. It also offers an equal platform in terms of social, cultural and economic development .

National integration also helps to unite the minorities as well as gives them the freedom to live their life in their way without any interference. Thus National integration is also essential for the country’s development. Because the country with national unity will always flourish and develop.

Aims of National Integration

National integration principally aims at providing a better environment for the people of a country. Thus they can develop themselves in all the aspects. It also aids to bind multi-racial and multilingual country like India, which has people with diverse culture and tradition. It also multiplies the union of brotherhood amongst communities, societies and the people.

National integration also helps in keeping the stability of a country and adds up to its whole development. It supports to nurture communal harmony and fights casteism, regionalism, and linguism, etc. National Integration improves the feeling of loyalty and fraternity towards the nation. It unites the people in case of any national emergency.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

How to Promote National Integration?

As national integration demonstrates a crucial part in the development of a country, it becomes important to develop the feeling of national integrity among its citizens. Therefore, focus on all the sections of society and making them financially dependent will promote national integration.

This will help to promote economic integrity. This is one of the most important factors in promoting national integration. Tolerance and respect for other caste or religion also support to promote national integrity. Education, social and cultural unity, equality among people also helps to teach the feeling of national integration.

Advantages of National Integration

National integration plays a very important role in the political, economic, cultural and social dimensions of a country. It helps the country in the following ways:

• Promotes Social Harmony

National integration makes the people of a country be present in harmony. This works only by strengthening the social bond between them. It indorses brotherhood, peace, and tolerance among them.

• Unites the Nation

National integration aids to unite people of different race, caste, creed or thoughts and makes the country as a single entity. it strengthens the country and makes it powerful on the international platform.

• Increases Economic Growth

It is a well-known fact that the country has less internal matters and problems. They will always prosper and develop. The country which is united will always have fewer problems as compared to the country which is socially unstable.

• Promotes Loyalty for the Nation

National integration indorses loyalty of the citizen for the country. It aids to make people join hands and stand for the advancement of the country forgetting their petty issues.

Significance of National Integration in Modern Era

National integration plays a more significant role in modern times. Hence it has challenges like communalism, regionalism, linguism, etc. Global terrorism is also one of the major threats to national integration. While few people with radical thoughts convince the population and brainwash them. They provoke them against their motherland.

In the era of technological advancements and the accessibility of social media. It is very easy to get deceived. National integration helps to ignore these situations. It makes people intellectually mature and tolerant.

National integration is very significant for a country because it is seen many times in the history of mankind that the integrity of a nation fell in danger. It had confronted major challenges from within and also became a victim of foreign assaults. Hence national integration plays a significant role in making of a nation. It keeping it alive in history with sustained development.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Essay On National Integration Day

Table of Contents

Short Essay On National Integration Day

National Integration Day is a day that is celebrated in India on November 19th every year. This day is dedicated to promoting national unity and cultural diversity, and is a time for all Indians to come together to celebrate the richness and diversity of their country.

National Integration Day was first celebrated in India in the year 1969, in response to the growing tensions and division among different religious and cultural groups in the country. The idea behind this day was to promote the message of unity and national integration, and to encourage all Indians to come together to celebrate their shared cultural heritage.

Today, National Integration Day is celebrated in many different ways across India. In schools and colleges, special programs are organized to promote the message of national unity and to educate students about the importance of national integration. In communities and neighborhoods, people come together to participate in cultural events, festivals, and other activities that celebrate the diversity and richness of India’s cultural heritage.

National Integration Day is an important occasion for all Indians, as it provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of national unity and cultural diversity. By coming together to celebrate this day, we can help to promote greater understanding and harmony among different religious and cultural groups, and work towards a stronger, more united India.

In conclusion, National Integration Day is a day that is dedicated to promoting national unity and cultural diversity in India. By celebrating this day, we can help to foster greater understanding and harmony among different religious and cultural groups, and work towards a stronger, more united nation.

Long Essay On National Integration Day

National Integration Day is an important day for all of us as it is a reminder not only to be proud of our nation but also to recognize the importance of unity and solidarity. This article will explore the unique ways in which we can celebrate National Integration Day, and how this celebration can be used to bring people from different backgrounds together. Read on to find out more!

Introduction: What Is National Integration Day?

India is a land of diversity. It is a country where people of different religions, caste, creed, and culture live together. National Integration Day is observed on 19th November every year to promote the feeling of unity and brotherhood among the people of India. The day aims to instill the values of national integration in the hearts of people and to create an atmosphere of harmony and peace.

Why Is National Integration Day Important?

National Integration Day is observed on 19th of November every year in India. This day is celebrated to promote the feeling of Unity and National Integration amongst people of India. It was first celebrated in 2014. The main aim behind celebrating this day is to make people aware of the need for national integration and to instill a sense of pride and patriotism in them for their country.

This day is also observed as the National Integration Day because on this day, all the schools, colleges and offices remain open and functioning as usual. This helps in maintaining the normalcy and orderliness in society. It also sends out a strong message that no matter what happens, we all stand united as one nation.

Apart from that, various events are organized on this day to promote national integration amongst people. These events include seminars, workshops, group discussions, cultural programs etc. All these activities help in fostering a sense of unity and brotherhood amongst people belonging to different regions, religions and caste.

Thus, we can say that National Integration Day is an important day which should be celebrated by one and all in order to promote feelings of Unity and National Integration in our country.

Historical Background of National Integration Day

National Integration Day is celebrated on 19th November in India. It is also known as Quami Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day. The day marks the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of the founding fathers of the Republic of India. Patel was instrumental in uniting the princely states and colonies under a single flag after independence.

The day is observed to promote national integration and harmony among all people of India. Various events and programmes are organised across the country on this day to spread the message of unity and brotherhood. National Integration Day is a reminder of the need for all citizens to work together for the progress and development of our nation.

Different Ways to Celebrate the Day

There are many different ways to celebrate National Integration Day. Here are some ideas:

1. Have a national flag flying proudly in your home or office.

2. Write an essay or blog post about what national integration means to you and how it can be achieved.

3. Share photos and stories of cultural events and festivals that you have attended with your friends and family.

4. Get involved in community projects that promote harmony between different cultures and groups.

5. Plan a trip to a place where you can learn more about the history and culture of another country or region.

6. Learn a new skill or hobby that is popular in another culture.

7. Make a point of learning about the customs and traditions of other cultures, even if you don’t plan on celebrating them yourself.

8. Most importantly, be respectful of others and their cultures, even if they are different from your own!

How to Spread Awareness About National Integration Day

In order to spread awareness about National Integration Day, there are a few things that you can do. You can start by sharing information about the day with your friends and family. You can also post information about the day on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Additionally, you can write an essay or blog post about the importance of national integration and why it is important to celebrate this day. Finally, you can participate in local events or activities that are organized to promote national integration. By taking part in these activities, you will help to raise awareness about this important day and its significance.

