Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed Tamil culture as a shared heritage not just of Bharat but of the entire humanity. He noted that the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam emphasized its greatness, celebrated the living unity of India’s many traditions while honoring their unique identity and strengthened the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat (One India, Great India).
In a blog titled ‘Kashi-Tamil Sangamam and a tribute to ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”, Mr Modi recounted an episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ in which he said not learning Tamil was the biggest regret of his life.
He said the government has launched various programs to further popularize Tamil culture across India. One such initiative is the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, which “stands out as a truly distinctive initiative that celebrates the living unity of India’s many traditions while honoring their unique identities”. It has produced results such as “enhancing cultural understanding, promoting academic and people-to-people exchanges and creating lasting links between parts of the country that share a civilizational ethos”.
“And what better place than Kashi to host such a Sangamam. The same Kashi that has remained a civilizational anchor since time immemorial…where for thousands of years people from all over the world have come to seek knowledge, meaning and Moksha,” Mr. Modi said, adding that Kashi’s connection with the Tamil people and culture is very deep.
“Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu is known as the Kashi of the South or Dakshin Kashi. Saint Kumaraguruparar Swamigal created a permanent link between Kashi and Tamil Nadu through his spirituality, scholarship and institution building. Mahakavi Subramania Bharati, one of the greatest sons of Tamil Nadu,” said that he found a space for intellectual growth and spiritual growth in Kashi.
The first edition of Sangamamu was held in 2022, and subsequent ones have expanded the scope and depth of the effort. “Tholkappiyam, an ancient Tamil literary classic, has been translated into four Indian and six foreign languages… Sage Agastya’s expedition was undertaken from Tenkasi to Kashi,” the Prime Minister said.
“The expedition paid tribute to King Adi Veera Parakrama Pandiyan, a great Pandya ruler who spread the message of cultural unity… one of the things I enjoy most about the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam is the participation of thousands of young people,” he said. Railways operated special trains from Tamil Nadu to Uttar Pradesh.
Mr. Modi said the people of Kashi and Uttar Pradesh extended warmth and hospitality to the delegates and the local administration worked diligently to ensure their comfort. “As an MP from Varanasi, I couldn’t be prouder!” he said. The valedictorians of Sangamam 2025 were held in Rameswaram and it was graced by Vice President CP Radhakrishnan who hails from Tamil Nadu.
On Wednesday, Mr. Modi joined the Pongal celebrations at the residence of Union Minister L. Murugan, which was also attended by the cast of the recently released film Parasakthi. Addressing the gathering, he said that Pongal has now become a global festival. “In our Tamil life, Pongal is like a joyous experience, embodying gratitude towards the hard work of farmers, the earth and the sun. It also shows us a way to maintain balance in our lives,” he said.
“Our Tamil culture is the shared heritage not only of India but of the entire humanity…,” Mr. Modi said, adding that Pongal inspired people to ensure that gratitude towards nature is not limited to mere words but becomes a part of their lifestyle. “When the earth gives us so much, it is our responsibility to protect it,” he said, citing several government schemes that support this goal.
Stating that Tamil culture was one of the oldest living civilizations in the world, he said it was learning from history and showing the way forward to the present. Inspired by this, today’s Bharat drew strength from its roots and moved towards new possibilities.
The Prime Minister expressed his best wishes to the people celebrating Pongal and other festivals like Lohri, Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu in different parts of the country.
Published – 15 Jan 2026 0:26 IST
