PM Modi Inaugurates Month-long 'Kashi Tamil Sangamam' In Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 'Kashi Tamil Sangamam', a month-long programme, on 19 November in Varanasi to rediscover, reaffirm and celebrate age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.

During the inaugural programme, PM Modi interacted with the delegates coming from Tamil Nadu. The inauguration ceremony also witnessed various cultural performances such as vocal rendition by Ilaiyaraaja and book releases.

The programme is being organised by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with other ministries like culture, textiles, railways, tourism, food processing, information and broadcasting, and the Uttar Pradesh government.

'The programme aims to provide an opportunity for scholars, students, philosophers, traders, artisans, artists and people from other walks of life from the two regions to come together, share their knowledge, culture and best practices and learn from each others’ experience,' a senior Ministry of Education official said.

'The endeavour is in sync with the new National Education Policy 2020’s emphasis on integrating the wealth of Indian knowledge systems with modern systems of knowledge.

'IIT Madras and the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) are the two implementing agencies for the programme,' the official added.

More than 2,500 delegates from Tamil Nadu under 12 categories such as students, teachers, literature, culture, artisans, spiritual, heritage, business, entrepreneurs, and professionals will be visiting Varanasi on an eight-day tour.

'They will participate in seminars and site visits in special programmes curated for each of the 12 categories to interact with local people of the same trade, profession and interest.

'Students of BHU and other Higher Educational Institutions will be participating in the academic programmes,' the official said.

'They will study the comparative practices pertaining to various sectors in the two regions and document the learnings.

'The first group of delegates consisting of 200 students started their tour from Chennai on 17 November and their train was flagged off by Governor of Tamil Nadu R N Ravi from Chennai Railway Station,' the official added.

A month-long exhibition of handlooms, handicrafts, books, documentaries, cuisine, art forms, history, and tourist places of the two regions will be put up in Varanasi for the benefit of the local people.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on 18 November took stock of the preparations. He also received guests from Tamil Nadu at the Banaras railway station.

'Vanakkam Kashi!' tweeted the Minister along with pictures of welcoming of the first group of delegates at the station.

BJP Tamil Nadu state president K Annamalai also tweeted saying, 'History is made today at Kasi. Several Adheenams from Tamil Nadu assembled today at the Kasi Vishwanath Temple and thanked our Hon. PM Thiru @narendramodi avargal for envisioning the noble idea of #KasiTamilSangamam.'

Talking to reporters, Pradhan said he got the opportunity to meet the nephew of Tamil poet Subramania Bharathi, K V Krishnan and his family on Friday.

'The home of Bharati, one of the greatest Tamil litterateurs of all times, at the Kashi Hanuman Ghat has been a centre of learning and a holy pilgrimage,' Pradhan said.

'Bharathi's writings on social justice and women empowerment are relevant even today. It was in Kashi where Bharathi got inclined towards spirituality and nationalism and he remained devoted to this for his entire of his life,' Pradhan said.

(with inputs from PTI)