Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 was inaugurated on Tuesday at Namo Ghat. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, addressing the inaugural session, said that Kashi is a land of sanctity, knowledge, and spirituality.
He noted that these two ancient cultures of India have shared an unbreakable bond for centuries. He said that India’s cultural and linguistic diversity is our greatest strength.
Mr. Pradhan praised the academic exchange between BHU and IIT Madras, the active participation of Tamil teachers and students, and the Kashi–Tamil Car Rally.
Recalling Maharishi Agastya, he emphasized national unity and called for freeing ourselves from a colonial mindset.
He said, “Visit any ancient temple or pilgrimage site in Tamil Nadu and you will surely find an idol of Kashi Vishwanath Mahadev there. Just as there is immense devotion toward Rameshwaram in South India, people have the same faith in Kashi Vishwanath. This is the true identity of our civilization and culture.”
The Union Minister recalled that in 2022, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a strong cultural bridge was built between Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which is proving to be unique in many areas, including intellectual exchange.
While Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was observing the exhibition, a Tamil exhibitor said something in Tamil, which was immediately translated into Hindi using an AI tool. Mr. Pradhan praised the Uttar Pradesh government for its preparations for the Mahakumbh.
He said that the Kashi–Tamil Sangamam has now become a mass movement. Finally, he extended a cordial invitation to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to set aside ideological differences and come to Kashi to participate in the event.