The Role of Education in Fostering Unity

Education plays a crucial role in fostering unity among people. It helps people develop an understanding and respect for others, and learn to work together towards common goals.

Through education, people can learn about the diversity of cultures and religions, and how to appreciate and respect the differences. They can also learn about the shared values and traditions that bind us together as a nation. Education thus helps create a sense of belonging and identity among people, and instills in them a sense of pride and loyalty towards their country.

In today’s world, where there is so much division and hatred, it is more important than ever to promote unity through education. By teaching our children to be tolerant and open-minded, we can hope to build a more peaceful and harmonious society for future generations.

National Integration Day provides a great opportunity to remind ourselves of our shared history and culture, as well as the incredible diversity that exists in India. Through activities such as celebrating each other’s cultures, engaging in conversations about national integration, and volunteering for social causes, we can move closer towards an inclusive society where all citizens feel empowered and respected. Let us use National Integration Day to drive meaningful change in our country by recognizing our differences while also finding common ground with one another.

Manisha Dubey Jha is a skilled educational content writer with 5 years of experience. Specializing in essays and paragraphs, she’s dedicated to crafting engaging and informative content that enriches learning experiences.

Related Posts

Essay on importance of yoga, essay on cow, climate change essay, essay on slaver, leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

• Importance of National Integration Essay

Essay on Importance of National Integration

A bond of togetherness between people irrespective of their caste, creed, religion and gender is national integrity. This is a feeling of oneness and brotherhood in a country where diversity is the main ethos. National Integration keeps the entire country tote and strong, despite the differences in culture, language, and main livelihood. An integrated nation will always progress towards development and prosperity.

Aims of National Integration

A country like India has people from different cultures, languages and races and national integration not just aims to bind them together but also aims at giving them a better environment to live and prosper. 

National Integration helps in keeping the stability of the country and helps in its development. 

It nurtures communal harmony and fights casteism, regionalism and linguistic differences. 

It improves the feeling of loyalty towards the nation and aims at uniting people in case of emergency.  

National integrity focuses on all the sections of the society, thereby making them financially independent. 

Through it, the State aims to promote economic integration too. 

No foreign assault can ever break the back of a nation that is united in a true sense. 

Education, social and cultural unity, and equal access to all basic rights and amenities foster a sense of integrity in the citizens of a country.

Importance of National Integration

National integration plays a crucial role in the political, economic, cultural and social dimensions of a country. It helps the country in the following ways:

Promotes Social Harmony 

Due to national integration, the social bond between people strengthens in the country, thereby endorsing brotherhood, peace and tolerance among them.

Unites the Nation 

This unites people from a different race, caste, creed or thoughts, and makes the country a single entity, thereby strengthening the country and making it internationally powerful.

Increases Economic Growth

Since this country has the least internal matters and problems, the economic growth will prosper and develop.

Promotes Loyalty for the Nation

National Integration endorses the loyalty of the citizen to the country. It aids to make people join hands and stand for the advancement of the country forgetting their petty issues.

Significance of National Integration in Modern Era

National Integration plays a crucial role during modern times and challenges communalism, regionalism, linguism, etc. However, global terrorism is a major threat to national integration. Only a few people with radical thoughts convince the population and brainwash them. They provoke them against their motherland.

In the era of technological advancements and the accessibility of social media, it is very easy to get deceived. National integration helps to ignore these situations. It makes people intellectually mature and tolerant.

National integration is very significant for a country because it is seen many times in the history of mankind that the integrity of a nation fell in danger. It had confronted major challenges from within and also became a victim of foreign assaults. Hence, national integration plays a significant role in the making of a nation. It keeps the history of the country sustained with development.

National Integration in India is critical for increasing unity among all segments of society in a country like India, which is rich in diversity in many aspects of life. This article explains the role of the school system, film, individuals from the middle class, people from the working class, intellectuals, various multinational corporations, and the media in fostering national integration.

What is the role of education in national integration?

Education is important because it alters our views and ideas. Fortunately, India has had excellent educators both before and after independence. School instructors have an important role in developing the brains of the country's young children. Throughout history, several historical figures like Rani Laxmi Bai and Lal Bahadur Shastri, as well as iconic phrases such as 'Inquilab Zindabad,' have infiltrated our collective psyche.

 The syllabus developed by NCERT with the assistance of famous academics has also played an important role in developing the concept of India. Furthermore, students frequently relocate to other areas of the country to pursue further education at various colleges.

This has enabled young minds to think beyond their areas, castes, and religions. Universities around the nation, such as Delhi University, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Osmania University, to mention a few, have students from all over the country who, in a short period, acquire a pan-Indian mindset that transcends any cultural or ethnic boundaries. Unfortunately, our student enrollments in higher education institutions remain very low, with only about 12-13 percent of our population having access to higher education, whereas, in the United States, it is about 87 per cent, in Europe, it is more than 50 per cent, and in China, it is about 25 per cent.

 Thus, one may anticipate that shortly, with the establishment of private universities and government initiatives, higher education will not only become more accessible, but student enrollments in these institutions will also increase.

People from various cultural groups, as well as marginalized groups such as minorities, women, tribal groups, and so on, who had previously been alienated from the national mainstream, have gradually aligned themselves with the mainstream, owing largely to the efforts of an inclusive education system. "Right education available to everybody is arguably the primary solution for most of our maladies," said Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

What is the purpose of national integration?

The goals of national integration are as follows:

Boost the sense of camaraderie.

Reduce religious, regional, racial, and cultural disparities.

Active and energetic dissemination of the ideals for which our country stands, particularly tolerance and peace.

Mobilize constructive societal forces in the interest of national unity and solidarity, and provide them with leadership, encouragement, and articulation.

Reduce homicides, massacres, and riots, among other things.

Contribute to the nation's development. Increase people's togetherness.

Middle-class, intellectual, and working-class contributions

It is vital to highlight that none of these classes can afford to be confined to a certain place. The middle class, for example, is a highly mobile society that regularly moves across states for business, school, or job opportunities. People from many cultural and regional origins have settled in cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, and Calcutta, among others, and made these cities their homes. 

This segment of the middle class may readily relate to the concept of India. In Mumbai alone, one may see individuals from all across India, many of them have come there in pursuit of better possibilities. Although individuals transferring from smaller cities to larger ones encounter a variety of challenges, one of which is being classified as "outsiders."

Their will to stay and overcome the obstacles, on the other hand, reflects their faith in the notion of India. The same may be said about the working class. Similarly, intellectuals, by their liberal character, do not confine themselves to caste, class, religion, or location. They oppose the concept of competing values and instead work for the collaborative upliftment of humans and humanity. 

