If we ignore Tamil, it will be a great disservice to the nation

Last Updated21/11/2022

Prime Minister inaugurated the month-long Kashi Tamil Sangamam at the amphitheatre ground of the Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi.

An initiative by the Government of India as a part of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” and to uphold the Spirit of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”.
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative portrays unity among the cultural diversity of various states and Union Territories.
Objective: To celebrate, reaffirm and rediscover the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi - two of the country’s ancient seats of learning.
Aim: To provide an opportunity for people from all walks of life including scholars, students, philosophers, traders, artisans, artists etc. from the two regions to come together, share their knowledge, culture and best practices and learn from each other’s experiences.
IIT Madras and BHU are the two implementing agencies for the programme.

Preserve the legacy of Tamil
The PM lamented that despite having one of the world's oldest living languages, Tamil, we lack in honouring it fully.
It is the responsibility of 130 crore Indians to preserve the legacy of Tamil and ignoring it will be a great disservice to the nation.
He stressed on removing linguistic differences and establishing emotional unity.
Importance of Kashi and Tamil Nadu
He hailed Kashi and Tamil Nadu as timeless centres of culture ('sanskriti') and civilisation ('sabhyata').
Both regions are also the centres of the world's oldest languages like Sanskrit and Tamil.
The Kashi-Tamil Sangamam is a celebration of India's diversity and uniqueness.
Kashi-Kanchi have an important place among the 'Sapta Puris', the seven pilgrimage centres that, according to Hindu beliefs, lead to salvation.
The Sapta Puris are - Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya (Mayapuri or Haridwar), Kashi (Varanasi), Kanchi (Kanchipuram), Avantika (Ujjain) and Dwaravati (Dwaraka).