Meet Ara Alam, the Muslim woman who has been carving Shiva Lingams in Varanasi for 17 years

India is a nation of many cultures and many religions. Yet, despite the differences, people say we are the same. Cynics believe that 'hum sab ek hai' is a cliche, and have thousands of examples to back  why everyone is different.

Yet, there are those who want us to believe that there is hope for humanity. Varanasi resident Alam Ara has been making Shiva Lingams for the past 17 years.

UP: Varanasi's Alam Ara making Shiva Lingam for the last 17 years to earn a living, says "this is god-gifted art, we make it with love" pic.twitter.com/bIJZvvWGoe

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) July 22, 2017

Ye humari rozi hai...Hindu-Muslim se kuch nahi hota hai. Hum Hindustani hain: Varanasi's Alam Ara on making Shiva Lingam for 17 years pic.twitter.com/aASkM4nkW3

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) July 22, 2017

Ara, who is one of millions of Muslim artisans in India, says, "It is a God-gifted art and we make the lingam with love."

On asked by ANI whether her religion has come in the way, she said, "This is our daily bread. When it comes to our art, we aren't Hindus or Muslims. We're Indians first and always."

And that's why there is hope.

With ANI inputs