Since the emergence of consciousness of rights and oneness, there have been several instances where the whole intellectual community has spoken out against the state's arbitrary acts against people' creative expression, regardless of caste, creed, religion, or location. This creates room for diverse expressions within a unified India.

FAQs on Importance of National Integration Essay

1. What function does education play in promoting national integration?

Contributions to the formation of habits, attitudes, and character characteristics that would enable its residents to undertake the obligations of democratic citizenship and to confront all those fissiparous tendencies that impede the establishment of a wide, national, and secular worldview. National integration is a psychological and pedagogical process that involves the formation of a sense of togetherness, solidarity, and cohesiveness in the hearts of people, as well as a sense of shared citizenship and allegiance to the nation. It is intellectual integration that education may achieve.

2. What is the purpose of national integration?

 Boost the sense of camaraderie.

3. What is the role of the Constitution in National Integration?

Three features of the Constitution aided greatly in establishing national integration. The Preamble, which began with the letters "We the people of India," i.e. Bharat. Then there are the Fundamental Rights, which are established in the constitution and provide equal rights to all people, regardless of religion, region, caste, gender, creed, etc. The Directive Principles of State Policy, which direct states to take actions toward achieving equality, justice, and liberty for everyone. The Preamble's ideals will be formed through the Directive Principles of State Policy. When taken together, these three aspects of our Constitution strive to create conditions for an equal society in which individual liberties are protected.

4. What is the role of the Planning and Finance commission in National Integration?

National integration was aided by the Planning Commission, Finance Commission, Election Commission, UPSC, CAG, SC, HC, and other commissions. In addition, there are PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings) where staff from various regions of the country are picked through competitive tests. One may discover a mini-India in the residential townships of PSUs like SAIL, BHEL, NTPC, and others. They have had a significant impact in subverting regional sentiments. Recently, the Planning Commission, which has been superseded by the NITI Aayog, has expanded the notion of cooperative federalism, which strives to increase state engagement in nation-building. The Central Government, in its recent 14th Finance Commission proposals, devolved a larger portion (42 per cent) of the divisible pool of taxes to states, allowing them additional budgetary freedom. This demonstrates the Central Government's increased confidence in the role of states in nation-building.

5. What exactly is the significance of national integration?

National integration contributes to the stability and prosperity of the country. It promotes communal cohesion while combating casteism, regionalism, and linguistic distinctions. It fosters a sense of patriotism and strives to bring people together. In a country like India, people of all cultures, languages, and races coexist, and national integration attempts not only to bring them together but also to provide them with a better environment in which to live and develop. National integration is highly important for a country since the integrity of a nation has been threatened numerous times throughout history. It has faced significant internal obstacles as well as external assaults. As a result, national integration is crucial in the formation of a nation. It keeps the country's past alive via growth.

National Integration Day

National Integration Day is observed on November 19 every year to mark the birth anniversary of the first woman Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. The day aims to motivate people about keeping unity, peace, love, and brotherhood among them. In this article you will read about the importance of the National Integration Day.

As UPSC surprises aspirants with questions linked with what usually is assumed to be trivia; it is advisable that one must scroll through the facts about National Integration Day to get the basic information. The topic, if at all asked in the UPSC Prelims , will form the part of the current affairs.

Facts about National Integration Day

Read the below-mentioned facts about National Integration Day; and aid your IAS Exam preparation along with other competitive exams’ preparation.

The topic can be asked as a Current Affairs Question in IAS Prelims. Visit the attached link to attempt practice quizzes on current affairs .

To read more about the other Important International and National days click on the link. Such days and events become very important for UPSC Prelims.

About National Integration Day

• National Integration Day is also known as “ Quami Ekta Divas “. The day is celebrated all across India to promote harmony.
• Since India is diverse in terms of culture, multiple languages, religions, geographical diversity and ethnicity, it is important for all to respect all the cultures and religions and mix together with each other to keep the unity intact.
• Therefore the day is important to strengthen unity and to develop a better understanding of society.
• National Integration Day 2021 marks the 104th birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi.

Read about the National Emergency in the linked article.

Significance of National Integration Day

• National integration means coming together of people and having universal acceptance, brotherhood, harmony and unity amongst various factors like historical and political background, social and economic differences, linguistic variations and cultural ethnicities.
• The day is used to dissuade the youth of our country to engage with anti-social elements and other anti-national activities which may threaten the unity of the nation.
• The day is celebrated to pay tribute to Indira Gandhi , who while serving as the first woman Prime Minister, made several reforms in the country.
• On this day every year, many events and programmes are held in schools and universities, across the country like Inter State Youth Exchange Programme (ISYEP), National Integration Camp (NIC), National Youth Festival and National Youth Award.

About Indira Gandhi

• Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi was born on 19 November 1917 in Allahabad to the first Prime Minister of India, JL Nehru .
• She married Feroze Gandhi in 1942 and in 1955 became a Congress Working Committee member and in 1959 became the President of CWC . She joined the Cabinet of Lal Bahadur Shastri as the Minister for Information. In 1966 after the sudden death of Lal Bahadur Shastri at Tashkent, Russia, she became the Prime Minister of India.
• Indira Gandhi was a great politician and played a major role in strengthening the Indian democratic structure and tradition. She is majorly known for the 1971 war against Pakistan under her leadership. She was an enthusiast of music, literature and fine arts. She received the Bharat Ratna in 1971.

Note : As UPSC 2022 approaches, use BYJU’S free Daily Video Analysis of The Hindu Newspaper to augment your preparation.

Related Links-

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request OTP on Voice Call

Post My Comment

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Register with byju's & watch live videos.

• In the News

• News & Events
• Data Updates
• Research & Policy
• Press Releases

Research Areas

• Homelessness
• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
• Inclusionary Zoning
• Mitchell Lama
• Preservation and Opt outs
• Property Taxes
• Public Housing/NYCHA
• Rent Regulation/Stabilization
• Multifamily Housing Resilience
• Planning for Climate Change
• Superstorm Sandy
• Foreclosure
• Homeownership
• Housing Prices
• Land Prices
• Rental Housing Finance
• Housing Court
• Historic Preservation & Landmarks
• Transferable Development Rights
• Hotel Conversions
• Office Conversions
• Public Safety
• Economic Development
• Gentrification
• Racial/Ethnic Segregation
• Schools & Education
• View All Publications
• About Our Research

Publication Type

• Books/Chapters
• Policy Briefs
• Data Briefs
• White Papers
• Working Papers
• NYS Housing 2023
• In Our Backyard
• The Dream Revisited
• Policy Minute
• Policy Breakfasts
• Housing Solutions Lab
• Directory of NYC Housing Programs
• Neighborhood Data Profiles
• State of NYC Housing & Neighborhoods

• Introduction
• Discussions

In Search of Integration: Beyond Black & White

by Rucker C. Johnson | January 2014

I appreciate the opportunity to join this blog platform and react to the thoughtful, provocative, and rich comments set forth by my colleague, Mary Pattillo.  While my comments are not direct replies to her main tenets, my views are certainly aligned with her points and sentiments.  I hope my response will further the all-important purpose of this dialogue.

