Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Launches Registration Portal for Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0

Bhubaneswar, Jan 15: Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, has launched the registration portal for the 3rd edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS), which is set to take place from February 15 to February 24, 2025, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The Minister made the announcement during a press conference, where he highlighted the significance of the event in strengthening the cultural and civilizational ties between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.

The 10-day event, which celebrates the deep-rooted bonds between the two regions, will showcase an array of exhibitions, seminars, and workshops focusing on Maharishi Agasthyar, one of India’s revered sages. This year’s edition is especially significant as it coincides with the Mahakumbh and is the first Sangamam after the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya.

The newly launched registration portal, hosted by IIT Madras, will accept registrations until February 1, 2025. The Minister encouraged people from Tamil Nadu to participate in the event and experience the divine connection between Kashi and Tamil Nadu.

The event will include a series of programs and competitions focused on Sage Agasthyar’s contributions to various fields such as health, philosophy, science, linguistics, literature, culture, and art, especially with respect to Tamil Nadu.

Additionally, around 1,000 delegates from Tamil Nadu will be brought to Varanasi under five categories: students, teachers, writers, farmers, artisans, professionals, women, and start-up innovators. The participation of youth is emphasized, with 200 students of Tamil origin from various central universities also attending.

The Kashi Tamil Sangamam aims to rediscover and celebrate the ancient academic, cultural, and spiritual links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, both historic centers of learning. The event is part of a larger initiative by the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with various ministries and the Government of Uttar Pradesh. The program also aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes integrating Indian knowledge systems with modern education.

The first two editions of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, held in 2022 and 2023, received overwhelming responses, with around 4,000 delegates participating in both. IIT Madras and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) will once again play pivotal roles in organizing this year’s event.