Fourth Kashi Tamil Sangamam train departs from Kanyakumari

The first train part of the fourth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam began its journey from Kanyakumari on Saturday with 45 delegates. The Kashi Tamil Sangamam, the annual cultural and educational exchange programme celebrating the civilisational links and timeless bonds between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, enters its fourth edition from December 2 to 15 in Varanasi.

“The first train began its journey from Kanyakumari with 45 delegates. It will be joined by 86 delegates at Tiruchirappalli and 87 delegates from Chennai, bringing the total in this first batch to 216 delegates. The group comprises 50 Tamil literary experts, 54 cultural scholars, in addition to students, teachers, artisans, classical singers, and instructors and students of spiritual texts,” a senior Ministry of Education official said.

At Kanyakumari Railway Station, the delegates were seen off on Saturday morning by MLA MR Gandhi, along with members of the public. This year’s major highlights include the Valedictory Function at Rameswaram, marking the grand culmination of the event, and the launch of a new initiative — Tamil Karpom — enabling students from North India to learn Tamil in Tamil Nadu.

“Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 will be organised around the theme ‘Learn Tamil — Tamil Karkalam’, with the aim to promote Tamil learning across India and foster wider appreciation for India’s classical linguistic and literary heritage.

“In this edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam, more than 1,400 delegates from Tamil Nadu will participate under seven categories,” a senior Education Ministry official said. Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 will formally commence with an inaugural function on December 2 at NaMo Ghat, Varanasi.

The edition coincides with Karthigai Deepam, one of Tamil Nadu’s most auspicious festivals, celebrated on December 4.