As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of one of the singular high points of the Civil Rights Movement—the March on Washington—it is important to recall that its educational goal was the desegregation of all school districts.  Despite the March and the resulting policy changes, today as a nation, we sit in a backslidden condition.  America’s schools are more segregated now than they were in the early 1970s. 

Often, the words desegregation and integration are used interchangeably, as if they are one and the same.  Conflating the two is erroneous, and lacks an understanding of the process MLK envisioned--"to change behavior, not only laws."  Desegregation alone was not enough. Along the highway of justice, desegregation was to be an immediate point of origination—the final destination: equal opportunity for all.  Integration, however, was to be the map guiding the hearts and minds to a paradigm shift that would take us beyond legalistic compliance with desegregation into the spirit of the democratic dream of integration and inclusion.  Brown was intended not only to promote equitable access to school quality, but also to alter the attitudes and socialization of all children—beginning at the youngest ages.  Beyond the removal of the legal and social prohibitions of segregation, beyond law enforcement agencies and the courts, desegregation was a necessary but not sufficient condition that represented the partial down-payment, the lay away plan, toward the final goals of equal educational opportunity and inclusion.

Outmoded and unjust laws are not the only barriers to change. While the rollout of civil rights laws washed away segregated public facilities, it could not wash away the greatest barriers to true equality: fear, prejudice, and irrationality.  Efforts to achieve either desegregation or integration singularly have proven elusive because the two are inseparable.  King anticipated this when he said, "Desegregation is enforceable…integration is not," because it requires changes in attitudes.  The response—white and middle class flight, segregated classes within desegregated schools, lower expectations for students of color, disparate disciplinary measures, and racist attitudes—certainly short-circuited the efforts to move beyond desegregation to integrated communities.  Too often policy makers have settled for superficial fixes to the complexities of integration.  As a result, we are fifty years down the path, but in many respects, virtually no closer to the destination. 

Because of the persistent patterns of segregation, many view segregation as inevitable.  Spoiler Alert: not so…and history is our witness that policy choices play a key role.  Urban cities are hyper-segregated because of the legacy of historic patterns of racial discrimination in mortgage lending, the geography of public housing units, racially-motivated city planning and zoning policy, highway construction, and gentrified development strategies that price poor families out of their existing neighborhoods, to name a few.  Such unfairness creates greater inequities and exacerbates existing poverty.  It is unconscionable that in 1968, when MLK died, the black child poverty rate was 35%, and it is the same rate today.  Poverty, like segregation, is man-made, and thus can be unmade by man.

Focusing again on desegregation….at first glance, the initial effort toward school desegregation may appear to have been about merely placing people as pawns, mixing up the social Rubik’s Cube, or constructing a color compound for success.  Placing brown bodies next to white bodies does not osmotically improve the life trajectory of Blacks, nor does it infuse Blacks’ wealth holdings or resources with that of whites.  Though the cultural mosaic of diversity is a positive outcome of integration, for the proponents of Brown, diversity per se was not the steam propelling the train down the “long road to freedom.”  More than anything, for many in the black community, the goal was to galvanize and redistribute school resources to ensure a quality education in every district, for every child, from every neighborhood, of any race, ethnicity, and class.  Brown insisted that America acknowledge and make reparations for the existing inequities that left one People a step behind in education, and therefore earnings, and therefore health, wealth, and so forth. 

I am hopeful, yet I question how the goal of providing high-quality educational opportunities can be successfully achieved and sustained for children of all race/ethnicity and income groups without addressing housing policies that shape residential segregation patterns along these lines.  Segregation too often leaves poor and minority schools with lower-quality facilities, larger class sizes, and less effective teachers, which leads to poor academic outcomes and diminished later-life success.  Moreover, unjust systems of inequality can shackle children to the poverty cycle and keep them from discovering their true potential.  For example, school finance systems that rely primarily on the local property tax base generate significant differences in per-pupil spending, which is intensified by wealthy parents’ capacity to enhance and enrich existing resources (Jackson and Johnson, 2014).  School desegregation and school finance reform have in common the goal of promoting equal access to educational opportunity.  One strategy focuses on redistributing school children, the other on redistributing money, targeted toward poor and minority children.  Pursuing strategies to promote integration and championing ones that ensure equal educational opportunity should not be conceived as an “either/or” proposition, but a “both-and” one. 

Even if America had ever achieved separate and equal, that equilibrium could not be maintained in perpetuity.  As long as one people has lesser, and fewer, resources and opportunities than another, the socio-economic imbalance will again emerge.   Less fortunate communities would again be found contending with single-parenthood, high crime rates, non-college educated parents, a low property-tax base, and more while trying to simply gain an education.  Brown was to position these underserved communities so they could eventually have an educated mass that could not only advocate for their children with confidence, but they could advocate for the very principles from which all children could benefit.

As we look for solutions to address the achievement gap, I am reminded of the story of the person searching for their lost key under a lamppost. It’s not that the key was lost under the lamppost that drives their search—but rather that under the lamppost shines the light. Perhaps we are looking in the wrong places; or perhaps we have incorrectly assumed that there is only one place to look.  The search for a single key is misguided; for in reality, there are multiple keys that collectively open the doors of success and close the doors to opportunity gaps.  Whether we choose desegregation, school finance reform, or charter schools, all offer an answer, but none is the single and complete answer to address inequality.

The black-white achievement gap narrowed substantially in the 1970s and 80s and has been stagnant since then.  We can learn from our previous success.  Desegregation and improved access to quality (reductions in class size, increases in school spending) were key contributors to closing the gaps back then.  For blacks a generation ago, school desegregation significantly increased both educational and occupational attainments, college quality and adult earnings, reduced the probability of incarceration, and improved adult health status; desegregation had no effects on whites across each of these outcomes.  The mechanisms through which school desegregation led to beneficial adult attainment outcomes for blacks include improvement in access to school resources reflected in reductions in class size and increases in per-pupil spending (Johnson, 2013). Also at that time, the federal government began to invest in early childhood education.  Case in point: those very investments set me, and people like me, on a path to experience and achieve things beyond what my parents attained.  These approaches work and will work again, if we invest in them. 

