1. A Study of Diversity in England

2. BBC News Online - Some Views For a long time the UK has been a multicultural state composed of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and also a multicultural society... made up of a diverse range of cultures and identities, and one that emphasizes the need for a continuous process of mutual engagement and learning about each other with respect, understanding and tolerance." "To be British means that we respect the laws, the parliamentary and democratic political structures, traditional values of mutual tolerance, respect for equal rights..." PROFESSOR SIR BERNARD CRICK One of Britain's strengths is its diversity. Our political system is founded on different values. White British culture itself is incredibly diverse. KAREN CHOUHAN

3. Facts and Statistics Location: Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France Capital: London Climate: temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast. Population: 60,776,238 (July 2007 est.) Ethnic Make-up: white (of which English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Welsh 4.9%, Northern Irish 2.9%) 92.1%, black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%, mixed 1.2%, other 1.6% (2001 census). The diverse history of England, Scotland and Wales has led to very different cultural traditions. Government: Constitutional monarchy

4. History of Religion in England Britain used to be a Roman Catholic country In 1533, during the reign of Henry VIII, England broke from the Roman Catholic Church to form the Anglican Church Why did England become a Protestant country? Henry VIII, the king, wanted a divorce. He wanted a son and his wife only gave birth to daughters. He asked the Pope for permission to divorce, but was refused. Henry VIII became very angry and decided to make his own church Protestants Henry VIII became leader of the Church of England (Anglican Church). He had the Bible translated to English and the people who believed in this new religion were called Protestants Back to being a Catholic Country In 1553, Mary became Queen. She changed the country back to Catholicism and burned Protestants who wouldn't change at the stake (similar to a bonfire). All change again In 1558, Elizabeth became Queen. She changed the church back to Anglican and it has been the official religion of England since.

5. The main Religion in Britain Traditionally a Christian state and most people living in Britain are Christian It is the most religiously diverse population in the European Union. British people are free to choose and follow their own religious beliefs. Christianity --main religion Large communities of Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and Jews, and smaller communities of Baha'is, Buddhists, Jains and Zoroastrians.

6.  There are three countries in Britain, England, Wales and Scotland.  The official religion of England is Christianity, as practised by the Church of England (Anglican)  The Church in Wales is also Anglican  In Scotland the official Church is the Presbyterian Church of Scotland  Other Christians in each country also include the Roman Catholics and the Methodists  The Queen (the British Monarch) is 'Supreme Governor of the Church of England'.  Britain is a multi faith society in which everyone has the right to religious freedom.  people are usually very tolerant towards the faiths of others and those who have no religious beliefs.

7. Religions—2001 study There were 41 million Christians in 2001 (72 per cent of population ). This group included : the Church of England Church of Scotland, Church in Wales Catholic Protestant and all other Christian denominations. People with no religion formed the second largest group, comprising 15 per cent of the population. About one in 20 (5 per cent) of the population belonged to a non- Christian religious denomination Muslims were the largest religious group after Christians. There were 1.6 million Muslims living in Britain in 2001. This group comprised 3 per cent of the total population and over half (52 per cent) of the non- Christian religious population. There were 41 million Christians in 2001 (72 per cent of population ). This group included : the Church of England Church of Scotland, Church in Wales Catholic Protestant and all other Christian denominations. People with no religion formed the second largest group, comprising 15 per cent of the population. About one in 20 (5 per cent) of the population belonged to a non- Christian religious denomination Muslims were the largest religious group after Christians. There were 1.6 million Muslims living in Britain in 2001. This group comprised 3 per cent of the total population and over half (52 per cent) of the non- Christian religious population.

8.  Hindus were the second largest non-Christian religious group. There were over half a million Hindus (558,000), comprising 1 per cent of the total population and 18 per cent of the non- Christian religious population  There were just over a third of a million Sikhs (336,000), making up 0.6 per cent of the total population and 11 per cent of the non-Christian religious population  There were just over a quarter of a million Jewish people (267,000), constituting 0.5 per cent of the total population and 9 per cent of the non- Christian religious group  Buddhists numbered 149,000 people in 2001, comprising 0.3 per cent of the population of Great Britain.  Hindus were the second largest non-Christian religious group. There were over half a million Hindus (558,000), comprising 1 per cent of the total population and 18 per cent of the non- Christian religious population  There were just over a third of a million Sikhs (336,000), making up 0.6 per cent of the total population and 11 per cent of the non-Christian religious population  There were just over a quarter of a million Jewish people (267,000), constituting 0.5 per cent of the total population and 9 per cent of the non- Christian religious group  Buddhists numbered 149,000 people in 2001, comprising 0.3 per cent of the population of Great Britain. Religions—2001 study

