Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS) 4.0 was inaugurated with grandeur in the august presence of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education, and Shri Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, today.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Dharmendra Pradhann extended a welcome to all the delegates and participants of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 and wished them a pleasant stay. He said that the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, envisioned by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has built a remarkable knowledge bridge between Kashi and Tamil Nadu, further strengthening the centuries-old bond between these two pillars of Indian civilisation. Shri Pradhan further said that under the Prime Minister’s visionary leadership, Kashi Tamil Sangamam has evolved into a people-led movement and a powerful instrument of experiential learning. 

Shri Pradhan emphasised that India’s diversity and linguistic traditions are its greatest strengths, and therefore linguistic unity and pride lie at the heart of KTS. With Tamil Karkalam -  Let us learn Tamil as its overarching theme, Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 places a strong focus on youth engagement through knowledge and language-based exchanges, while also working to expand Tamil language learning beyond Tamil Nadu, he said.

While addressing the gathering, Shri Yogi Adityanath said that the Kashi Tamil Sangamam is opening new avenues for cultural, economic, and social participation between Kashi and Tamil Nadu. He assured the delegates from Tamil Nadu that their visit to Kashi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya would be a truly unique and enriching experience.

He further highlighted that this year’s theme, will play a vital role in strengthening the spirit of national integration. The significance of the Sangamam, he noted, is further enhanced by the car rally commencing from Tenkasi, which will traverse nearly two thousand kilometres to reach Kashi. Shri Yogi Adityanath emphasised that this ongoing initiative, guided by the Prime Minister’s visionary leadership, will continue to elevate India’s enduring traditions of knowledge, spirituality, art, and civilisation to greater heights.

While speaking at the event, Dr. L. Murugan said that under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, the transformative idea of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat took shape, and it is from this very vision that the Kashi Tamil Sangamam emerged and flourished. He noted that the initiative stands as a testament to the Prime Minister’s commitment to strengthening cultural unity and celebrating India’s civilizational heritage.

KTS 4.0 is being organised to strengthen the cultural and civilisational linkages between Tamil Nadu and Kashi. Inspired by the vision of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the initiative continues to honour the civilisational, cultural, linguistic and people-to-people ties between the two regions, reflecting the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

This year’s edition is centred on the theme ‘Tamil Karkalam - Let us learn Tamil’, which aims at promoting Tamil learning across India. Over 1,400 delegates from Tamil Nadu, representing diverse academic and community groups, are participating under seven categories.

The Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) has translated Tolkappiyam, the oldest extant Tamil grammar text attributed to Tholkappiar (8th century BCE), in 4 Indian and 6 foreign languages. These books were released by the dignitaries today.

Shri R. N. Ravi, Governor, Tamil Nadu; Minister of State for Information &  Broadcasting and Parliamentary affairs, Dr L Murugan; Shri Brajesh Pathak, Minister of Medical Education, Uttar Pradesh; Shri Anil Rajbhar, Minister of Labour and Employment, Coordination, Uttar Pradesh; Shri Ravindra Jaiswal, Minister of State (IC), Stamps, Court Fees and Registration, Uttar Pradesh; Dr. Daya Shankar Mishra, Minister of State, Uttar Pradesh; Shri K. Kailashnathan, Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry; Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education; VC, BHU Prof Ajit K Chaturvedi; Director, IIT BHU, Prof Amit Patra, Director, IIT Madras, Prof V Kamakoti and senior officials were also present at the event today.

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