Kashi Tamil Sangamam will revive cultural ties: TN governor

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu governor R N Ravi on Thursday flagged off the journey of the first contingent of 216 delegates to the Kasi Tamil Sangamam.


Speaking to reporters after flagging off the Rameswaram-Varanasi express train (No 22535) at Chennai Egmore railway station, Ravi said the Kashi Tamil Sangamam was aimed at reviving the cultural ties between Kashi and Tamil Nadu that went back to the olden days.

Of the delegates from the state, 35 boarded the train in Rameswaram, 103 boarded in Trichy and 78 delegates joined them in Chennai Egmore. All the delegates were students from various educational institutions, including IIT-Madras, in Tamil Nadu.

The governor interacted with the student delegates and congratulated them for being part of the initiative to revive and reaffirm Tamil Nadu's cultural and historic links with Kashi.

The delegates expressed happiness for the opportunity offered to them by the central government to participate in the Kashi Tamil Sangamam. The students will participate in various cultural events showcasing the rich tradition and culture of Tamil Nadu like Villupaatu, Bharatanatyam, folk dance, Kaliyattam and others in Varanasi during their stay.

Union minister of state for information of broadcasting, fisheries and animal husbandry L Murugan and Kashi Tamil Sangamam selection committee members --Industrialist Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti, vice-chancellor of The Tamilnadu Dr M G R Medical University Sudha Seshayyan, IIT- Madras director V Kamakoti and social and cultural activist Mohammad Asif Ali -- were present.

The month-long Kashi Tamil Sangamam is an initiative by the Centre as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. It is organized by the ministry of education in partnership with IIT-Madras and Banaras Hindu University.

Railways will operate 13 train services from Tamil Nadu to Kashi. A total of 2,592 delegates will travel from Tamil Nadu.

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