Delhi
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Prime Minister Modi at the Pongal celebrations at Minister L. Murugan’s residence in Delhi
A few days ago I was in the holy land of Somnath to be part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv that celebrated the 1000th anniversary of the first attack on Somnath in 1026. People from all over India came to take part in this moment of remembrance, united by a shared reverence for the history, culture and enduring spirit of the Indian people. During the program, I met some people who had previously come and been to Somnath during the Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam Kashi during the Kashi Tamil Sangamam. I was touched by your words of appreciation for such platforms and so I came up with the idea of sharing a few thoughts on this topic.During one of the Mann Ki Baat programs, I had said that not learning Tamil is a big regret in my life. Fortunately, in the last few years, our government has had several opportunities to further popularize Tamil culture across India and deepen the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. A prime example of such an effort is the Kashi Tamil Sangamam. Sangam or confluence holds a special place in our ethos. Viewed in this light, the KashiTamil Sangamam stands out as a truly unique initiative that celebrates the living unity of India’s many traditions while honoring its unique identity.And what better place than Kashi to host such a sangamam? The same Kashi that has always remained an anchor of civilization…where for thousands of years people from all over the world have come together in search of knowledge, meaning and moksha.Kashi’s connection with the Tamil people and culture is very deep. Baba Vishwanath lives in Kashi Tamil Nadu has Rameswaram. Tenkasi is known as Kashi of the South or Dakshin Kashi in Tamil Nadu. Saint Kumaraguruparar Swamigal forged a lasting connection between Kashi and Tamil Nadu through his spirituality, scholarship and institution building. Mahakavi Subramania Bharati, one of the greatest sons of Tamil Nadu, found a space of intellectual growth and spiritual awakening in Kashi. Here his nationalism deepened, his poetry sharpened and his vision of a free, united India took clearer form. There are several such examples that underline this close bond.The first edition of KashiTamil Sangamam was held in 2022. I remember attending the inauguration program. Scholars, artisans, students, farmers, writers, professionals and many others from Tamil Nadu traveled to Kashi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya.Subsequent editions expanded the scope and depth of these efforts. The aim was to continue to introduce new themes, innovative formats and greater engagement, ensuring that the Sangamam continues to evolve while remaining rooted in its core spirit. The second edition in 2023 made greater use of technology to ensure that language does not become a barrier for people. The third edition focused on Indian knowledge systems. At the same time, there was greater participation in scientific discussions, cultural performances, exhibitions and interactions. Thousands of people took part in these events.The fourth edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam began on December 2, 2025. The chosen topic was very interesting: Tamil Karkalam – Learn Tamil. It provided a unique opportunity to the people of Kashi and other parts to learn the beautiful Tamil language. The teachers were from Tamil Nadu and the students from Kashi had an unforgettable experience! This time there were many more special events.Tholkappiyam, the ancient Tamil literary classic, has been translated into four Indian languages and six foreign languages.A unique event, Sage Agasthya Vehicle Expedition (SAVE), was conducted from Tenkasi to Kashi. Various initiatives like eye camps, health awareness camps, digital literacy camps and more took place along the way. The expedition was a tribute to King Adi Veera Parakrama Pandiyan, the great Pandya ruler who spread the message of cultural unity. There were exhibitions at Namo Ghat, academic sessions at Banaras Hindu University and cultural programs.One of the things that makes me most happy about the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam is the participation of thousands of youth. It exemplifies our Yuva Shakti’s passion to deepen its connection to our roots. It is an excellent platform for them to showcase their talent and creativity through the various cultural programs.In addition to the Sangamam, efforts were made to make the trip to Kashi memorable for the participants. The Indian Railways ran special trains to take people from Tamil Nadu to Uttar Pradesh. They were cheered in many railway stations, especially in Tamil Nadu, and the train journey was marked by melodious songs and conversations.At this point I would also like to thank my sisters and brothers from Kashi and Uttar Pradesh for their warmth and hospitality extended to the delegates of the various Kashi Tamil Sangamams. Several people opened the doors of their houses for the guests from Tamil Nadu. The local administration worked around the clock to ensure guests had a smooth experience. As an MP from Varanasi, I couldn’t be prouder! This time the farewell function of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam was held at Rameswaram and was honored by the Vice President of India, Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji, himself a proud son of Tamil Nadu. He gave a very inspiring speech highlighting the spiritual greatness of India and how such platforms deepen national integration.The Kashi Tamil Sangamam has achieved significant results such as strengthening cultural understanding, promoting academic and people-to-people exchanges and creating lasting bonds between parts of the country that share a civilizational ethos. In the coming times we want to make this platform even more lively. Most importantly, it has promoted the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”. This spirit has flourished for centuries through our festivals, literature, music, art, cuisine, architecture, knowledge systems and more.This season is very auspicious for people across India. People enthusiastically celebrate various festivals like Sankranti, Uttarayan, PongalMagh Bihu, which are associated with the sun, nature and agriculture, among other things. These festivals bring people together and deepen the spirit of harmony in our society. I extend my best wishes to these celebrations and hope that they continue to inspire us to deepen national unity through our shared heritage and collective participation.The author is the Prime Minister of India
