Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2023 in Varanasi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2023 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh by flagging off the Kanyakumari – Varanasi Tamil Sangamam train. The PM also launched multi-language and braille translations of Thirukkural, Manimekalai and other classic Tamil literature on the occasion.

The PM then took a tour of the exhibition. A cultural programme was also organised at the occasion. Kashi Tamil Sangamam aims to celebrate, reaffirm and rediscover the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi – two of the country’s most important and ancient seats of learning.

Welcoming everyone not as guests but as his family members, the PM said arriving in Kashi from Tamil Nadu simply means travelling from one abode of Lord Mahadev to the other – Madurai Meenakshi to Kashi Vishalakshi. Highlighting the unique love and connection between the people of Tamil Nadu and Kashi, the Prime Minister expressed confidence in the hospitality of the citizens of Kashi. Along with the blessings of Lord Mahadev, the Prime Minister emphasized that the participants will return to Tamil Nadu with Kashi’s culture, delicacies and memories. Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the use of Artificial Intelligence in real-time translation of his speech in Tamil for the first time and reiterated its usage in future events.

Quoting Subramania Bharathi, the Prime Minister said that vibrations of Kashi-Tamil Sangamam are spreading throughout the country and the world. He noted that lakhs of people including heads of mutts, students, artists, authors, craftsmen and professionals have become part of Kashi Tamil Sangamam since its inception last year and it has become an effective platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas.

He expressed satisfaction on the joint initiative by Banaras Hindu University and IIT, Chennai where IIT, Chennai is providing online support to thousands of students from Varanasi in science and mathematics under the Vidya Shakti Initiative. These recent developments, the Prime Minister said, are proof of the emotional and creative bond between the people of Kashi and Tamil Nadu.

The Prime Minister said that “Kashi Tamil Sangamam furthers the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat.” This spirit was behind the organization of Kashi Telugu Sangamam and Saurashtra Kashi Sangamam, he said.

The second phase of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam will continue till December 30. Last year, the first phase of Kashi Tamil Sangamam was organised from 16th November to 16th December 2022. Nearly 1,400 (7 Groups of 200 persons each) people are expected to be travelling from different parts of Tamil Nadu, representing varied walks of life. During their stay in Kashi, as per their tour itinerary, they will also visit Prayagraj and Ayodhya.

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The 7 groups of Students (Ganga), Teachers (Yamuna), Professionals (Godavari), Spiritual (Saraswati), Farmers and Artisans (Narmada), Writers (Sindhu) and Traders and Businessmen (Kaveri) have been named after seven sacred rivers of India.