Unfortunately, some of the gains of the ‘70s and ‘80s eroded as both whites & middle-class blacks left the cities, and urban school systems became in some ways as socioeconomically and racially segregated as they were at the time of the Brown decision.  The combination of racial segregation and concentrated poverty can be toxic without addressing school and non-school educational needs of our most disadvantaged children.  Such toxicity is further exacerbated in the heat of any economic crisis when we seem more drawn to the loss of financial capital than the need for human and health capital investments.  We ought not leave such jaded footprints on children’s early-life experiences. 

Today, segregation may not be as conspicuous as 30-40 years ago.  Contemporary segregation takes on more nuanced forms, but the consequences are no less pernicious.  We have desegregated schools, yet segregated classrooms.  The quality of curricular content between districts differs substantially (e.g., access to early education programs, gifted and talented programs, AP offerings, tracking beginning at young ages).  There are larger between-district differences than within-district, and inter-district metro-wide desegregation plans have been ruled unconstitutional, limiting that policy lever’s efficacy.  A new legal environment, beginning in the early 1990s, diminished desegregation standards and resulted in the release of hundreds of districts from their court-mandated desegregation orders, which led to a re-segregation of schools.  Since then, more than one-half of school districts that were ever under court order have now been released. 

Furthermore, contemporary segregation and effects on racial inequality have taken an even more negative turn with regard to criminal justice policy, and the early antecedents of them are witnessed in elevated minority school suspension rates.  Profound changes in sentencing policy since the 1980s were fueled, in part, by the politics of fear—perceptions of neighborhood safety were colored by race. To underscore how much this has changed things, we would have to release 4 out of 5 people from behind bars in order to return to the rates of incarceration of the 1970s (Alexander, 2011; Raphael & Stoll, 2013).  In today’s schools, these fears are evident in the assumptions and judgments that teachers make about black boys, in particular, and underscore that ultimately without parent advocacy and agency, institutions will foster and sustain disparate outcomes.  Regardless of our dogged intentions, true integration has escaped our grasp, and American apartheid haunts us over and again.  The more we slam the hammer of justice on the head of segregation, the more it evades us and rears its nefarious head in a different place and a different guise. 

These negative outcomes are recorded in history, but there are some promising models of successful modern-day interventions that provide a blueprint for us to follow.  The Harlem Children’s Zone is noteworthy for its comprehensive, full-scale initiatives that seek to improve children’s educational opportunities with wrap-around services from birth to college and beyond, by providing family support and programs in pre-school academics, media and technology, fitness and nutrition, as well as college and career preparation.  Another meritorious enterprise is the mixed-housing income intervention of Montgomery County, Maryland, which demonstrates that achievement among poor black children increases with integration, attendance in middle-class schools, and increased compensatory education funding for disadvantaged children (Schwartz, 2010).  These policies have promise to break the vicious cycle of poor school performance leading to poverty, and poverty leading to poor school performance, and constitute reform models for other cities to follow. 

Consider that, within the next 10 years, the majority of children in our country will be minorities. The era of integration that existed during the Civil Rights Movement is not the same as the world we now inherit: the black-white dichotomy is an old paradigm.  We have shifted from communities that are black and white to ones that are multi-ethnic in a globally competitive, 21st-century knowledge economy.  The global community requires multi-cultural competencies.  No matter where our children live and work in the future, their neighborhood will be part of a multi-cultural and global community; our failure will be in not adequately preparing them for that new reality. 

Our diversity as a country has always been a jewel, but far too often not treasured as such.  Strategies to further the goals of racial/ethnic and economic integration in schools have faded from mainstream policy agendas.  While we have better data and better research on what works, we do not expend sufficient effort collecting data to track the extent of school segregation by race and economic status, which in my view reflects diminished policy priority.  In the past, we counted the percent of students who were black vs white. If we got the percent balanced, we thought we were done—we did what the court said. We now need to collect data and conduct research that offers a different and clearer picture of where we see evidence of success, where disparate outcomes persist, how the combination of factors matter (education, early childhood, health, jobs, wages, family support structures), and which levers to push.  We cannot afford to ignore, or merely put a bandage on, the low achievement of minority children in racially isolated inner cities.  Apathy is often the enemy of progressive action that confronts inequity and injustice. 

How can we best marshal our collective voice and actions to confront these challenges?  We must renew our commitment to challenge discrimination and segregation in whatever form it takes, engage our passions in serving youth, fulfill our purpose in life, and learn from others who have fulfilled theirs.  King and Mandela are our best models of the duality of being both an agitator and a healer for justice.  In following their example, we must take courage to initiate the uncomfortable conversations about race and inequality.  We must fear the cost of inaction more than the cost of action.

Alexander, Michelle. 2010. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. New York: New Press.

Jackson, Kirabo and Rucker C. Johnson.  2014.  “Long-term Impacts of School Finance Reform.”  UC-Berkeley working paper. http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~ruckerj/abstract_LRschoolfinancereform.pdf Johnson, Rucker C. 2011. “Long-Run Impacts of School Desegregation and School Quality on Adult Attainments.” National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper #W16664.  Updated 2013. http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~ruckerj/johnson_schooldesegregation_NBERw16664.pdf Raphael, Steven & Michael Stoll.  2013.  Why Are So Many Americans in Prison?  New York: Russell Sage Foundation Press. Schwartz, Heather. 2010. “Housing Policy Is School Policy: Economically Integrative Housing Promotes Academic Success in Montgomery County, Maryland.” Century Foundation. http://tcf.org/publications/pdfs/housing-policy-is-school-policy-pdf/Schwartz.pdf A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings & Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr., James Melvin Washington, ed. 1986.  San Francisco: Harper Collins Press.

Rucker C. Johnson is an Associate Professor of Public Policy at UC-Berkeley. His work considers the role of poverty and inequality in affecting life chances.

More in Discussion 1: Why Integration?

The Problem of Integration

by Mary Pattillo

Focus on the Costs of Segregation for All

by Sherrilyn Ifill

Making Our Assumptions About Integration Explicit

by Pat Sharkey

In Search of Integration: Beyond Black & White

by Rucker C. Johnson

All content © 2005 – 2024 Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy | Top of page | Contact Us

Essay on National Integration

Students are often asked to write an essay on National Integration in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on National Integration

Understanding national integration.

National integration is the feeling of unity and togetherness among the citizens of a country. It promotes peace and harmony, making the nation stronger.

Importance of National Integration

National integration is crucial for the development and prosperity of a country. It fosters a sense of belonging, reduces conflicts, and encourages cooperation.

Ways to Promote National Integration

Promoting national integration can be achieved through education, cultural exchanges, and celebrating diversity. It is everyone’s responsibility to contribute to national integration.

In conclusion, national integration is the backbone of a country’s progress. It brings unity in diversity and strengthens the nation.

250 Words Essay on National Integration

Introduction, significance of national integration.

