Rise in Antibiotic resistance is comparable to threat of Global Warming.

The Day, Fleming was successful in discovering world's first antibiotic 'Penicillin' through his experiments on fungus, a new chapter was written in the history of mankind. A technique was invented that how a biotic element can be used to resist another biotic element. World of allopathy gradually come to have many therapeutic treatments like anti-bacterial, anti-viral or anti fungal.

The efficacy of antibiotic was such that it became so popular world over that many other local and alternative medicine system got overshadowed. Systems like Homeopathic, Chinese, Ayurveda, Unani (Persian and Indian), Tibetian could not keep pace with advancements in allopathy and anti-biotic research. Antibiotics were preferred for two reasons as they were able to heal the disease quickly and developed on sound scientific principles.

However, this very popularity and efficacy became a limiting factor to ever growing domain of antibiotics. Widespread use, multiple usage of drugs without proper diagnosis of disease, variability or mutation of stain of pathogens, competitive market for health professionals to provide quick relief were among some of the factors that led to development of resistance to antibiotics.

World health organisation in one of its report suggested that if international community did not take proactive measures. This may lead world back to pre-penicillin days. There will be lack of treatment to diseases. Mortality which went down due to such human intervention will further rise and thus, putting the threat of survival to mankind.

It is in this respect that rise in antibiotic resistance is comparable to global warming which also puts the same civilization level threat in the absence of enough safeguards or preventive actions.

Case Study - Resistance to TB

TB has been one of the deadly bacterial disease which became curable only after the discoveries of antibiotics. Scientists discovered anti-TB medicines. 

TB treatment requires regular & constant drug administration and negligence in taking even one or two drugs can lead to mutation of TB strain as it gradually develops the resistance against the drug.

Many TB patients initially and even doctors to some extent were not equally attentive through out the entire course. This led to development of resistance to Anti-TB drugs.

It has presently reached the extent when even the last line treatment has failed in curing the disease which is now referred to as MDR - TB or Multi Drug Resistant TB

Resistance to other Drugs

This is not only with TB. But Malaria which is caused due to falciparum is now without any antibiotic to treat it. Similarly, AIDS-HIV drug which was earlier able to prolong the life of patient, is now losing efficacy. Also, anti-cancer drugs face similar problems as that of AIDS-HIV.

This situation is alarming and no where less panicking than global warming. According to renowned journal Lancet, diseases like Malaria and TB are the main reasons behind such high mortality in tropical countries. It adds that soon malaria of all types and TB may again be incurable.

It is interesting coincidence that both global warming and antibiotic resistance will affect tropical areas & their inhabitants significantly. Humid conditions of tropical countries in Africa, South Asia and South East Asia are reason for diseases like AIDS, Dengue, Malaria and Ebola Virus. Moreover, poverty in these countries will further add to the problem as increasing cost of health care will make it inaccessible to them.

Reasons for growing antibiotic resistance

Though, Antibiotic resistance is world wide phenomenon but it is more pronounced in tropical countries. Let us analyse this with Indian conditions.

1. Neem-Haqeem or Quacks (non registered medical practitioners) are believed to be one of the significant reason as they due to their limited knowledge prescribe many antibiotic to treat the same disease which lead to mutation of strain. Recently, a newspaper report put forth the case of Norflox & Metrogyl drugs used to treat diarrhea very effectively but it is no longer the case. Doctors and quacks have moved on to high end 'Zole' ingredient tablets for the treatment of diarrhea.

2. Even MCI certified professionals due to competitive market are in race to provide quick results to patients. They end up prescribing too many antibiotics even for minor disease.

3. Developing countries like India do not have good infrastructure in R&D of new drugs but they focus more on generic markets. This prohibits the availability of better drugs in market. Doctors continue with same old drugs and this, then threatens a situation without drugs to treat disease.

4. Patients in these countries  are self made doctors. They visit doctors  or health care professionals only as last resort.

5. Practitioners of alternative systems like Homeopathic, Unani, Tibba resort to allopathic treatments to remain competitive in market.

Developed countries also feel threatened due to international migration of people and thus carrying the mutated strain in their countries.

Way Forward

UN report 'Future We Want' which was the outcome of Rio 20+ summit has focused on health & development of human resource. Another Report on "UN Global Sustainable development" presented on the eve of Rio 20+ summit in 2012 has also emphasized that sustainable development  is not only in terms of low carbon & efficient economies but also includes health as prime factor in sustainable development.

