Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Launches Portal for 3rd Edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, today inaugurated the registration portal for the third edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS), a celebration of the deep cultural ties between Tamil Nadu and Kashi. Scheduled to take place in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, the event will run from February 15 to February 24, 2025. The portal, kashitamil.iitm.ac.in, hosted by IIT Madras, will accept registrations until February 1, 2025.

Announcing the event at a press conference, Pradhan described KTS 3.0 as an opportunity to rediscover and celebrate the age-old bonds between Tamil Nadu and Kashi. The initiative, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat, aims to bring these two culturally rich regions closer and foster unity through shared heritage.

This year’s Kashi Tamil Sangamam holds particular significance as it coincides with the Mahakumbh and follows the recent ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. Pradhan noted that with Maharishi Agasthyar as the central theme, the event will be a profound celebration of India’s cultural, spiritual, and intellectual traditions. He emphasized the contributions of Sage Agasthyar to Tamil literature and knowledge systems, highlighting the importance of honoring this legacy.

The event will feature an array of activities, including exhibitions showcasing the multifaceted contributions of Sage Agasthyar in areas such as health, philosophy, science, and Tamil literature. Seminars and workshops will delve into the shared heritage of Tamil Nadu and Kashi, while cultural programs will celebrate the unique traditions of both regions. Competitions and awareness drives in Tamil Nadu and other cities with significant Tamil diaspora will also be organized ahead of the event.

Approximately 1,000 delegates from Tamil Nadu, categorized as students, teachers, writers, farmers, artisans, professionals, women entrepreneurs, and researchers, will travel to Varanasi to participate. An additional group of 200 Tamil-origin students from Central Universities across India will join to enhance the cultural exchange. The program, spanning eight days, will include four days of travel and four days of activities in Varanasi, with the first group departing Tamil Nadu on February 13 and the last group returning on February 26.

Kashi Tamil Sangamam has gained widespread recognition since its inception. The first edition in 2022 lasted a month, while the second edition in 2023 spanned a fortnight, both receiving overwhelming responses. The Ministry of Education is organizing the event in collaboration with other government departments, including Culture, Railways, and Tourism, with IIT Madras and Banaras Hindu University serving as the implementing agencies.

Pradhan urged people from Tamil Nadu to register and actively participate in this year’s Sangamam, describing it as a transformative experience that bridges cultural divides and reinforces national unity. By integrating Indian knowledge systems with contemporary education, Kashi Tamil Sangamam continues to embody the principles of the National Education Policy 2020, fostering a shared cultural identity and enriching the nation’s heritage.