Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the second edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi and said the programme strengthens the spirit of "Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat".
Modi also flagged off the Kanyakumari – Varanasi Tamil Sangamam train and launched multi-language and braille translations of Thirukkural, Manimekalai and other classic Tamil literature on the occasion.
“Kashi Tamil Sangamam furthers the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat," the prime minister said, adding that the same spirit was behind the organization of Kashi Telugu Sangamam and Saurashtra Kashi Sangamam.
In his address, Modi recalled the establishment of the sacred Sengol in the new Parliament under the supervision of the Aadinam saints reflecting the same spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat'.
Modi noted that lakhs of people including heads of mutts, students, artists, authors, craftsmen and professionals have become part of Kashi Tamil Sangamam since its inception last year and it has become an effective platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas.
He also highlighted a joint initiative by Banaras Hindu University and IIT-Madras where the latter is providing online support to thousands of students from Varanasi in Science and Mathematics under the Vidya Shakti Initiative.
“These recent developments are proof of the emotional and creative bond between the people of Kashi and Tamil Nadu,” he said.
The prime minister observed that while in other countries nation has been defined in political terms, India, as a nation, is constructed out of spiritual beliefs.
India, Modi said, has been unified by saints like Adi Shankaracharya and Ramanjuam.
While observing that a large number of people, students and youth from Tamil Nadu are traveling to Kashi, Prayag, Ayodhya and other pilgrimage sites, the prime minister expressed satisfaction with the peaking interests of the country’s youth towards ancient traditions.
In his address, Modi also highlighted the use of Artificial Intelligence in real-time translation of his speech in Tamil for the first time and reiterated its usage in future events.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and L. Murugan were among others present on the occasion.
