MADURAI: India is so strong and no evil force can divide the sovereignty of our nation, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan said at the valedictory function of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 in Rameswaram on Tuesday. For Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our nation is one eye, and the Tamil language is the other eye.
At the culmination of the spiritual and cultural journey, the programme on the sacred land of Rameswaram signified the unity of historical Kashi and the Tamil language.
In his address, the Vice President credited the Prime Minister for his efforts in making the Tamil Kashi Sangamam more successful. Terming Kashi, which is the spiritual capital and cultural centre of India, and Rameswaram as two shining lamps, the Vice President said both these places, known for spiritual significance, are inseparable.
The Vice President said that both these places, known for their grandeur in India, should foster a sense of unity among all people. Recalling the significant contributions of Mahakavi C Subramania Bharati, he said the poet made his journey to Kashi and earned laurels for Tamil Nadu.
On November 30, PM Modi spoke highly of the Tamil language and its culture during his ‘Man Ki Bhat’ radio programme. With the aid of Kashi Tamil Sangamam, several people, whose mother tongue is Hindi, have learnt to speak Tamil.
Much to the relief of the Nattukottai Chettiyar community, encroached acres of land meant for building a chathiram to provide accommodation for devotees were retrieved and brought back to their possession in just 48 hours at the intervention of PM Modi. Further, the VP said Tamil Nadu should also reach new heights of development.
Governor RN Ravi, delivering his address in Tamil, said the Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS) is gaining popularity every year since its launch and the people of Tamil Nadu and Kashi are happy as the journey revives old relationships.
Highlighting the importance of KTS, the Governor said as many as 300 students from the Hindu Banaras University earned opportunities to learn Tamil. Modi has accorded priority and importance to the Tamil language and its culture. The Governor thanked the PM on behalf of the Tamil community.
Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, L Murugan and State BJP President Nainar Nagenthran also spoke. Earlier, a short film on the Kashi Tamil Sangamam journey was played at the venue. Many people who experienced the days of the journey shared their thoughts and feelings on the occasion.