‘Deepens spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’: PM Modi on Kashi Tamil Sangamam growth

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his thoughts on the growth of initiatives such as the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam on the occasion of Pongal on Thursday. He also stated that these initiatives have deepened the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’.

He also said that the initiatives were well received by the people during his recent visit to Somnath during #SomnathSwabhimanParv. Through his official X post, he said,” During my recent visit to Somnath during #SomnathSwabhimanParv, I met people who were appreciative of efforts such as the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam. Today, on the special occasion of Pongal, shared my thoughts on the growth of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and how it deepens the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.’ “

During my recent visit to Somnath during #SomnathSwabhimanParv, I met people who were appreciative of efforts such as the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam. Today, on the special occasion of Pongal, shared my thoughts on the growth of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 15, 2026

Through his official blog, he said, “Kashi’s connection with Tamil people and culture is very deep. Baba Vishwanath resides in Kashi, while Rameswaram is in Tamil Nadu. Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu is known as Kashi of the south or Dakshin Kashi. Saint Kumaraguruparar Swamigal forged a lasting link between Kashi and Tamil Nadu through his spirituality, scholarship and institution-building”.

Mentioning the Mahakavi Subramania Bharati, he said, “Mahakavi Subramania Bharati, one of Tamil Nadu’s greatest sons, found in Kashi a space of intellectual growth and spiritual awakening. It was here that his nationalism deepened, his poetry sharpened, and his vision of a free, united India took clearer shape. There are several such instances that highlight this close bond”.

The first edition of Kashi-Tamil Sangamam took place in 2022. The PM in his blog recalled attending the inauguration programme. He said scholars, artisans, students, farmers, writers, professionals, and many others from Tamil Nadu travelled to Kashi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya.

He noted that subsequent editions expanded the scale and depth of this effort. The aim, according to him, was to continually introduce fresh themes, innovative formats, and deeper engagement, ensuring that Sangamam continued to evolve while remaining rooted in its core spirit. In the 2023 second edition, technology was used on a larger scale to ensure that language does not become a barrier for people. In the third edition, the focus was on Indian knowledge systems. At the same time, academic discussions, cultural performances, exhibitions and interactions witnessed greater participation. Thousands of people have taken part in these events.

He also mentioned the fourth edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, which commenced on December 2. He said, “The fourth edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam commenced on 2nd December 2025. The theme picked was very interesting- Tamil Karkalam – Learn Tamil. It presented a unique opportunity for people in Kashi and other parts of the region to learn the beautiful Tamil language. Teachers came from Tamil Nadu, and the students of Kashi had a very memorable experience!”

He noted that Tholkappiyam, the ancient Tamil literary classic, has been translated into 4 Indian languages and 6 foreign languages.

He said, “A unique event, Sage Agasthya Vehicle Expedition (SAVE), was undertaken from Tenkasi to Kashi. On the way, various initiatives such as eye camps, health awareness camps, digital literacy camps, among other things, were held. The expedition paid homage to King Adi Veera Parakrama Pandiyan, the great Pandya ruler who spread the message of cultural oneness. There were exhibitions at Namo Ghat, academic sessions at Banaras Hindu University, as well as cultural programmes.”

He said one of the things that made him happiest about the Sangamam was the participation of young people. “One of the things that makes me most happy about the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam is the participation of thousands of youngsters. It illustrates the passion among our Yuva Shakti to deepen their connection with our roots. It is a brilliant platform for them to showcase their talent and creativity during the various cultural programmes,” he said.

He said the efforts are aimed at making the journey to Kashi memorable for participants. He mentioned the special trains that transport people from Tamil Nadu to Uttar Pradesh. He said, “In addition to the Sangamam, efforts have been made to make the journey to Kashi memorable for the participants. The Indian Railways operated special trains to take people from Tamil Nadu to Uttar Pradesh. In many railway stations, particularly in Tamil Nadu, they were cheered, and the train journey was marked by melodious songs and conversations.”

He also appreciated the hospitality extended to Tamil guests in Uttar Pradesh. “Here, I would also like to appreciate my sisters and brothers of Kashi and Uttar Pradesh for their warmth and hospitality shown to the delegates of the various Kashi-Tamil Sangamams. Several people opened the doors of their homes for the guests from Tamil Nadu. The local administration worked round the clock to ensure the guests had a seamless experience. As the MP from Varanasi, I could not be prouder!”, he said.

Further, PM Modi praised the Vice President’s address at the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam function held in Rameshwaram. He said, “This time, the valedictory function of the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam was held in Rameswara,m and it was graced by the Vice President of India, Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji, who is himself a proud son of Tamil Nadu. He delivered a very inspiring address, emphasising India’s spiritual greatness and how such platforms deepen national integration.”

He said, “The Kashi Tamil Sangamam has delivered meaningful outcomes, including strengthening cultural understanding, fostering academic and people-to-people exchanges, and creating lasting bonds between parts of the country that share a civilisational ethos. In the coming times, we want to make this platform even more vibrant. Most importantly, it has furthered the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.’ This spirit has flourished for centuries through our festivals, literature, music, art, cuisine, architecture, systems of knowledge and more”.

He emphasised the importance of festivals such as Sankranti, Uttarayan, Pongal, and Magh Bihu and conveyed his best wishes. He said,” This time of the year is very auspicious for people across the length and breadth of India. People are enthusiastically marking various festivals like Sankranti, Uttarayan, Pongal, Magh Bihu, which are, among other things, associated with the Sun, nature and farming. These festivals bring people together and deepen the spirit of harmony in our society. I convey my best wishes for these festivals and hope they continue to inspire us to deepen national unity through our shared heritage and collective participation”. (ANI)