By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan; Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath; and Union Minister of State for Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan inaugurated the third edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Saturday.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in a message expressed his delight on organisation of the 3rd Kashi Tamil Sangamam. Being held in the midst of the Mahakumbh at Prayagraj, this occasion has become even more significant, he said. The Prime Minister also highlighted the abiding connection between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, between Kaveri and Ganga, that goes back several thousands of years. He also mentioned how the heart-warming sentiments and experiences of the people during the previous two Sangamams showcased the beauty of India’s diverse culture, as well as the strong connections between people.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, in his address, quoted a Tamil verse by Pandya King Parakrama Pandiyan: Neerellam Gangai, Nilamellam Kashi (‘नीरेल्लाम् गंगे, निलमेल्लाम् कासी’), which means all water is as sacred as the Ganga, and every land in Bharat is as revered as Kashi. He highlighted that Kashi, one of the world’s oldest living cities and India’s cultural capital, stands as a beacon of the civilization’s rich heritage, while Tamil Nadu, the epitome of Tamil culture, represents the heart of India’s ancient wisdom and literary glory. He also emphasized how the Tamil people have carried their culture and traditions across the globe, enriching lives wherever they go.
Expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for envisioning the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, he noted that the event serves as a bridge connecting the sublime traditions of North and South India, reinforcing India’s unity in cultural diversity. The event also celebrates the nation’s unbroken cultural continuity, reaffirming the commitment to Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. He further stated that cultural unity is the key to India’s national resurgence, and this Sangamam is a crucial step toward overcoming distances and fostering deeper understanding.
The Minister mentioned that the theme of this edition of KTS was Rishi Agasthyar, a significant link between Kashi and Tamil Nadu, revered in both spiritual and intellectual traditions and revered in both spiritual and intellectual traditions.
In his speech, Yogi Adityanath expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for organizing the third edition of KTS in Varanasi and warmly welcomed the delegates attending the event during the Sangamam. He expressed his delight that the Sangamam coincides with the Mahakumbh, which has already seen participation from nearly 51 crore people and noted that Tamil delegates would also be part of this grand gathering. He emphasized that the theme represents India’s rich knowledge and traditions, revolving around the 4S—Sant Parampara, Scientists, Social Reformers, and Students. Yogi Adityanath further highlighted that the theme has been Sage Agastyar and underscored the profound significance of the Sage in strengthening the confluence of North and South as well as Sanskrit and Tamil.
KTS 2.0 was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at Varanasi on 17th December, 2023, with the first-ever real-time, app-based translation of a part of the Prime Minister’s speech in Tamil for the benefit of visiting Tamil delegates.
Shri Ravindra Jaiswal and Dr. Dayashankar Mishra “Dayalu, Ministers of State (Independent Charge), Govt. of Uttar Pradesh; Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education; Shri Chamu Krishna Shastry, Chairman, Bhartiya Bhasha Samiti; Prof. Sanjay Kumar, Acting Vice Chancellor, Benaras Hindu University; Prof. V. Kamakoti; IIT Madras; Director Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Prof. Amit Patra, and other dignitaries and officials were also present at the event today.