International community leaders have to come together at multilateral forums like WHO and also civil society organisations like Red Cross Society and Doctors without borders need to join them in this fight  which otherwise can perish the mankind itself. Man survived in the pre-antibiotic world period as materialistic advancements in the society were not at the level as today. But situation differs today as pollution, worsening air quality and international mobility has changed in the world and it became impossible today to imagine it without antibiotics or better treatment.

Man's spirit can not be defeated. Therefore, it is time that leaders, scientists take the lead in conducting researches to discover other alternatives and also improve current antibiotic mechanisms and healthcare infrastructure. 

Bio technology and Gene Therapy are yet to unravel their potentialities to the world. Nano Tech can further help in fighting several diseases. Constant improvements in antibiotic drugs and new avenues can go long way in fighting this apocalyptic situation.

Interrelationship between gender equality and sustainable development

Both terms Gender equality and sustainable development are buzzwords in current times, seen frequently in newspapers, blogs and research papers world over. They are not merely words but objectives that world leaders aim at achieving. From Ivy leagues to universities in eastern hemisphere, studies are being conducted to understand how these objectives could be achieved and what is the interrelationship between the two. There are no universal definition of both the concepts, but a basic common understanding of both the terms across intellectual circles lead to some inferences.

Gender equality refers to absence of any kind of discrimination against any gender, man, women or transgender. No special privileges are conferred on any gender in the society. All genders have equal entitlements and receive fair and dignified treatment from each other. Eg. - MNC's in modern days claim to be equal opportunity employer i.e. no discrimination between male, female or transgender during recruitment process. 

Similarly, 'Sustainable development' refers to growth of society that can be sustained over a long period time, which does not affect nature or environment adversely. In essence, an equilibrium position in which man and nature can co-exist in perfect harmony. Eg. - Replacing coal or fossil fuel power with renewable sources like wind, solar etc et al.

Interrelationship between gender equality and sustainable development is dynamic in nature. In fact, both are directly proportional to each other. This can be appreciated through Scandinavian model. In Indian context, God's own country Kerala will provide greater insights into understanding this relationship.

Scandinavian countries like Norway, Finland, Sweden have taken their society to the level where gender equality is the central theme. Women and men are equally entitled to all natural (mineral wealth)  and material resources (modern physical aspects). Notion like women can not do this or that is alien to these countries. This kind of partnership has resulted into societal development on sustainable basis. This is best manifested in their constant top ranks on human development index, published by UNDP. They believe that if development is not engendered, it is endangered. 

Moreover countries like Ireland, Australia, New Zealand along with these societies have chosen for a development model that is gender neutral. Transgenders have equally been made part of development story. 

In Indian parlance, as Gandhi ji said, it is impossible to develop the society without the development of other half. Kerala has set an example how gender empowerment leads to more economic, psychological and societal contributions. Success of kutumbshree is a testimony to the above argument. If man from Kerala has migrated to middle east to earn money. Their women back home are also earning money through agriculture, plantation, cotton based industries or as salaried professionals in MNC's. This makes Kerala an example of progressive society that have more fruits to be harvested in future. Women in Kerala are not only educated but highly enterprising. This is due to presence of matrilineal structure. since time immemorial and recent thrust on women empowerment on the way to gender equality. 

In both of the above scandinavian or Kerala model, it is gender equality that has led to sustainable development. Sustainable development is a generic term that also expresses the meaning like any long term autonomous development of society. For an instance, if women were not entitled to equal opportunity to education in these societies, this would have led to lack of reproduction rights and in turn population explosion. This in turn put great pressure on natural resources like land, water, air or forests. This will also lead to greater level of pollution. Carbon footprint per capita will increase. Nature's replenishment capacity will be outpaced which had already occurred.

Also, if women were not given equal rights to health infrastructure. This will lead to higher maternal mortality rates, female infanticide which will in turn result in decline of female population. Haryana in India is a glaring example of this. Any society with constant decline in female population can not develop on sustainable basis.

Besides Scandinavia and Kerala, mid eastern countries's case will also help in understanding interrelationships between gender equality and sustainable development. Women in middle east have not been given equal rights at par with men. Development of mid eastern societies thus lagged behind. It is only due to oil wealth that these countries rank higher in human development index. These societies are continuously in struggle phase. Gender equality leads to psychological satisfaction among all members of society. This, them may put society on the track of sustainable development. The growth and development of Turkey is a point in case despite belonging to similar culture settings.