National integration is the backbone of a nation’s integrity. It fosters a sense of belonging and solidarity, which is vital for maintaining peace and harmony. It also aids in the development of a national identity, which is critical for fostering a sense of national pride and patriotism.

Threats to National Integration

Despite its importance, national integration is often threatened by divisive forces such as regionalism, communalism, and linguistics. These factors can potentially undermine the unity of a nation, leading to conflicts and tensions.

Strategies for Promoting National Integration

Promoting national integration requires a multi-pronged approach. Education plays a pivotal role in fostering a sense of unity and common identity. It can help to dispel stereotypes and prejudices, promoting understanding and tolerance. Government policies should also aim to ensure equal opportunities for all, irrespective of their background, to reduce social inequalities.

National integration is not just about unity in diversity, but also about celebrating this diversity. It is about understanding, accepting, and respecting our differences, while also recognizing and celebrating what unites us as a nation. Therefore, every citizen has a role to play in promoting national integration, for the betterment of the nation as a whole.

500 Words Essay on National Integration

National Integration refers to the sense of unity and oneness among the citizens of a country. It involves developing a shared sense of identity and common goals among the diverse elements of a nation. It is a crucial element for a country’s stability and growth, fostering a harmonious environment and promoting a sense of solidarity among its citizens.

The Importance of National Integration

National Integration encourages people to transcend their differences and work towards common goals. It fosters mutual understanding, peace, and cooperation, which are vital for a country’s progress. It also plays a significant role in promoting social harmony and justice, which are the bedrock of a democratic society.

Factors Promoting National Integration

Several factors contribute to National Integration. Education is one of the most potent tools for fostering national integration. It promotes a sense of unity in diversity and fosters a spirit of tolerance and understanding among people.

The media too, plays a significant role in promoting national integration. It can help foster a sense of unity among people by highlighting the common goals and aspirations of the nation.

Challenges to National Integration

Despite its importance, National Integration is often challenged by various factors. Communalism, regionalism, and linguism are some of the significant threats to national integration. These divisive forces can lead to conflict and disharmony among communities, undermining the unity of the nation.

National Integration is a vital element for the progress and stability of a nation. It fosters a sense of unity and common identity among the diverse elements of a nation, promoting social harmony and cooperation.

While there are challenges to national integration, they can be overcome through concerted efforts. Education, cultural exchanges, and a responsible media can play a significant role in promoting national integration.

In the end, the responsibility for national integration lies with every citizen. It is up to us to transcend our differences and work towards the common goal of a united, prosperous nation.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Skip to main content
• Skip to secondary menu
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

A Plus Topper

Improve your Grades

Essay on Importance of National Integration | Importance of National Integration Essay for Students and Children

February 14, 2024 by Prasanna

Essay on Importance of National Integration: National integration plays a vital role in India for enhancing the nation’s overall development and makes India a stronger Country from various perspectives. For making the citizens aware of the need and essence of the agenda, National Integration is celebrated as a national event nationwide on 19th November, every year. The day is also the birth anniversary of India’s first Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, and National Integration day is celebrated in her honour. Furthermore, from 19th November to 25th November, Indians also celebrate National Integration Week, also known as Quami Ekta Week.

Integration means combining various parts for making them one, and national integration ensures that all the people from multiple cultures, religions, and communities stay together as one. This article contains an essay on the importance of National Integration for spreading awareness about it among various students and ensuring that they understand this matter’s essence. Essay on Importance of National Integration contains multiple facts and benefits and perfect point to promote the same among the future generation.

You can also find more  Essay Writing  articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.

Long and Short Essays on Importance of National Integration for Students and Kids in English

We provide children and students with essay samples on a long essay of 500 words and a short essay of 150 words on the topic “Importance of National Integration” for reference.

Short Essay on Importance of National Integration 150 Words in English

Short Essay on Importance of National Integration is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

India is a diverse nation with residents from various religions, cultures, traditions, and communities. Indian citizens have different backgrounds and follow other practices. Still, even after the presence of people from diverse categories, the nation brings all of them together as one and ensures harmony and peace among them. All the Indian citizens consider it a motherland and stand high when it comes to protecting the land and nation, which is evident in India’s immense national integration.

Still, there are some segments of people who hinder the national integration of the country. In recent years, it has been witnessed that national integration is becoming poorer. For maintaining higher national integration, several measures have been taken after Independence by the Government of Dr Jawaharlal Nehru for implementing the practical ideas and plans. Back then, with the formation of the Indian constitution, a set up was laid for National Integration Council in 1961.

Indian population consists of various people who stay together but still have some contradicting thoughts, opinions, and practices. In such instances, national integration is uncommon, and disunity rises, becoming harsher evils for the society as these issues can destroy the peace and overall growth of the society and tarnish the image of the nation. People from segments might also suffer from some humiliations and lack of integrity in such situations. National disintegration might become a significant cause for the national crises, and partition like it did back when India divided into Pakistan and India. Thus, to avoid any similar incident, we must work together as one unit to ensure national integrity.

There are many instances in the India where we can spot national disintegration, and disunity resulted in the demise of special powers like the Mughal attack in India due to friction between Rajputs and then British invasion due to rising conflicts between various sectors of Indian society. These attacks left the nation’s adverse effects and destroyed the country’s entire economy, the results of which are still witnessed.

Presently, India is an independent nation, and thus it is essential to ensure higher unity among the citizens. There is a need for culminating in the citizens’ minds that all of us belong to one nation and must never disintegrate due to any issue. We must always stay together as a single unit and move forward as a stronger independent nation. In modern India, political integration exists in society. But, there is still room for improvement in emotional integration. And India also needs to achieve the emotional unity and preserve the national integration for better progress sand development of the nation.

Long Essay on Importance of National Integration 500 Words in English

Long Essay on Importance of National Integration is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

India is a diverse nation with people having different religions, languages, castes, and races. India also exhibits unity and national integration in several instances. This also came out under the influence of familiar territory, history, and a continuous fight for the freedom from British rule. For many years, the British followed the Divide and Rule policy in India to hold their power in the nation and get more ability with the passing time. Soon, they gained authority for making and implementing various rules according to their need and destroyed the nation’s overall economic Independence.

After much time, the Indians understood the need for unity and national integration and stood high and strong to throw the British rule and become independent. When it came to the Independence struggle, people from various religions, castes, demographics, cultures, and communities came together as a single unit. But soon, the disintegration again emerged, thus dividing the country into India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh; the adverse effects of which are still seen in all the three formed nations.

India has people from various religious communities like Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, and Parses. In such a nation with vast diversity, national integration can only be achieved when all the communities live peacefully appreciating their communities, love people of various communities, respect all the cultures, beliefs, practices, and traditions existing in the Indian society. The people from all the communities need to observe their fairs and festivals peacefully while respecting others. All the people from various communities must also stand for each other whenever required. Furthermore, none of the communities must do anything that is banned and illegal or disrespect diverse communities’ beliefs.

