CHENNAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the reflections of a young Tamil Nadu researcher on the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, describing his words as sincere, inspiring and flowing straight from the heart, an exchange that has drawn attention to the programme's role in strengthening India's cultural cohesion.
The Prime Minister's appreciation came in response to a letter from Prakash Palanivel, a native of Tiruchengode, who participated in the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, a national initiative aimed at reconnecting the civilisational links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi. In his reply, Modi said he was happy that the participant had enjoyed both the journey and his time in Kashi, and made special mention of a poem written by Prakash, calling it deeply touching.
Prakash, currently a research fellow with the Rural Development department of the Tamil Nadu government, said receiving a personal response from the Prime Minister was an unexpected and defining moment. "I never imagined I would get a reply. When the letter arrived, my family was thrilled. It changed how I view him as a leader," he told DT Next.
The Prime Minister noted that the Kashi Tamil Sangamam has, over the years, evolved into a vibrant platform celebrating the Tamil language, culture and its historic bond with Kashi. He also underlined the role of youth participation, saying students like Prakash emerge as flagbearers of the spirit of Ore Bharatham, Unnatha Bharatham (One India, Great India).
Prakash's own journey, he said, transformed long-held perceptions. "I had always assumed Uttar Pradesh was backward in terms of infrastructure. But visiting Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya completely altered that view. The development, organisation and warmth of people were striking," he said.
The four-day cultural tour took participants to the house where Bharathiar lived as a teen in Varanasi, Banaras Hindu University, the Kashi Vishwanath temple, the Ram temple in Ayodhya, and the ghats of the Ganga and the Triveni Sangam. "This was not tourism. It was a cultural and spiritual experience that gave mental clarity and a sense of continuity," he said.
While language posed minor challenges, Prakash said it was never a barrier. "I do not know Hindi, but guides helped, and traders were comfortable with English," he noted.
In his letter to the Prime Minister, Prakash had drawn from Tamil classical literature and Subramania Bharathiar's writings to describe the spiritual bond between Tamil Nadu and Kashi. The Prime Minister, acknowledging the sentiment, said such heartfelt responses motivate him to further strengthen cultural bonds across the country.
For Prakash, the exchange reinforced a larger lesson. "The Sangamam turned assumptions into understanding and distance into dialogue. It made national integration feel personal," he added.