New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Kashi Tamil Sangamam in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi on Sunday. He is on a two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency. On the first day of his visit, PM Modi launched the second edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam at the Namo Ghat. He also flagged off the Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express, which is to ply between Kanyakumari and Varanasi.
"Going to Varanasi from Tamil Nadu means going from Mahadev's one home to another. That's why the bond between people of Tamil Nadu and Varanasi is special," he remarked.
“In other countries, the nation has been a political definition, but India as a nation is made up of spiritual beliefs. India has been united by seers like Adi Shankaracharya and Ramanujacharya, who awakened the national consciousness of the country,” PM Modi said.
Lauding the efforts of BHU and IIT Madras behind the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, he said, "I am happy that the Banaras Hindu University and IIT Madras have collaborated to make the Kashi Tamil Sangamam a success. IIT Madras has started the 'Vidya Shakti' initiative to help students from Kashi in maths and science. These things show that the relationship between Kashi and Tamil Nadu is special.”
PM Modi also said the Kashi Tamil Sangamam strengthens the sentiment of 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat'.
The Kashi Tamil Sangamam is set to be held from December 17-31, and 1,400 dignitaries from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, who will visit Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya, will take part in the event. The first batch of Tamil delegation with a group of students from various parts of Tamil Nadu reached Varanasi earlier in the day. They also visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, a government statement said.
Six more delegations comprising teachers, professionals, spiritual guides, farmers and artisans, writers, and traders and businessmen will be arriving in Varanasi later.
Apart from the cultural event, another exhibition showcasing the art, music, handlooms, handicrafts, cuisine from both Tamil Nadu and Kashi, will also be held.
The Union Ministry of Education is the nodal agency for the event. Ministries of culture, tourism, railways, textiles, food processing, MSME, information and broadcasting, skill development and entrepreneurship, IRCTC and related departments of the UP government will also take part.
The Kashi Tamil Sangamam will have lectures on literature, ancient texts, philosophy, spirituality, music, dance, drama, yoga, and Ayurveda.
On the second day of his visit, PM Modi will in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra programme at Barki Gram Sabha of Sewapuri development block, and inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 37 projects worth Rs 19,155 crore in Varanasi and Purvanchal region.
The projects include roads and bridges, health and education, police welfare, smart city and urban development, a statement issued by the government said.