The second phase of Kashi Tamil Sangamam is being organized from 17^th to 30^th December in the holy city of Kashi. The first group of students named after the sacred river ‘Ganga’ left Chennai today. Tamil Nadu Governor, Shri R N Ravi, along with Nawab of Arcot, Swamiji's from Ramkrishna Mission and other dignitaries flagged off the first batch at the Dr MGR Chennai Central Railway Station. A cultural programme was also organized at the Chennai Railway Station before the departure of the batch.

It is noteworthy that more than 1400 representatives divided into seven groups comprising Students (Ganga), Teachers (Yamuna), Professionals (Godavari), Spiritual (Saraswati), Farmers and Artisans (Narmada), Writers (Sindhu) and Traders and Businessmen (Kaveri), named after seven sacred rivers of India, will travel from Chennai, Coimbatore and Kanyakumari to participate in the second phase of Kashi Tamil Sangamam.

More than 42,000 registrations were received till 8th December 2023 from delegates willing to attend the conference, out of which 1400 people divided into 7 groups, comprising 200 people in each group, were selected by the selection committee. Ministry of Education is the nodal Ministry for this programme, along with Ministries of Culture, Railways, Tourism, Textiles, Food Processing (ODOP), MSME, Information & Broadcasting, and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.

There will be participation of the Ministry of Culture along with other concerned departments of the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Government of Tamil Nadu. Leveraging from the learning of the first phase and considering its reputation for research, IIT Madras will be acting as the implementing agency in Tamil Nadu and Banaras Hindu University in Uttar Pradesh.

The representative itinerary will include a 2-day outbound trip, a 2-day return trip to Banaras and a one-day trip, each to Prayagraj and Ayodhya. Stalls showcasing art and culture, handlooms, handicrafts, cuisine and other special products of Tamil Nadu and Kashi will be set up. Cultural programmes combining the cultures of Tamil Nadu and Kashi will also be organized at the Namo Ghat in Kashi.

During the entire period of the event, seminars, discussions, lectures, etc. will be organized on various aspects of knowledge like literature, ancient texts, philosophy, spirituality, music, dance, drama, yoga, ayurveda, handloom, handicrafts along with modern innovations, business exchanges, EdTech and other next-generation technologies. Apart from this, experts and scholars, local practitioners of various disciplines/professions from Tamil Nadu and Kashi will also participate in these exchanges so that a body of practical knowledge/innovation can emerge from mutual learning in different areas.

The first phase of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam was organized from 16^th November to 16^th December 2022, with the Ministry of Education working as the nodal agency. More than 2500 people from Tamil Nadu representing 12 different walks of life travelled to Kashi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya on an 8-day tour during which they had the opportunity to get an immersive experience of different aspects of life in and around Varanasi.

Owing to the overwhelming response to the first Kashi Tamil Sangamam in 2022, it was decided to organise the second Sangamam in 2023. The opening ceremony will be on 17^th December, on the first day of Tamil month Margaḻi, which is celebrated as a holy month in Tamil Nadu.

    

 

    

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