It, thus becomes imperative for world leaders to strive towards achieving these goals of gender equality and sustainable development. Beginning has already been made. SDG's, Beijing Platform 1995, ICPD cairo convention 1994 all aim at women empowerment. These are agreements on elimination of discrimination against transgenders. Nepal, recently became the third country in world to have recognized transgenders constitutionally. India has also made a beginning in this respect. Government is bringing a law to recognize transgenders. 

Leaders can take cue from legendary figure like Amrita Devi Bishnoi from Jodhpur, India who sacrificed her life to preserve the nature. There in after, Bishnoi community has followed the path of gender equality and sustainable development. They do not believe in patriarchal, caste or materialistic system. One another example can be Ela bhatt, who channelised the energy of women in to creating a self sustaining institution called SEWA. This is a classic example of gender empowerment leading to sustainable development of an institution.

It is time that this interrelationship is appreciated. All intellectuals, leaders and activists have to come together to build a society whose development is gender neutral and leave a better world to next generations. 

Science is organised knowledge. Wisdom is Organised Life.

Knowledge is a vast precious treasure hidden in nature. It is for science or orderly systematic way of study to unlock that treasure. Science thus helps in creating an organised body of 'Principles of Nature' which is called knowledge. Knowledge in this respect is a broader concept than mere collection of information. Even science is basic theme of nature and man's life, and not just perceived subjects like physics and chemistry.

Similarly, Life is part and parcel of nature. It is wisdom or enlightenment that helps man to set the broad contours of life or in other words understand meaning of life. Wisdom here differs from intellect that can ease the way man lives but can not replace wisdom which is basic idea behind civilized societies. Intellect can be part of wisdom. For an instance, wise man may lead more purposeful and abundant life. Lord Buddha and Mahavira both reached the transcendental stage of human intellect that is wisdom or enlightenment.

Since the Dawn of Civilisation

Science, knowledge, wisdom and life are all inter wined concepts.Their interrelationship can be understood with the help of historical examples. Early man discovered 'wheel' and 'fire' - a knowledge hidden in nature. He even developed stone tools, wooden plough and iron machines. Discoveries and tool making reflected man's scientific nature.

Alongside, Man kept on looking for basic principles to organize life, to have better societies. In fact, man started delving into more important philosophical questions like existence of life itself, purpose of it. To solve these riddles, many philosophers like Plato, Confuscious, Aristotle, Kautilya, Buddha wisely advised and even preached some fundamentals of life. Though, Man continued to look for answers to these questions.

Above examples do not mean that only few can reach the stage of wisdom. All man can reach the stage of wisdom. It is very much up to him to evolve his intellectual capabilities into wisdom hood.

Science - Organised knowledge

Science in a broader construct means orderly, systematic, coherent study. It is value neutral, in other words, free from superstitions, illogical religious beliefs. It is rational study.

Any discipline like history, economics, philosophy, sociology apart from natural sciences can be studied scientifically.

Moreover Science is more than just discipline. It is integral to human life. A man who has not received any formal education can still have a scientific and rational attitude. It is only this that his ideas and thinking should reflect scientific characteristics. Bhakti saints of India like Kabir, Gurunanak, Ramanuja all had this attitude.

Science is an organised knowledge expresses the idea science organizes knowledge. Immanual Kant, a dutch epistemologist, organised the entire body of knowledge into different disciplines. He could do that as he looked for suitability of different scientific principles to different disciplines.

Wisdom - Organised life 

Man can use intellect to innovate, invent and bring in easiness in life. Gadgetry and materialistic culture today reflect the same. Cars, AC's, Mobile phones all made man' life easy. But, wisdom takes man to the next level where he is more concerned with the organised way of living. In the words of Aristotle "Wisdom is Virtue" that helps man live an orderly and purposeful life. Herein lies the significance of well being, happiness, concept of existentialism that man with all his wisdom look for.

Wisdom teaches man to understand to very idea behind life. In buddhist philosophy - Parinirvana and Moksha in hindu philosophy are the ultimate goals of wisdom hood. In fact both philosophies have taught the way of life to reach that stage. "Live and let live" truly reflects the notion of wisdom hood.

