Lucknow [UP]: The fifth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam will be held from November 28 to December 12, with a focus on strengthening the cultural and civilisational ties between Tamil Nadu and Kashi through the teachings of the classical Tamil text Thirukkural.
Union Minister for Education Pralhad Joshi on Thursday launched the registration portal for Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0, themed “Thirukkural Payilvom – Thirukkural Abhyas Karen”, which emphasises learning and understanding the timeless ethical and moral teachings of the ancient text.
Speaking at the launch, the Union Minister highlighted India’s longstanding cultural unity and the historical connections between northern and southern India. He said the programme would bring together students, teachers, writers, professionals, agriculturalists, artists, women and spiritual scholars to promote national integration and celebrate India’s shared civilisational heritage.
The programme is organised by the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education in collaboration with IIT Madras, Banaras Hindu University, the Central Institute of Classical Tamil and the governments of Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, along with other central ministries and departments.
Around 1,400 participants from Tamil Nadu, divided into seven groups of approximately 200 people each, will take part in an eight-day programme comprising four days of travel and four days of visits and structured activities. The itinerary will cover Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya, with cultural, academic, spiritual and domain-specific engagements.
The first edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam was held in 2022. Over the previous four editions, the initiative has facilitated exchanges of knowledge, language, traditions and experiences between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.
As part of the fifth edition, a nationwide student engagement programme will be conducted across 1,000 higher education institutions to promote awareness and understanding of the Thirukkural among students from diverse academic and linguistic backgrounds. Activities will include structured study, research and campus-based programmes.
Experts on the Thirukkural from Tamil Nadu will also visit schools and colleges in Varanasi to introduce students to the text’s core values through interactive sessions, orientation programmes and quizzes. The National Book Trust, in collaboration with the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, will organise school-level activities focusing on reading habits, storytelling and creativity.
The initiative will also use technology and multilingual resources to make the teachings of the Thirukkural accessible to a wider audience.
Registration for Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0 opened on October 22 through the official portal, https://kashitamil.iitm.ac.in/. Eligible applicants can register under seven categories: students; teachers; writers and media professionals; agriculture and allied sectors; professionals and artisans; women; and spiritual leaders. The last date for registration is November 13, 2026.
[DD News]