Delegates given a warm send-off

PNS|Vijayawada

The Ministry of Education, Government of India, is organising a month-long ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’ from November 16 to December 19. The objective of the programme is to bring knowledge and cultural traditions closer, create an understanding of our shared heritage and deepen the people-to-people bond between the regions.

As part of the programme, academic exchanges – seminars, discussions etc will be held between experts/ scholars on various facets of the two ancient manifestations of Indian Culture, with a focus on bringing out the links and shared values between the two regions.

Around 2500 Delegates comprising spiritual leaders, teachers, Undergraduate, PhD students, Entrepreneurs and artisans under 12 categories will visit Varanasi from Tamil Nadu free of cost. An exhibition of various arts, crafts, handlooms, handicrafts, cuisine etc of Tamil Nadu will be organised in Varanasi. Various Cultural programmes showcasing art forms will be held during the month.

The first rake carrying 216 delegates for Kashi Tamil Sangamam started on Thursday from Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. About 35 delegates from Rameswaram, 103 from Tiruchchirappalli and 78 from Chennai Egmore boarded the train Train no 22535 Rameshwaram- Varanasi Express for participating in the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam event.

RN Ravi, Governor of Tamil Nadu flagged off the first train service carrying 205 delegates for Kasi Tamil Sangamam from Chennai Egmore railway station in the august presence of Dr L Murugan, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry.

At Vijayawada, delegates were given a warm send-off by the Railway Official Team at Railway Station on Thursday. Addressing the media, Vavilapali Ram Babu, Sr Divisional Commercial Manager said that such a cultural exchange programme highlights the unity in diversity of our nation and strengthens the fabric of traditionally existing emotional bonds between the people of our country and also promotes the spirit of national integration through a deep and structured engagement between States.

He said that it is a wonderful opportunity and experience for students and scholars to explore the nuances of culture and traditions in the north and at the same time exchange the popular cultural and traditional values of their home state.

Vavilapalli Ram Babu interacted with the student delegates and congratulated them for being a part of the great initiative to revive and reaffirm Tamil Nadu’s cultural and historic links with Kashi.