Comparison - Science and Knowledge vs. Wisdom and Life

There is an inherent convergence between both ideas. Science and Wisdom are both very fundamental than technology and intellect respectively. In fact both science and wisdom are means to reach the ultimate ends which are knowledge and life. Similarly, Knowledge and life are more broader constructs than they are perceived. A true knowledge is empowering and and inquisitive than just collection of information. This difference can be understood like what exists between brain and mind and also 'Trained man' and an 'educated mind'. Meaning of life can vary to different people but basic theme of life is one that is contend., purposeful, utilitarian existence than mere existence.

Conclusion

In modern times, meaning of fundamentals have become obscured. Man is more concerned with superficial, ostentatious and conspicuous lifestyles. However, there are always few who keep the spirit of  'Science' and wisdom alive. Their goal remain attaining knowledge in all its aspects and leading more purposeful life. However, man continue to strive towards organised knowledge and an organised life. It is for him to reach fundamentals hidden in the nature which is science and wisdom.

Life, Man and Nature

Beauty nestles in the lap of the nature. Life is a beautiful gift man is bestowed with. Man is the only animal that has cranial capacity to think, comprehend and analyse information around him. Many questions about life remain unanswered. We do not know as to why do we exist in first place. If at all, this question is answered. We do not know how come Life is so randomly found only on planet earth in an otherwise structured and planned universe. There are no clues about life elsewhere in universe, this is despite man's relentless space exploration since mid 1950's.

Its highly possible that what we perceive as life may not exist at all. This is a metaphysical inquiry which remain unresolved till date. Different school of thoughts have their own ideas and interpretation. Life at a very superficial level is perceived as any movement of an animate object  as a sign of lifeforms. But, herein lies the most important question what do you perceive as movement may be a movement relative to each other and therefore no movement at all. Let's not delve deep into this speculative field. 

Coming back to the same question what is so rare and unique about life and what makes it a beautiful gift. Even if it is all hypothetical and not real. It is still the best hypothesis man can assume. Nature has filled life with many colors. Colors of music, dance, drama, struggle, failures and achievements are too few to be named. What man should be more concerned with enjoying this beautiful gift called life rather than pondering over mysteries. Nevertheless, Man must also inquire about the existence of life as to what is it or how come man has not yet been able to find out life anywhere else in the universe, but these metaphysical or speculative inquisitiveness should never dominate the very life.

This blurred understanding of universe and life leave man to speculate on many things. For an instance, Man in countries like India is more concerned with next world than this world.  Moksha or Nirvana is one of the central tenets of Buddhism. Similar is the case with other religions or faiths world over.  Therefore, Man following faiths forget to serve the very purpose of his or her own life. Swami Vivekananda has intellectually reflected on this, Service to mankind is service to God. Life teaches us all to help each other and enjoy the greatness of human's magnanimous nature.

Serving or even helping the other man is a beautiful feeling that one can get. Its a natural way of living, a kind of cooperative living. Gandhiji believed in this ideal. Life is thus about giving. Its not just about speculating or following religious tenets in a restrictive way.  One needs to enjoy all its colors. One needs to come out in open and shout loud " Hey I am here to live and enjoy you. One may still take too longer to understand if there is any other lifeforms elsewhere or in nutshell, if there is a world outside planet earth. 

So, lets enjoy the life and nature both. They have lot to give us.

Organisation of 21st Century

A customer dials a company to complain about a problem he is facing in one of its products. The support executive tries to resolve the problem with all his expertise. Despite all the best efforts, the customer feels a little uncomfortable in getting through the entire process. He is satisfied with the resolution but not very delighted with his experience. Why? The answer doesn’t lie in management theory. It is the new paradigm of 21^st century which requires the company to move towards the goal of ‘Customer Oneness’.

The business organisation of the 21^st century first has to become its own customer so that it has a clear understanding of a customer’s perspective. It has increasingly become important that customer these days needs empathy and not sympathy.

21st-century organisation – Facing the web of ambiguities and ever-changing marketplace?

In the present digital world of information overload, the customer finds himself amidst confusions and chaos. Decision-making has become all the more difficult for customers in an ever-changing marketplace. This poses a considerable challenge to organisations. To overcome this, they need continuous innovation, sustainability and clear communication with their customers. And, they need to be considered in an integrated approach. This is where the concept of ‘customer oneness’, mentioned at the beginning of this article, become all the more important.

In such a fast-changing world, if the organisation is able to identify with its customer as one. The clutter around the customer can easily be broken. And, a loyal customer can get the organisation more customers as word of mouth continues to remain the most credible marketing strategy even today.

