Programme to Strengthen Kashi-Tamil Nadu Bond

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 2

Union Government announced a month-long programme to “strengthen” and “rekindle” the cultural and civilisational bond between Tamil Nadu and Varanasi. Named the ‘Kashi-Tamil Sangamam.

• The period will cover the Tamil month of Karthikeya during which all Tamil households go pray to Lord Shiva. 
• This programme, which would be a part of the Ek Bharat Sreshtha Bharat initiative, is aimed at rekindling the civilisational link between the new Kashi and Tamil Nadu — both deep centres of knowledge.
• As part of the programme, a total of 2,500 people divided into 12 groups would be travelling to Varanasi by train during the month-long period. 
• The journey points in Tamil Nadu would be Chennai, Rameswaram and Coimbatore. 
• +The groups would include students, teachers, artisans and people from various walks of life.