Gandhinagar, Wednesday: Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the closing ceremony of Saurashtra Tamil Sangam via video conferencing today.

The Prime Minister recalled that as Chief Minister he organized a similar Saurashtra Tamil Sangam in Madurai in 2010 with more than 50,000 participants from Saurashtra.  He noted he could see the same affection and fervour in the guests from Tamil Nadu who have come to Saurashtra.

Acknowledging that the guests have experienced tourism in Gujarat and visited the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, the Prime Minister said that one can witness the precious memories of the past, emotions and experiences of the present, and resolutions and inspirations for the future in Saurashtra region. He congratulated everyone from Saurashtra and Tamil Nadu for today’s occasion. 

The Prime Minister said that the country is witness to important cultural events like Saurashtra Tamil Sangam, during Azadi ka Amrit Kaal. This event is not only a confluence of Tamil Nadu and Saurashtra but also a festival of worship of Shakti in the form of Devi Meenakshi and Devi Parvati. This is a festival of the Spirit of Shiva in the form of Lord Somnath and Lord Ramnath. “Saurashtra Tamil Sangam symbolises the idea of nation first espoused by Sardar Patel and Subramania Bharati. We have to move forward with this heritage towards nation-building”, the Prime Minister added.

“India is a country that sees its diversity as a speciality”. This diversity, the Prime Minister continued, does not divide us but strengthens our bonds and relationships. He underlined that a confluence is created when different streams come together and said that India has been nurturing the notion of the confluence of rivers to the confluence of ideas in events like Kumbh for centuries. “This is the strength of confluence that the Saurashtra Tamil Sangam is taking forward in a new form today”, the Prime Minister remarked. He elaborated that the unity of the country is taking shape in the form of such great festivals with the blessings of Sardar Patel Saheb. The Prime Minister emphasized that it is also the fulfilment of the dreams of lakhs of freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives and dreamed of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'.

“India has the power to innovate even in the toughest of circumstances, the shared history of Saurashtra and Tamil Nadu assures us of this”, he said. The Prime Minister remembered the attack on Somnath and the resultant exodus to Tamil Nadu and recalled that those moving from one part of the country to another never worried about the new language, people and environment. He reiterated that a large number of people migrated from Saurashtra to Tamil Nadu to protect their faith and identity and the people of Tamil Nadu welcomed them with open arms, and extended all facilities to them for a new life. “What can be a bigger and loftier example of ‘Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat’?”, the Prime Minister said.

Quoting the great saint Thiruvalluvar, the Prime Minister said that happiness, prosperity and fortune come to those who happily welcome others into their homes and emphasized the need for harmony and shunning cultural clashes. “We don't want to find differences, we want to make emotional connections”, the Prime Minister said referring to the people of Tamil Nadu who welcomed the people of Saurashtra origin to settle in Tamil Nadu. He said that the immortal tradition of India which takes everyone along with inclusiveness and moves forward has been showcased by those who adopted the Tamil culture but at the same time remembered the language, food and customs of Saurashtra. The Prime Minister expressed delight that the contributions of our forefathers are being taken forward with a sense of duty.

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel attended the closing ceremony of ‘Saurashtra Tamil Sangam’ as the Chief Guest. Speaking at event, he said “Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, age-old relations between Tamil Nadu and Gujarat have strengthened through the Saurashtra Tamil Sangam.’ He further added that it is due to the efforts and vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister that efforts to revive such historical ties between Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have been made for the first time.

Hon’ble Chief Minister praised the unity of India's ancient cultural heritage; Adi Shankaracharya paved the way for India's spirituality, Chanakya brought unity to politics, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel united modern India geographically. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is highlighting the unity of India among different states and their cultures with the mantra of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, he added, while describing the National Fair in Madhavpur.

Hon’ble Chief Minister expressed his gratitude towards the people of Gujarat for embracing diversity and brotherhood, citing an example from history where the people of Gujarat sheltered Tamilians who were seeking refuge from invaders about 1200 years ago. He further mentioned that the people of Gujarat have preserved their culture and traditions while also assimilating with the Tamilians and strengthening the relationship between Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

“Since Shri Narendra Modi became Hon’ble Prime Minister, India has been moving towards growth and development. Under his visionary leadership, India became the fifth-largest economy in the world” said Shri C.P Radhakrishnan, Hon’ble Governor of Jharkhand.

Hon’ble Governor of Nagaland, Shri La Ganesan said that Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met the people of Saurashtra living in Tamil Nadu when he was Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat. He also said that the cultural linkages of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu and the relations between the two states would be strengthened by the Saurashtra Tamil Sangam.

Hon’ble Union Minister of Information Broadcasting, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy, Shri L. Murugan enthusiastically remembered Tamil musician T.M. Soundararajan during his visit to Saurashtra and mentioned that he had composed a song. The meaning of the song touched many people who became successful including Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shri Murugan expressed heartfelt gratitude to T.M. Soundararajan who revived old relationships after a gap of thousand years, welcoming Tamil Nadu's dignitaries to the land of Saurashtra. The Kanjeevaram silk saree originating from Tamil Nadu is worn by the people of Saurashtra.

Describing the logo of the Saurashtra Tamil Sangam program as the best example of the confluence of two cultures, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Shri Meenakshi Lekhi said, “We must thank Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi for reviving an important chapter of our history from a new perspective. Modiji has done a commendable work of bringing alive the confluence of art, culture, and traditions under the Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav. The dream of our forefathers to achieve Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat is coming true today.” Complimenting the handicrafts of Saurashtra-Tamils, she added that the silk saree of  Kanjeevaram is as famous as Patola of Saurashtra-Gujarat. The workmanship of Tamil families is evident in silk saris. 

 

Health Minister of Gujarat Shri Rushikesh Patel said, “India is a diverse land, with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. But what makes it special is the fact that everyone has Indianness in their heart. This furthers the mission of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ of the Hon’ble PM.”

At the beginning of the event, the dignitaries and participants present paid tribute to the late former Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Prakash Singh Badal, and observed a two-minute silence.

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi virtually released a 113-verse book titled 'Saurashtra Tamil Sangam Prashasti' written by Somnath Sanskrit University for the occasion. Saurashtrian artists also rendered some soul-stirring Tamil bhajans of TM Soundarajan. Apart from this, the team of players from Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, who won in various sports during the Saurashtra Tamil Sangam, were felicitated with trophies and certificates by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel.

Other dignitaries present on the occasion were Maharaja of erstwhile Thanjavur State Babaji Raja Bhosale, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Parshottambhai Rupala, former Union Minister Shri Mohan Radhakrishnan, Tourism Minister of Gujarat Shri Mulubhai Bera, Member of Parliament Shri Rambhai Mokariya, MP Shri Bhartiben Shiyal, MP Shri Rajeshbhai Chudasama, President of  District Panchayat Ramiben Waza, MLA Bhagabhai Barad, MLA Shri KC. Rathod, Minister Devabhai Malam, Shri Bhagwanjibhai Kargathiya, Shri Darshitaben Shah, Santshri Chedalkara Sempaka Mannar, Secretary Shri Harit Shukla, Shri Harshad Kumar Patel, Commissioner of Tourism, Dr.  Saurabh Parghi, Managing Director of TCGL, and others.

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