Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0, organised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, is set to commence on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025, celebrating the cultural and civilizational ties between Kashi and Tamil Nadu. Banaras Hindu University and the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) are serving as the academic partners for this edition of the programme. Between 2nd December and 15th December 2025, the two institutions will jointly host seven academic sessions covering themes of culture, knowledge exchange and shared heritage. In the run-up to the event, both institutions have conducted a series of pre-event outreach activities across Varanasi to build public awareness and engagement for Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0.

Addressing a press conference, BHU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi said that it was a matter of pride for the university to be an active partner in Kashi Tamil Sangamam since its inception. He noted that BHU and IIT(BHU) have prepared extensively to ensure a meaningful academic and cultural experience for the delegates visiting the campus. He added that Kashi has historically been a centre of knowledge and that KTS 4.0 provides a unique opportunity for knowledge exchange through academic sessions, interactions, and visits to BHU’s museums, libraries, research laboratories and archival collections.

The theme of KTS 4.0, “Tamil Karkalam - Let Us Learn Tamil” reflects the message of linguistic harmony and cultural unity, emphasising that all Indian languages belong to a shared Bharatiya heritage. Prof. Chaturvedi said the programme helps strengthen national harmony by reconnecting regions through shared traditions.

During 2^nd - 15^th December 2025,  seven groups representing students, teachers, writers and media professionals, farmers, professionals and artisans, women, and spiritual practitioners will visit BHU to attend academic sessions curated jointly by BHU and IIT(BHU). The themes include Tamil imagination of Kashi, spiritual and philosophical traditions, inclusive literature and journalism, sustainable food systems, textile traditions, women’s empowerment, and spiritual heritage.

Special exhibits will be displayed at Namo Ghat to showcase the academic and technical strengths of both institutions. BHU’s exhibit will feature multidisciplinary education, research achievements and heritage collections, including demonstrations from Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Bharat Kala Bhavan. IIT(BHU)’s exhibit will highlight research excellence, technological innovations, national missions and curated videos presenting the institute’s academic profile.

A key feature in this edition is the initiative to teach Tamil in schools of Varanasi. Tamil teachers proficient in Hindi, trained by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT), Chennai, will teach 1,500 students using a five-volume study material designed to teach Tamil through Hindi. The programme is coordinated by the Tamil Section, Department of Indian Languages, BHU, in collaboration with the Varanasi district administration.

Another major initiative is the visit of 300 students from Varanasi to Tamil Nadu, selected through an online quiz developed by BHU. The selected students will visit sites and institutions of cultural, spiritual and historical importance in Tamil Nadu.

*****

AK

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2202414) आगंतुक पटल : 165