India is more than one country: it is, in reality, composed of many countries united into one. Even if the thought is a cliché, it is borne out by any number of facts and figures. Each region has its own uniqueness, and the diversities across the country cover almost all conceivable dimensions, including culture, language, cuisine, ethnicity, religion, dress, climate and topography.
Over time, the initial structuring of the Union, based on “princely States” or kingdoms and British-governed territories, was replaced through the formation of linguistic states. This further evolved towards also recognizing the distinctiveness of. . .