21st-century organisation – What are the characteristics required?

Innovative ideas, business intelligence, automation, big data, and predictive analytics are the significant themes that the organisations today revolve around. Let’s understand this by one example. Do you remember how would people respond in the 1990s if you tell them that you are going to start a business? Where is the money? Now, if you tell them the same thing, they will ask, what is the idea, what is your revenue model? So, what does this suggest?

In today’s world, organisation needs a healthy, sustainable and innovative idea. And, once the idea is supported by business intelligence and predictive modeling, it becomes self-sustainable model. It is then the capital which helps in this model becoming a brand to reckon with. Does this story not sound familiar? Yes, it is. It is the story of many startups who went on to become fortune 500 companies in almost no time.

Importantly, apart from the operative part of the business, many of these organisations have reached out to people on social media providing them with free video, blogs, and reports about their products and services. It has not only helped them in connecting with the people and earning their trust but also quickly transiting them from the top of the marketing funnel to its bottom, achieving the sale.

21st-century organisation – Why purpose needs to be redefined?

Historically, organisations had focussed on product, pricing, promotion, place to run their businesses. With time, they had also started emphasizing upon customer-centricity. But, is this enough today? The answer will not certainly be affirmative. To become the best business ventures of 21^st century, organisations need to come out of their traditional mindset and think ways in which they can contribute to society.

It is time that business organisations strive to adopt the values of democracy i.e. of the people, by the people and for the people. In the 21^st century world, the bottom line for organisations should be aligning the end goals of the organisation to benefit the people at large.

Robert Kiyosaki, an American businessman, in his book THE BUSINESS OF THE 21ST CENTURY puts it, “-while personal success is fulfilling, it’s much more fulfilling when you can help many others create their own success as well.”

Certain things are beyond profit and loss statement, appropriations can be made to it. But, if the end goals are not aligned with new realities of the 21^st century, even the amendments to organisation at a later stage will not help. Interestingly, serving people in true spirit while running a business helps to create a trustworthy brand.

21st-century organisation – What is expected of leadership?

The organisations take the path their leaders carve for them. So, whether it is the 20^th century or 21^st century, the business leaders continue to be the guiding lights for their organisations.

Tom Peters, a famous business author in an interview by McKinsey Quarterly, says, “21st-century-AD leadership is probably just about the same as 21st-century-BC leadership. And, fundamentally, it is about organising the affairs of our fellow human beings to provide some sort of service to other people.”

This suggests that leaders need to invest their time in creating human capital and imparting the organizational values to them. Some of the best organizations in the world, starting around the beginning of the 21^st century, are known for healthy and fun-filled workplaces. This has remarkably contributed to their increased productivity.

Apart from the people and talent, leaders themselves need to embrace new technology and think creatively to better align their organization’s priorities with constantly changing requirements.

21st-century organisation – Why ethics are all the more important?

The commoditisation of almost everything today is breeding the culture of rampant sales irrespective of any ethics or care about the customer. The difference in the pitch of the sales department and servicing department leave the customer disappointed. It is also important to note that customer today is all the more aware of his rights. In fact, governments world over have empowered them through suitable legislation.

Thus, the business within the boundary of morality is the need of the hour. And, it should not be the fear of legislation which should drive push towards morality. Rather, it should be a voluntary act and organisations need to be honest and transparent towards their customer, eliminating the ‘trust issue’.

Further, Gandhian ethics also strengthen this notion as Mahatma Gandhi mentions business without morality as one of the seven sins.

Therefore, the success of organisations in the 21^st century depends on many factors. They are already facing a very ambiguous customer in all the more complex marketplace. They need characteristics that can match the requirements of 21^st century. The purpose should not only be profit-making but also contributing back to society. Leadership needs to nurture talent and develop a team of people whose increased productivity take the organisation to greater heights. Last but not the least, ethics of the organisations which play all the more important role in times when businesses are about relationships.

An insight into my UPSC preparation

On 22 February 2017, Result of UPSC (mains) 2016 was declared and I was out of the race yet again. It was like a shocker and sent me into tizzy. Tears rolled down my cheeks. I felt zeroed. Everything was dark and I had no idea what was happening and How I am going to take it forward from here. It was a great conundrum which took me for a ride and shook me to the core. I have not imagined my life without it and I felt my dream getting snatched from me. I felt It was so near yet so far. But how I reached this point in my life, is something worth exploring. 