9. Breakdown of Religions in England and Wales

10. ReligionNumber Christian37338486 Buddhist144453 Hindu552421 Jewish259927 Muslim1546626 Sikh329358 Any other religion 150720 No religion7709267 Religion not stated 4010658 All People52041916 Source: Census, April 2001, Office for National Statistics

11. Other religions in England and Wales  In England and Wales, 151,000 people belonged to religious groups which did not fall into any of the main religions.  The largest of these were Spiritualists (32,000) and Pagans (31,000), followed by Jain (15,000), Wicca (7,000), Rastafarian (5,000), Bahà'ì (5,000) and Zoroastrian (4,000). The distribution of non-Christian religions, April 2001, GB Great Britain—A Melting Pot

12. Language in the UK The United Kingdom does not have a constitutionally defined official language. English is the main language (being spoken monolingually by more than 70% of the UK population) and is thus the de facto official language. Other native languages to the Isles include Welsh, Irish, Ulster Scots, Cornish, Gaelic and British Sign Language. Immigrants have naturally brought many foreign languages from across the globe.

14.  The languages from the UK are: English, Welsh, Gaelic. English is spoken everywhere. Welsh is spoken by around 50% of the population in Wales and remains popular in Wales.  Gaelic has a Scots variant and an Irish variant. However, due to the universality of English in Ireland and Scotland, and immigration from overseas, more people in the UK and Ireland speak languages like Urdu and Polish than Gaelic  There is also Manx (from the Isle of Man) and Cornish (Cornwall) which are related to Welsh. But these are dead languages, no longer spoken. The same is the case with Norn (Shetland and Orkney) which was a variant of Norse  The other language from the UK is Scots. This has the same roots as modern English and has intermingled so long with modern English that it is hard to tell where one ends and the other begins, and there is no one codified set of Scots grammar or vocabulary

15. National or official languages : English, Welsh, French (regional). Literacy rate: 97%–99%. Immigrant languages : Assyrian Neo-Aramaic (5,000), Bengali (400,000), Eastern Panjabi (471,000), Estonian (14,000), Greek (200,000), Gujarati (140,000), Hakka Chinese (10,000), Hebrew (8,000), Hindi (240), Italian (200,000), Japanese (12,000), Judeo-Iraqi Arabic, Kashmiri (115,000), Kirmanjki, Latvian (12,000), Leeward Caribbean Creole English, Lithuanian, Malayalam (21,000), Maltese (40,900), Mandarin Chinese (12,000), Mirpur Panjabi (25,000), Morisyen (1,000), Moroccan Spoken Arabic (5,800), Northern Kurdish (23,800), Northern Pashto, Parsi (75,000), Portuguese (17,000), Seraiki, Shelta (30,000), Sindhi (25,000), Somali (1,600), Southern Pashto (87,000), Southwestern Caribbean Creole English (170,000), Sylheti (300,000), Tagalog (74,000), Ta’izzi-Adeni Spoken Arabic (29,000), Tamil, Turkish (60,000), Urdu (400,000), Vietnamese (22,000), Western Farsi (12,000), Western Panjabi (103,000), Yoruba (12,000), Yue Chinese (300,000). Also includes languages of Ghana, Nigeria, Guyana, West Indies. Information mainly from B. Comrie 1987

16. Welsh National dress is relatively young and not as famous as Scottish National dress. Still they do have a National costume, but it's the way the ladies dress that is most well known, in fact there isn't really a National costume for men although recently through the rise of nationalism in Wales a tartan has been created and tartan trousers or kilts are often worn. For the ladies the typical Welsh costume consists of a hat, made of black felt, with a high crown and wide brim, which is worn over a lace cap. A red flannel shawl is worn over a crisp white blouse, and a full skirt made of wool with a black and white check pattern and a starched, white apron. Proper Welsh ladies always wore black woolen stockings and black shoes and carried a basket, made from willow withies. Great Britain---Costume

17. Scottish National Dress One of the most famous national costumes in the world is that worn in Scotland, the kilt, however some people say that the kilt is not as traditional as some would have it. Be that as it may it is certainly what people associate with Scotland, along with whisky and haggis that is. Some people consider it very bad luck to wear a kilt in a tartan that does not belong to your family. Just to remind you should you visit Scotland any time - the men do not wear skirts - they wear kilts English National Dress The English don't really have a traditional National Dress as such. There have been calls over the years to create a costume, but as usual no-one can decide on what it should look like. Even Henry VIII got in on the act and commissioned an artist called Van Dyck to create an English National Costume, this also failed.

