(i) Ethnocentrism makes one feel that one’s own culture and way of life are superior to all others. Ethnocentrism can lead to a biased understanding of other cultures. The ethnocentric group feels their culture is superior, this creates a negative outlook which can lead to arrogance and hatred for others. Ethnocentrism in its extreme form is an obstacle to social harmony as there is sometimes a tendency to encourage excessive ethnocentric attitudes about one’s culture or group to which one belongs leading to antagonism and hatred among various religions and cultures.

(ii) The term social solidarity means various social groups bind together as one in society.

We need to throw away prejudices, selfinterest, self-criticism, learn to respect other’s cultures, reducing inequality and injustice in society. Solidarity can be cultivated through education. Promote new policies or initiatives to eradicate poverty, volunteering and practicing in charity events, donating money, food, clothes, etc. This brings empathy towards others encourages people to bring equality, justice, and peace.

For the sake of social solidarity, respect for other cultures, self-criticism, critical appraisal, reflection, and introspection is necessary. This may help to develop a pluralist way of appreciating the diversities within which we live. The life stories of people are a useful means to understand underlying feelings, beliefs, and threats, and so on.

(iii) India is a secular, multilingual, and multicultural country. These diversities become at times challenges that hinder the progress of society. Various divisive forces like regional disputes, language problems, discrimination on the basis of caste, communal conflicts, terrorism, unequal distribution of wealth, poverty, etc. This divisive force obstructs progress and disturbs the peace and harmony in society.