Is India Ready for Multi Cultural Work Force ?

Is India ready for multicultural workforce ?

By : Ch. Sai Sanjay- NMIMS

Let us first understand what the term 'Multiculturalism' means.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines multiculturalism as the "characteristics of a multicultural society" and "the policy or process whereby the distinctive identities of the cultural groups within such a society are maintained or supported".[1]

India has been home to multiple ethnic groups , hundreds of languages , different religions. The largest democracy it is, India represents multiculturalism in its truest sense.

National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) of the ministry of statistics and programme unveiled a report in June 2013 which says that about 40% of population makes up our labor force, with 41% belonging to rural areas and 37% to urban areas.[2].

But a true 'multicultural' work force just doesn't stop itself at seeing local communities which have been diverse by virtue of coming together at various points in history and coexisting together. Rather, the true measure of multiculturalism is how open is a society to accept people and notions that challenges the status quo and norms that doesn't belong naturally to them .

Understanding the position of the below marginalized sections and their safety , addressing their concerns determines if India is ready for multicultural work force.

Women: India is a traditional paternalistic society. The urban Indian society is warming up to educating and sending their women child , but the conviction rates in molestation , rape cases is abysmal.

The NCRB data shows there were 1,22,292 cases of molestation during 2009-11 but only 27,408 people could be convicted of them. 68,000 rape cases were registered across the country during 2009-11 but only 16,000 rapists were sentenced to prison.[3]

Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 is a small step in right direction . But , unfortunately it doesn't cover women of agricultural and...