Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during the inauguration of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2.0, at Namo Ghat in Varanasi, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023.
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: The second phase of Kashi Tamil Sangamam was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Varanasi’s Namo Ghat on Sunday.
The initiative was launched by the Centre in 2022 to relink the connections between Varanasi and Tamil Nadu, with the BJP government believing that both the regions were important seats of learning in ancient India.
Inaugurating the initiative, Modi said that Kashi, as Varanasi is known as popularly, and Tamil Nadu share deep emotional bonds.
“Coming from Tamil Nadu to Kashi means coming from one of Mahadev’s home to another. That’s why the bond between people of Tamil Nadu and Kashi is special,” he said.
While the first batch of Tamil students from various parts of Tamil Nadu reached Varanasi to attend the 15-day-long festival, six more such groups comprising teachers, professionals, spiritual, farmers, artisans, writers and businessmen will also participate in the event in the coming days. In total, 1500 people are set to take part in the transfer programme.
Before the run-up for the Lok Sabha elections, this programme is intended to increase BJP’s popularity in Tamil Nadu. Besides, in the new Parliament building as well, Modi government had placed the 'Sengol' - a symbol of transfer of power.
“This feeling of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ was also visible when we entered the new Parliament building. The 'Sengol' has been installed there. Under the guidance of the saints of Adheenam, this same 'Sengol' became the symbol of transfer of power in 1947,” Modi reiterated.
The education ministry, in a release, said that stalls showcasing art and culture, handlooms, handicrafts, cuisine and other special products of Tamil Nadu and Kashi will be part of the programme.
“Cultural programmes combining the cultures of Tamil Nadu and Kashi will also be organised at the Namo Ghat in Kashi. During the entire period of the event, seminars, discussions, lectures, etc. will be organised on various aspects of knowledge like literature, ancient texts, philosophy, spirituality, music, dance, drama, yoga, ayurveda, handloom, handicrafts along with modern innovations, business exchanges, edtech and other next-generation technologies,” a release from the ministry said.