18. Today traditional dress for men in Scotland is a kilt with shirt, waistcoat and tweed jacket, stockings with garter flashes, brogue shoes and a sporran. A bonnet is often worn displaying the clan crest. Traditionally ladies don't wear kilts, they do however wear dresses or pleated skirts in a tartan material. More often though they wear a light plaid or shawl of tartan material

19.  The United Kingdom (UK) is comprised of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland  A strong sense of identity and nationalism felt by the populations of these four countries.  The terms 'English' and 'British' are not interchangeable. 'British' denotes someone who is from England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.  ‘English' refers to people from England. People from Scotland are referred to as 'Scots'

20. Several cultures are represented somewhere or the other in the busy streets and quiet suburbs of London- Has a multitude of people of different ages, races and cultures Moody Goth teenagers with their electric pink striped hair and black clothes mingle easily in the markets of Camden Town and Covent Garden with wrinkly Japanese grandfathers, enthusiastic tourists and local Londoners Every sub-culture in the city is represented by its own speciality shops, restaurants and fashion stores. Not only is there a variety of contrasting races and nationalities living in London, but different generations as well.

21. London's Multicultural Experience  Being one of the largest and most populated cities of Europe, London, the United Kingdom's capital is a cosmopolitan area in which a highly diverse range of peoples, cultures and religions coexist today  According to a Guardian newspaper editorial, "London in 2005 can lay claim to being the most diverse city ever." With more than 300 different languages spoken in London's streets by its permanent residents, such a claim seems at least reasonable.  No frictions amongst the various groups of people and social backgrounds  Multi-coloured skins, national costumes, hundreds of sometimes- mysterious languages, religious symbols proudly displayed add to the widely differing living conditions and magically varied cuisines  This cohabitation occurs peacefully and with surprising tolerance, at least on the surface.

22. MULTICULTURAL LONDON

23.  Churches, mosques, synagogues, catholic, coranic schools neighbour each other  saris, boubous, chadors are brushing against one another; the veiled Muslim woman is integrated in the work force and the ambitious Indian reaches the peak of his/her profession  Medicine, journalism, finance are becoming coloured and provide the most ambitious with high-ranking jobs where all skins are tolerated  for the amateurs, London offers an orgy of restaurants and spicy cosmopolitan foods. Curry, sushi, tagine, mezzes, fajitas, tapas, poule au pot are on the menu.  Irresistible blending of traditions and customs and cultural richness  Musicals, concerts, movies also show a diversity catering for all tastes; everyone can find exotic entertainment or a film in one's own language.

24. Ethnic diversity The UK is also increasing in ethnic diversity. While the majority ethnic group is classified as ‘White British’, the proportion of individuals classified as ‘White’ decreased from 93 per cent in 2001 to 90 per cent in 2007. Ethnic diversity also differs geographically across the UK: Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are not as ethnically diverse as England London is particularly diverse with about 35% of the population from non-White groups. The largest minority groups are Asian or Asian British (14%) and then Black or Black British (12%). Half of the 1.2 million pupils that attend schools in London are from minority ethnic groups. It is estimated that over 300 languages are spoken in London The UK’s diversity is a great asset, and part of the fabric of life, but it also brings challenges, and recently has given rise to discussion of issues around multiculturalism, immigration and national identity.

25.  British food has traditionally been based on beef, lamb, pork, chicken and fish and generally served with potatoes and one other vegetable.  The most common and typical foods eaten in Britain include the sandwich, fish and chips, pies like the cornish pasty, trifle and roasts dinners.  The staple foods of Britain are meat, fish, potatoes, flour, butter and eggs. Many of our dishes are based on these foods. Roast BeefYorkshire PuddingToad-in-the-Hole Roast MeatsFish and ChipsPloughman's Lunch Cottage PieShepherd's Pie Gammon Steak with egg Lancashire HotpotBubble and SqueakEnglish Breakfast Bangers and MashBlack PuddingBacon Roly-Poly Cumberland SausagePie and Mash with parsley liquor Diversity in Cuisine

27. Food & Drink in Southern England The area of Kent has become home to many thriving English vineyards. A few culinary delights to try, include Aylesbury duck, Banbury cakes and Oxford marmalade.

