PM urges citizens to join Kashi-Tamil Sangamam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged citizens to participate in the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam at Varanasi and avail an opportunity to learn Tamil.

In his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ address, Modi said the fourth edition of the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam will commence on December 2 at the Namo Ghat in Varanasi.

“This year’s Kashi-Tamil Sangamam has a very interesting theme: Learn Tamil — Tamil Karkalam,” Modi said, describing the event as the confluence of the world’s oldest language and one of the world’s oldest cities.

He said the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam has become an important platform for all of those who are attached to the Tamil language.

“Whenever one speaks to the people of Kashi, they always say that they enjoy being a part of the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam. Here they get the opportunity to learn something new and meet new people,” the Prime Minister said.

He said the people of Kashi are very eager to welcome their brothers and sisters from Tamil Nadu with full enthusiasm.

“I urge all of you to be a part of the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam. Along with this, do consider other platforms as well, that strengthen the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat-Shrestha Bharat’,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister also said that the people in Puducherry and the Malabar coast were delighted at the naming of the naval ship INS Mahe, a place that has a rich historical heritage.

“Many in Kerala and Tamil Nadu noted that the warship’s crest resembles the traditional flexible sword of Urumi and Kalaripayattu,” he said, adding that it was a matter of pride that the Indian Navy was rapidly moving towards self-reliance.

The Prime Minister also recalled his recent visit to South Africa for the G-20 summit and said the sentiment of ‘Vocal for Local’ was reflected in the gifts he presented to world leaders.

“During the G-20, I presented a bronze statue of Nataraja to the president of South Africa. This is a wonderful example of Chola-era craftsmanship, rooted in the cultural heritage of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu,” he said.

“The Prime Minister of Canada was presented with a silver horse replica. It showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of Udaipur, Rajasthan. The Prime Minister of Japan was presented with a silver Buddha replica. It showcases the intricacies of the renowned silver crafts of Telangana and Karimnagar. The Prime Minister of Italy was gifted a silver mirror with floral motifs. This also showcases the traditional metal craftsmanship of Karimnagar,” Modi said.

“I presented the Prime Minister of Australia with a brass urli, an exquisite craft from Mannar, Kerala. My aim was to make the world aware of Indian crafts, art, and traditions, and to provide a global platform to the talent of our artisans,” he said.

Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 to Begin in Varanasi on December 2

Chennai: The Centre’s Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0, an initiative celebrating the traditional and civilisational links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, will begin in Varanasi on December 2. The fourth edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam is a flagship initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The annual event aims to strengthen cultural bonds between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.

This year’s theme, ‘Let us learn Tamil’ (Tamil karkalaam), seeks to take Tamil language and culture to other parts of the country, symbolising unity and expanding the reach of ancient Tamil texts by encouraging their dissemination into other Indian languages, a PIB release said on Sunday. Under the initiative, students from Uttar Pradesh will visit Tamil Nadu and would be introduced to the richness of the Tamil language. Ten batches of 30 college students each from Uttar Pradesh will participate in visits to various institutions across the State. The first batch of delegates—comprising Tamil literary experts, cultural scholars, students, teachers and artisans—left for Varanasi on Saturday on the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 train from Kanyakumari.

The train was flagged off by local MLA Mr Gandhi along with senior officials, the release said. The event will formally begin on December 2 at NaMo Ghat in Varanasi. This edition is significant as it coincides with Karthigai Deepam, one of Tamil Nadu’s most auspicious festivals, on December 4. More than 1,500 delegates are expected to take part in a series of knowledge-sharing sessions in Varanasi aimed at deepening understanding of India’s diverse cultural traditions. During the eight-day tour, participants from Tamil Nadu will explore Varanasi and nearby regions, including Prayagraj and Ayodhya, gaining immersive exposure to cultural and spiritual Centres. Delegates will also visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, NaMo Ghat, Hanuman Ghat, Banaras Hindu University, Sarnath and the Ayodhya temple.

This edition will also feature the launch of the ‘Sage Agasthya Vehicle Expedition’ on December 2 from Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu. The expedition will conclude in Varanasi on December 12.

The rally commemorates Pandiya ruler Adhi Veera Parakrama Pandiyan, who spread the message of cultural oneness through his historic journey from Tamil Nadu to Kashi, where he established a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and renamed the town Tenkasi (Dakshin Kashi) to reflect the spirit of unity.

The rally will also showcase educational materials highlighting the historical connections between Tamil Nadu and Kashi nurtured by the Chera, Chola, Pandya, Pallava and Chalukya dynasties, the release added.