The topic has a broad spectrum (= many sided view) and hence interesting.
The contrasts, firstly, are natural in such a subcontinental field like India. These can be enumerated (= counted in number) : geographical and climatic; linguistic, social and cultural; of food- habits and dresses, and of human behaviour and values.
These contrasts lend my country a pluralistic (= a harmony of several components) character. To begin with, a sharp imaginary line divides the north and the south; they are sharply opposed to each other. Geographically the north is largely dominated by plains, whereas the southern region’s narrow strip is punctuated with numerous hills, mountain ranges and rivers.
Apart from geographical or climatic contrasts, the two parts are characterised as ethnically opposed, too. The north is called the land of the Aryans, the south of the Dravidians. The north is more liberal and prone to compromise, while the south is more orthodox and habitually rigid in matters of living, diet or dress. In the U.P. and further north the various races and communities are found mixed in interesting human varieties. The Vananchal left comprising ab-originals of the hilly regions is populated by the Santhals, Kols, Bhils. They constitute a stout band of hard-working truth-loving race and almost at odds with the people of the plains.
Bengals soft, mellow climate; her rich, alluvial lands contribute to the tenderness, soft sentiments of her people. It contrasts unfavourably with the harshness and roughcast life of south Bihar and U.P. The contrast is more vigorous as we travel north. The Jats, the Pathans – offsprings of Indo-Muslim culture – invest (= dress) the upper regions of the U.P. with a new glamour.
Contrast is the very essence of our country. But these contrasts are also marked by peculiar affinities (= closeness). The Maithils of parts of North Bihar show a remarkable closeness to the Bengalees: their climates, network of rivers, preference for fish, tantrik faith and their alphabet where, barring a few letters, the one seems to be a duplication of the other. But their natures differ essentially: the Bengalees are more emotional, the Maithils more practical; the former racially always more exploratory or fortune- seeking than the latter. History is witness to her far-flung (= spread far and wide) ventures in the Far-East. If we go south we observe a contrast in the dresses of the Tamils and the Keralites – both among men and women. The former love simplicity and austerity (= pious simplicity), the latter loves display and colour. U.P. and Bihar are contiguous (= existing side by side) states. But the women in Bihar are less gaudy (= colourful) and showy than their counterpart in U.P. May be, it is due to the fact that the latter has been more constantly exposed to the Muslim influence.
It goes without saying that the political factors have largely to contribute towards their variety and contrast. In Bengal the long tenure of the East India Company and the wave of national awakening brought about an influx (= arrival) of western dress and western taste. It largely wore off (= reduced) the pestilence (=the disease) of caste which still plagues her neighbouring states Bihar and U.P. The Marathas, that fought against the Mughal emperors, still maintains its martial character like the Punjab. The latter’s strength of character is still evident from the grit (= determination) with which they are facing the ‘Militant Crisis’.
Lastly, if we consider human behaviour and values, we notice that the north is more liberal, the south a but rigid. The Sanskritic culture of the south does not lend them so easily to other influences. The north, on the contrary, has always remained exposed to outward influences, both barbarian and civilized. Thus they gradually absorbed parts of their culture, language and habits. The North-Eastern region remains still plumbed in darkness comparatively. Linguistically they are more self-conscious and resistent than Bengal. Her rugged natural features and the constant danger to peace have made them racially more quite, self conscious and alert. They are least emotional and are sceptical of hollow assurances.
The above renders a kaleidoscopic (= colourful like that in a colourful looking glass) picture of the contrasts in my country.