Back in 2011, I got into one of my dream projects of Google Trends. I was a digital marketer and an initiator in the field. 

To be continued.....will publish the complete account soon

Idea of India - Concepts of Nation state and Nationalism

Question as to what an Indian entity consists of, what it includes and what it excludes. Is the idea defined on the basis of Hindutva or pan hinduism south of Himalayas feasible. Or as the liberals would argue that Indian-ism can not be defined through such microscopic lenses. It is the idea that all people who migrated into this land with their identity intact in original form make up this land. No choices of Hinduism can be enforced on them. Furthermore, diversity is to be more emphasized over unity. This same debate has also crippled US intellectual circles in recent times especially after Trump took the charge. USA has been referred to as as melting pot of all cultures just like India as mosaic of different cultures. Conundrum is, what should be the premise on the basis of which a nation state is defined or idea of nationalism is construed.

Let us first explore the concepts of nation-state and nationalism, Nation state is a recent idea originated from Europe (European theater) when colonial powers like Britain, France, Prussia among others started dividing European territories geographically and forming political states. This was done mostly on the basis of some kind of homogeneity of languages, culture or ethnicity. People sharing similar ideas or beliefs came together to form a nation. Feelings of protecting the sovereignty of these nations so formed started brewing and came to be known as nationalism. Thus, Idea of nation state and nationalism became a political and mental construct respectively. Some kind of homogeneity became the essential perquisite of forming a nation. This homogeneity even in otherwise heterogeneous society was not an inhibition to formation of a diverse yet united flourishing nation. For an instance, USA welcomed people from all roots whether Arabic, Catholics, Protestants, Hindus or even Chinese. Yet, there is a common unique thread running across all of them. An element of Americanism makes the US society blend of both homogeneity and heterogeneity.

In case of India, This one common homogeneous value is way of life practiced by people south of Himalayas. Now, some may call it a hinduistic way of life and others Indian way of life. For an example, Muslims of Indian subcontinent are way too different from their counterparts in Arabic countries. They resemble their hindu brothers more closely than their religious brethren in Arabic world. This is also true in case of Christians, Paresis or Jews living in India. This happens as people in Indian subcontinent are used to a common way of life. Wedding Procession forms part of an important rituals across religions which otherwise is not seen world over. Muslims weddings in India is a point in case. Ayurvedic medicine or Yoga transcends the boundary of religions in India. This argument gets bolstered by the fact that a religion like Islam known for egalitarian system has also imbibed the caste system practiced by Hindus. Likewise, many events prove the point that there is a common thread running across all people across the country. Therefore, concept of Rasthra or Matrubhoomi are very ancient to India than recent westernized ideas of nation state or nationalism. People of diverse origin have been enjoying harmonious living together since time immemorial. 

Going back to the original question as to how one should define nation state or nationalism. These are modern concepts which may be applied to many nations on their face value as evolved by Europeans. But in case of India, these can be applied in a modified way. First and foremost, basis of Indian-ism or Indian nation is inextricably linked to a unique way of life practiced by oldest inhabitants which are Hindus. Geographically, India is what south of Himalayas from kirthar and suleman ranges to Poorvanchal ranges west of Irrawady. Nationalism or Rasthriyata is one's love or respect for this Indian-ism. Hindutva as also explained by Veer Savarkar highlights this point when he says India is Hindu Rasthra. He does not suggest that conversion of muslims or other religions as a condition to the formation of a Hindu Rasthra. But, All people while following their religions can still weave this beautifully diverse yet united nation into one Rasthra. One may call this a Hindu Rasthra or only India. It does not make an iota of difference. Indian nationalism is all about imbibing Indian values in one's life and an effort to save this rather than distort it. 

Some Liberals have gone wrong in understanding this concept of Hindutatva or probably have misquoted this idea. Its not about conversion of religion but accepting the fact that India stands intact due to Sanatan Philosophy making the foundation of building and its flexibility to assimilate other ideas or religious beliefs. Problems arises, when some people wants to change this fundamental characterestics. In simple words, Islamic or any other religious values can never replace Sanatan philosophy as foundation of this nation. This in no way suggests that religious values other than Hindus can not be weaved into Sanatan Philosphy. 

Therefore, Cultural Identity in case of india is same as politial identity. This is the major difference between Indian concept of nation state from that of other nations world over. Nationalism in India is not about imposition of choices but about voluntary acceptance of Indian Ideas. Therefore, India is rightly called as Mosaic of cultures.