Our national anthem extols the extent of India by naming a few provinces of those days: ‘Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, Maratha; Dravid, Utkal, Banga’. To many of us who have had the opportunity to travel through the length and breadth of our nation, the phrase “unity in diversity” comes alive. One can travel from Kerala where the new year is ushered in on Bisu, typically April 14, to Punjab where it is Baisakhi and Assam where it is called Bihu — all on the same day. Yet the colours, the costumes, the cuisine and the. . .