28. Food & Drink in The South West The South West is famous for its beautiful coastline, but it's also a key area for organic farming. In fact, it's one of the richest areas for local produce of all kinds.

29. Food & Drink in Central & Eastern England. The high level of milk production makes the Midlands a major cheese-making region - look out for stilton, Derby cheese, Shropshire blue and Leicester.

30. Food & Drink in Northern England. Since the 1990s Newcastle Brown Ale has been the best-selling bottled beer in the UK, as well as the top-selling bottled beer in Europe, so you know you are in good hands here!

31. Food & Drink in Scotland Scotland has a distinctive cuisine, often based on very traditional foods Food & Drink in Wales Wales prides itself on freshness, quality and variety of produce, from unique cheeses and wines, famous Welsh beef and lamb to fresh fish and seafood.

32. Festivals & Special Days January  New Year's customs  Twelfth Night  Burns Night  Valentine's Day  Chinese New Year  Pancake Day  Saint David's Day  Saint Patrick's Day  The Boat Race  Spring is in the air  Easter in Britain  April Fool's Day  St George's Day  May Day  Beltane

33.  The Chelsea Flower Show  Trooping the Colour  Summer Solstice  The Brits on holiday  Swan Upping  Notting Hill Carnival  Highland Games  Edinburgh Festivals  Thames Festival  Pearly Kings and Queens  Halloween in Britain  Halloween Ghost Walks  Diwali  Opening of Parliament  Bonfire Night  St Andrew's Day  Remembrance Day  Christmas customs  Festive facts and figures  British Christmas Carols  Christmas Shopping  Christmas Cards Festivals & Special Days

34. When Comparing India and England,India appears to be more diverse vis a vis England Westerners tend to look upon India as if it was just one thing. They fail to see the huge diversity that exists within India. India is more diverse than Europe. The differences between Bengal, for example, and Gujarat, two Indian states, one in the east and the other in the west, are more diverse than between Germany and England. The Germans and the English at least share a similar writing system. Bengalis and Gujaratis have different alphabets. Similarly, the differences between North India and South India are even greater. The ways of worship, the ways of food, the ways of a marriage are vastly different between the North and the South.

35. We Need to Transcend our respective diversities and start a movement the world over to eliminate differences,to enrich ourselves from each other’s experience and emerge as a global community The need of the hour

36. We Celebrate Diversity

37. Our countries –both England and India are wonderful examples of Unity in diversity Unity in diversity

38. The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music, where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord. --Baha'i Faith, Science and Spirituality The Unity- and- Diversity Wheel for Universal Cooperation

39. Let us truly honor and serve our local and global communities. Let us aim to create and maintain happiness-joy and inner peace for everyone in a universal village environment and with support from every corner of the world

40.  We are the world.We are the people, interdependent on each other’s support - our connection to the Source of All Life and to all life forms.  We affirm that diverse individuals, groups, and networks are necessary for the creative development of humanity  To strengthen UNITY-AND DIVERSITY throughout the universe is our individual responsibility and privilege We Need to Transcend Diversity

41.  To work towards eradicating terrorism from the face of earth through collaborative effort  To promote world peace and negate all destructive forces  To solve the problem of environmental degradation and climate change  To advance both individual enterprise and human partnership through mutual trust, understanding, and respect  To seek the truth with fortitude of togetherness  To respect the teachings of the prophets and sages of all times and cultures  To provide present and future generations with the opportunity for full realization of their potential  To build with joy a new civilization of freedom, justice, and peace founded on respect for life

42. Life is diverse. Human beings are diverse - that is the natural way of things. The Earth nurtures us all. It revitalizes all people without distinction. A vibrant wellspring of pure compassion surges from its soil, and if we can find our deepest roots in this spring of all-embracing life, then superficial differences of gender and race will no longer divide, but will enrich us all

43. Valuing Diversity A community that values diversity ensures that institutions provide equal treatment and access to resources and decisions for all community members regardless of race, ethnicity, orientation, and physical disability Let us support processes that allow each group to address their own priorities, while at the same time, help the different groups find ; common ground to address shared concerns

44. Thank you Students of Class XI A Kendriya Vidyalaya Sector VIII R K Puram