People in India follow different religions and speak different languages. India has around 22 recognized regional languages, including Hindi, English, Urdu, Oriya, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, etc. It is also essential to have equality among all the religions and communities, and the same facilities for all the citizens, irrespective of their backgrounds. In the modern period, national integration is an immediate requirement for ensuring equality among all the citizens, higher growth and development of the citizens, and eventually, the nation. Holing to assure National Integration and look to check that all the citizens living in the country have higher co-operation for the fulfilment of various programs, Indian Government found the Council of National Integration under Jawaharlal Nehru’s guidance.

National Integration is the notion of combining all the nation’s groups to make them stand as a single unit. It is a sentiment that binds the people of the country, belongs to various communities, together into a single unit, and has them share the nation’s bond without discriminating based on any factor. Ensuring National Integration means identifying oneself as the country’s people, and not of the diverse communities available in the country. India is a big nation, and the second-most populous in the World. Here there are people from various communities and sectors. India stands as a rich heritage of diverse cultures and traditions, but it is considered 100% nationally integrated and still not acceptable for it. Higher national integration is achievable for India by spreading awareness among the youth as they are the nation’s future generation and responsible for its overall growth and development.

National Integration is the feeling of oneness and unity among the citizens of a nation. This is a sentiment and recognition of being a single unit despite all the differences in beliefs, backgrounds, and practices. It is essential to maintain the peace and prosperity of a nation. India is a country with people living and believing in harmony for better growth and development. Even though its national integration tarnishes in some instances, some measures are taken to make it more effective and ensure it. Promotion and invoking of this sentiment are essential to maintain the status and development of the nation. For a country, national integration plays a key role and is the most critical agenda for maintaining peace among all the citizens. It brings all the people closer, despite their different backgrounds and beliefs and promotes peace and harmony. Ensuring national integration is a greater necessity for the nation’s Government for assuring a safer and secure environment for its citizens.

Many nations worldwide have been unable to be the prominent ones existing on earth, which is due to the inefficiency for better development caused by lack of national integration. In such a nation, people always look for ways to pull each other down and never understand that they are barring and hindering their development that comes from the nation’s development. People here keep on fighting for their agendas and petty issues and do not look at the bigger picture and their entire country as a whole.

Many of the people in nations with lower national integration instigate the other people around them and form groups to promote hatred among people for other existing communities and groups of which they are not the part. This eventually threatens the national integration, peace, and harmony of the country. This is a significant issue that the Government of the concerned nations must focus on and let the people understand the need to let go of the feeling of hatred and disrespect for the other communities.

In India, since 2013, 19th November is being celebrated as national integration day. The day is also the birth anniversary of first woman Prime Minister of the country, Indira Gandhi. Furthermore, the entire week from 19th November to 25th November is celebrated as national integration week and is dedicated to the essential agenda. This week is also known as Quami Ekta week. The Government of India introduced national integration day and week as an attempt to promote the brotherhood and oneness among the citizens. All across India, national integration day and week are celebrated by hosting various events, camps, youth festivals, and other celebrations. All these are done to promote national integration and encourage peace and unity among the citizens. Additionally, many cultural activities and seminars are organized to bring people from various communities and backgrounds closer to each other and eradicate all the differences and inequalities.

Even though it is a popular notion that India is a diverse nation with unity among the citizens of different backgrounds, but this is not entirely true. Even after all the attempts of the Indian Government for the assurance of national integration, there are still some sectors where it is lagging. There have been various evident religious and communal riots across the nation for multiple issues and many innocent lives have suffered due to the same. Caste issues between Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras of Hindu community also give rise to lowered national integration. This is because upper castes look down to lower caste and differentiate between themselves. Furthermore, India also faces national disintegration due to rising disputes between different religions and languages and economic inequality and differences.

In diverse nations like India, national integration is essential, and its need is also strongly felt. It can be ensured by eradicating the feeling of superiority and authority among the people of certain groups, communities, and religions, and promoting the sense of oneness and equality among all the citizens.

Importance of National Integration Essay Conclusion

National integration is an influential agenda and plays a vital role in the development of a nation. There is a more substantial need for the same, and the Government also make several attempts to promote the sense of equality and national integration among all the citizens. The article contains essays on the importance of national integration for the students and children of different age groups. This is also meant for spreading awareness about the issue and ensuring unity among the nation’s citizens.

• Picture Dictionary
• English Speech
• English Slogans
• English Letter Writing
• English Essay Writing
• English Textbook Answers
• Types of Certificates
• ICSE Solutions
• Selina ICSE Solutions
• ML Aggarwal Solutions
• HSSLive Plus One
• HSSLive Plus Two
• Kerala SSLC
• Distance Education

National Integration

What is National Integration

Integration does not mean that there are no differences on any issue. Despite the differences, all accept what is in the larger interest of the nation. This national integration makes all citizens imbued with patriotism. They first consider themselves citizens of India, and next Hindus, Muslim or others. Notwithstanding differences in opinions and beliefs, all the people of a nation are full of mutual love, integration and brotherhood. National integration, thus, is a sentiment which reflects solidarity or patriotism among the people belonging to a nation. It fosters a common identity amongst the citizens of a country making them feel that they are all one.

National integration makes the nation strong and organized. It holds the people of various religions, sects, races, dress, civilization and culture together. Despite several differences, all the people remain in mutual harmony with each other.

India is a shining example of national integration. Very few countries have the kind of diversity that we have in our country. Here people of various castes and communities, whose lifestyle, cultures, languages and customs are completely different, live together. All are bound by the thread of national integration.

National Integration Vs Disintegration

Integration ensures that there is long term peace in a country. It is the quintessential power of an organization or society. Without organization, the welfare of society is not possible, and without integration, the society cannot establish an ideal. While integration is the unifying power for a society or country; the disintegration is a destructive power.

Disintegration breaks society whereas integration connects people on emotional plane. While integration takes society and the country to the peak of society; mutual disharmony leads to the destruction of society. A thread, if pieced together, can bind even a stubborn and powerful animal. But if the strands of a thread remain separate, they are unable to bind even a straw. In other words, we can say 5 organized people are better than 500 disorganized persons.

It is always good to be a part of an organization, irrespective of the domain. Organization is a symbol of progress. Similarly, the house where integration prevails is always full of peace and happiness. Even if a person is poor, but if all are together in his family or organization, he can never be unhappy, but where there is disintegration, i.e., no integration, that home suffers, no matter how much money, wealth it has accumulated.

India: Deep-rooted Integration

Our country is a land of different cultures and has a distinct identity all over the world. Despite linguistic, cultural, and regional diversity, Indians have managed to keep the national integration and integrity intact.

