Kashi Tamil Sangamam is an annual month-long programme started in 2022 organized by the Ministry of Education, Government of India to celebrate, reaffirm and rediscover the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Varanasi. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 19, 2022.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
 An advertisement of the event on a train coach | |
| Date | November 19, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Month |
| Location | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Type | Government Sponsored Cultural Exchange Event |
| Motive | To Celbrate and Rediscover the age-old cultural links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi |
| Budget | ₹15 Crores ($1.8 Million) |
| Organised by | Ministry of Education, Government of India |
| Participants | 2500 |
| Outcome | Increased Focus on Tamil Nadu |
| Website | kashitamil |
Background
editAs a part of "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" to uphold the Spirit of "Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat", and to expand the relevancy of National Education Policy 2020, a proposal was made before the Ministry of Education, Government of India aiming to rediscover the age-old links of knowledge and civilization between the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the Holy City Varanasi (also known as Kashi). The Program was sponsored by IIT Madras in association with Banaras Hindu University.[8][9][10] Ministry of Railways had also announced special trains for Sangamam.[11]
Delegation
editThe Event was attended by Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath and most of the Cabinet Ministers of Government of India including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Piyush Goyal, Kiren Rijiju and I&B Minister Anurag Thakur . It was also attended by prominent spiritual leaders including Sadguru, Swami Ramdev and Sri Sri Ravishankar.[12]
Controversy
editThe Center wrote to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin a month prior to the event seeking his support and participation in the ongoing Kashi Tamil Sangamam but hasn't received a response. The Central government accused Stalin for not supporting the initiative while the DMK leaders accused that the government didn't invite them.[13]
On the end of the event, railway minister shri. Ashwini vaishnaw assures a new train connection between Varanasi and Kanyakumari in the name of "Kasi Tamil Sangam Express" in remembrance of this event but no such trains were operated later.[14][15]
Reception
editThe event received some appreciation and compliments from Tamil scholars and some derision but was marked as a success while the political pundits termed it as a masterstroke of Prime Minister Modi for increasing the focus of Tamil People towards him which could politically benefit him in future. Others pointed out it was obviously a shameless political ploy for Tamil votes that most Tamils didn't even know was going on[16][17][18]
References
edit- ^ "PM Modi To Inaugurate 'Kashi Tamil Sangamam' Today; Over 2,500 Delegates To Participate In Special Programmes". NDTV.com.
- ^ "#Politics | 'History made', says BJP as PM Modi inaugurates Kashi Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi". Nov 19, 2022.
- ^ Goyal, Piyush (2023-01-10). "The beginning of India's cultural renaissance". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ "Kashi Tamil Sangamam: A true example of unity in diversity". Hindustan Times. Nov 23, 2022.
- ^ "PM Modi inaugurates Kashi Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi". Hindustan Times. Nov 19, 2022.
- ^ "Kashi Tamil Sangamam Launched: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Address At Varanasi". TimesNow. Nov 19, 2022.
- ^ https://kashitamil.iitm.ac.in/
- ^ "The Kashi-Tamil Sangamam: Celebrating the confluence of cultures". Dec 15, 2022.
- ^ "Narendra Modi government's Kashi Tamil Sangamam: Why it is a winner in Tamil Nadu". Nov 24, 2022.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu Governor Flags Off Kashi Tamil Sangamam Train Carrying Students, Delegates From IIT Madras". NDTV.com.
- ^ Anand, Saurav (Dec 10, 2022). "Railways announces new train service for Kashi Tamil Sangamam". mint.
- ^ "PM inaugurates 'Kashi Tamil Sangamam' in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh". pib.gov.in.
- ^ "Centre sought Stalin's support, participation in Kashi Tamil Sangamam yet to get response: Sources". Nov 22, 2022.
- ^ Anand, Saurav (2022-12-10). "Railways announces new train service for Kashi Tamil Sangamam". mint. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
- ^ "Kannyakumari Dist Rly Users' Assn urges Centre to introduce Kanniyakumari to Varanasi direct train". Navjeevan Express. 2022-11-19. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
- ^ "Kashi Tamil Sangamam Train Flagged Off By Tamil Nadu Governor". NDTV.com.
- ^ "Tamil Association, CPM Suspect Hindutva Agenda Behind Kashi Tamil Sangamam". newsclick.
- ^ "AICTE, NBT, Others Exhibit Books On Culture, Literature At Kashi Tamil Sangamam". NDTV.com.