Diversity is the spice of life. Status quo and sameness are anathema to the supreme and grand principles cherished and accepted by the great intellectuals. Opening one’s eyes and observing everything with its variety and variability are the crystal clear signs and clarion calls to abhor the concept of “One size fits all”. From the minute subatomic particles, whether in the form of waves or particles, to the gigantic galaxies, though there is variety and plurality that stare us in the face.
In his poem “No Men Are Foreign,” James Kirkup says that though all human beings and worldly things look alike, they are different in myriad ways. He believes that discrimination based on superficial things is not an idea to be admired. However, he believes that it is the diversity from the divine that makes this vast place an example to be replicated. From William Wordsworth to John Keats, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Oliver Goldsmith have admired every aspect of the diversity of the world. Goldsmith calls himself the citizen of the world. Nehru cherishes every dimension of the grand structure of the ancient period, medieval, and modern periods of India. Wordsworth sings heartfelt melodies to bring charm and bliss to the so-called dull life of that period. He does away with the axiom of one size fits all and demolishes the so-called grand buildings of monotony. In the same vein, Will Durant in his grand treatises has shown a mirror to the world in which cultural exchanges multiply and leave a long-lasting impact on the sands of history and civilization. Apart from these, the Holy books leave no stone unturned to make people understand how diversity is an elixir of life.
On the contrary, ignoring the variety and variability of everything brings dullness and weariness in life. When the same kind of thoughts and ideologies prevail everywhere, it reduces the horizon of the broad and vast world to nothingness. It gives rise to dead-living who have nothing to offer but their already-trodden paths that smack of stench, where it is impossible to discern life from death. The sweetness of life is mingled with the toxicity of monotony and sameness when we are not ready to give space to the newness and the freshness of modernity and diversity. Modern in the sense of introspection and cross-checking.
In the present times, everyone is at loggerheads with each other. The reason is simple: avoiding diversity and following the one-size-fits-all in letter and spirit. Every day there are instances of violent incidents taking place in the nook and corner of the world due to embracing one’s thoughts and ways firmly to your brain and chest. People have been hardwired to believe that variety and variability demand hard work, politeness, going through the grind, etc. Instead of going through these soul-tiring stages, they believe in the myth of fake orthodoxy and sing the parables of the supernatural world, where humanity laments while superstitions win the day. Scrolling social media sites, one is bound to come across innumerable instances when the hard-core and the possessors of super knowledge beat their chests to prove that theirs is the only way to survive and triumph in this ephemeral world. However, they forget that they themselves preach and teach diversity and plurality, without having an iota of knowledge about this. It is also a fact that no one gives heed to those who dislike diversity and remain fixed to those standards that have to be reinterpreted keeping the needs of the time in mind.
To live a happy, contented, and fruitful life, we must find a balance between the status quo and plurality. The priority in this regard is to do away with the maxim of one size fits all. Instead, we must act in the way that was highly recommended by Maulana Wahid-Ud-Din Khan. Speaking of diversity, he believed that every ideology and the modern isms have some kind of foundation and legitimacy. However, judging all of them on standard parameters makes the way possible for a fruitful discussion paves the way for constructive dialogues and does away with the all-pervasive noise of authenticating legitimacy to a particular thought or mindset. Seeing through this angle and the vision set by Oliver Goldsmith when he talked of multilateralism and plurality, it becomes quite clear that the cobwebs of monotony must be cleared at the earliest.
Respecting one another’s views and beliefs is the only way forward. Osho also says that plurality is the lifeline of this world and giving proper space to others to speak out their hearts and brains has the potential to bring greater relief in our lives than the constant and unthinkable slurs of the past, hurled at each other for no solid reason. As mentioned above, when the winds of technology are blowing hard and fast and every word is passed through the toughest stages of authenticity, everyone must nudge themselves and bring themselves to their senses.
For the sake of lesser evil, why can’t we say that you are right too? Your beliefs are true and sacrosanct, and I respect these by the core of my heart. We all are right in many respects. All ideologies are right in their ways. Instead of thrusting things on others, let us try our best to make other so-called opponents realize how variety is the main goal to be achieved. It is a thorny path, and there is a cent percent chance that the feet will be certainly wounded. However, the pains of the road don’t matter when the destiny is glorious and the prize is the happiness of the Almighty and the supreme contentment of the heart.