India is a confluence of different cultures, religions and communities. It grants equal status to all religions and sects. Despite diversity, there is integration in them. This is the reason why a sense of integration is reflected in them since centuries. We have always had a liberal approach. We respect truth and non-violence.

India’s multi-coloured and multi-layered ethos is rooted in its ethnic, cultural and religious diversity. No other country in the world offers such an awesome, creative burst of cultures and religions, races and tongues. India is the second largest country in Asia and the seventh largest and second most populous country on Earth.

A thriving civilization since 2500 BC, India represents an amazing confluence of different creeds, religions, faiths and belief systems. All the major religions of the world – Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity including their sects – are found and practised in India with full freedom. India adheres to and cherishes the ideal of Sarva Dharma Samabhava (equal respect for all belief systems) founded in the ancient past. This has allowed not just tolerance towards religions and beliefs, but the freedom to propound one’s ideas and philosophies.

Hinduism per se is not a homogeneous religion and consists of a multiplicity of creeds and faiths, which are further divided among many castes, sects and sub-sects.

The pluralistic society has; therefore, allowed different faiths and religion get enriched with the unique experience that India offers. It has not only resulted in the creation of great centres of learning about different faiths and religions, but also legends, holy men, holy shrines and pilgrimages. They are not just confined to a region or state but are spread across the country, offering India the unique distinction of being the pilgrimage for the followers of almost all major religions of the world.

Significance of National Integration

Nations are built on the strength of integration. Without integration in each section of its population, the country cannot make any progress. There is great power in integration. Even a stronger enemy can be defeated on the strength of integration.

The divided people and fragmented society break apart. There is no advancement, but only decay and degeneration in disintegration. The society which is organized, tied in integration, can never be defeated because integration is the greatest strength but where there is break-up that society will be subject to destruction by anyone’s onslaught. A small organized society is better than a very large disintegrated society. If we want to create an ideal society, we need to march ahead on the path of integration.

Integration begins at home

Prior to the discussion on national integration, there is need for the integration in family. Until there is integration at home, it is not possible to have integration in the society, the nation, and the world. Only integration can make the society develop. Integration is born out of the sense of organization in a society that leads to lasting peace and joy.

As long as the integration in homes or society is strong, the nation too remains strong. External powers in these circumstances, cannot impact the integrity and sovereignty. But whenever the national integration is fractured, the nation has to deal with a crisis. If we turn the pages of our own history, we see that whenever our national integration has got weakened, each time external forces have taken advantage of it and we had to live under them.

Need of National Integration in India

National integration is essential for any nation. In a heterogeneous country like India, it acts as a cementing factor. Over the years, Pakistan has been trying to weaken national integration by creating Hindu-Muslim differences and inciting anti-India feeling and insurgency in Kashmir. By these divisive politics, the British ruled India for hundreds of years. But when the people of India displayed “Indianness” by forgetting all their differences, the British had to go back from India.

National unity and integration is absolutely necessary for the stability of democracy, defence of freedom and all-round development of the nation. Until the whole nation is bound in a spirit of unity, there would not be any development or economic progress in the country. Therefore, it is the duty of every citizen to promote nationalism to reinforce national integration. We require a strong nation to protect national integration. So, we should suppress disruptive elements by staying away from petty thinking centering on caste, regionalism, religion, etc.

Challenges to National Integration in India

In the ancient times, Indian culture used to easily assimilate other cultures, but now this trait has diminished to a great extent. As a result, residents of a state are sometimes not able to show tolerance for the customs, traditions and languages of the people of other states. Along with narrowness of culture, there has been so many rises in disruptive forces that national unity has become a complex problem in the country.

To solve this problem, we need to remove all the obstacles in the way of national unity and integration. Following are the challenges to national integration in India –

• Casteism – Casteism is a major obstacle in the path of national integration. Great differences are found in inhabitants belonging to different religions and castes in India. Followers of one caste or religion consider themselves superior to those believing in other religions or castes. These tendencies sometimes turn so ugly and narrow that one is unable to adopt a broader view of national interest.
• Communalism – It is a great obstacle in the way of national unity. In our country, there are followers of various religions: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, etc.  Though, generally all the citizens live in a spirit of harmony with one another, many times vested interests create feelings of mutual enmity and hatred, leading to communal clashes. We need to curb communal tendencies to keep national integration intact.
• Provincialism – Provincialism is also a major obstacle in the path of India’s national unity.| On the one hand, there is an increasing tendencies for creation of new states on the basis of language, on the other hand, each state wants to have a controlling stake at the Centre. The narrow sense of provincialism in different states of the country is increasing mutual animosity between states.
• Political parties – In democracy, it is necessary to have political parties for the creation of public opinion and political consciousness. That’s why after independence, various parties were created in our country. Unfortunately, there are many parties which seek votes on the basis of caste, religion, creed and region ignoring public and national interest. In a way, they are engaged in the work of national disintegration.
• Linguistic differences – In a vast country like India, there is need for a national language which is spoken and understood in all regions. But due to narrow regional considerations, Hindi or any other language is yet to be embraced as means of communication by all peoples of the country. The politics over linguistic identity is also not allowing people to rise above their partisan differences over language.
• Economic disparity – Great social as well as economic diversity is found in our country. Only a handful of people in the country are rich while the majority are poor. To earn livelihood remains a great problem for the poor, in solving which they are so busy all the time that they cannot think about the national integration. In the view of this, the economic disparity is a great obstacle in the way of national unity and integration.

Conclusion :

For a developing country like India, which for years has been a victim of slavery, it is a must to strengthen national integration to avoid threats such as communalism, casteism, and regionalism. These separatist tendencies undermine national integration, leading to bloodshed, carnage and riots, etc.

In addition to external elements, external forces too become deterrent to the national integration. The countries who jealous of the freedom and progress the country, always strive to divide and dismember the country. The insurgency in Kashmir has been sponsored and supported by such outside forces. The prolonged turmoil in Kashmir and the north-east India has led to separation of these region’s misguided youths from the national mainstream.

When the number of these disruptive elements tends to be higher, they strive for complete separation. India is a land of vast geographical diversity of the country where several religions, castes, tribes and sects live. These differences which are the pride of our culture, when distorted by vested interests, become an impediment to national unity and integration.

To maintain national integration, it is necessary to pay particular attention to elements of national integration: Indian Constitution, national symbols, national festivals, national anthem and social equity. We need to remember the tales of those great patriots laid down their lives to maintain the national freedom and sovereignty. Following the path and ideals of great patriots promotes national integration.

Related Information:

National Integration Essay

National Integration Day

National Integration Week

Youth and National Integration in India

Related posts, national integration in india: need and challenges.