Ahead of Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, PM Modi hails cultural unity on Mann ki Baat

Modi also spoke about inaugurating the world’s largest LEAP engine MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facility for civil aircraft in Hyderabad, attending a ceremony in Mumbai where the INS Mahe was inducted into the Indian Navy, and the opening of the Skyroot Infinity Campus in Hyderabad.

Speaking about the fourth Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, Modi said that it begins on 2 December in Varanasi and has an “interesting” theme of Tamil Karkalam, or Learn Tamil. “The confluence of the world’s oldest language and one of the world’s oldest cities is always a wonderful experience…The Kashi-Tamil Sangamam has become an important platform for all of those who are attached to the Tamil language,” Modi said. He added that whenever one spoke to the people in the host city, they always said that they enjoyed being a part of the event.

“Here, they get the opportunity to learn something new and meet new people. This time too, the people of Kashi are very eager to welcome their brothers and sisters from Tamil Nadu with full enthusiasm. I urge all of you to be a part of the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam. Along with this, do consider other platforms as well that strengthen the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat-Shrestha Bharat’,” he added.

In his address, Modi also spoke a few lines in Tamil, which translate to, “Tamil culture is great, Tamil language is great, and Tamil is the pride of India.” In 2022, Modi inaugurated the first edition of the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi of Uttar Pradesh, his parliamentary constituency.

Vocal for local and G-20 summit in South Africa

In Sunday’s address, Modi also reminded citizens of his “vocal for local” mantra. He recounted that at the recent G-20 summit in South Africa, he gave presents to several world leaders that were based on the craftsmanship of local artists from Rajasthan, Telangana, and Kerala, among other places.

Ahead of the festive Christmas and year-end period, Modi urged Indians to boost the “vocal for local” campaign. “I will remind you again, remember the mantra of ‘vocal for local’, buy only what is made in the country, sell only what bears the hard work of a citizen of the country,” he said.

Speaking about his recent visit to Bhutan, Modi said that everyone thanked Indians for sending Buddhist relics there. He said similar
initiatives were undertaken to take Buddhist relics to Russia, Vietnam, Mongolia, and Thailand. “Even the king of Thailand visited to have a darshan. It is heart-warming to see such a deep connection to the sacred relics of Bhagwan Buddha across the world,” he said.
Modi also said that November was a “super hit” for India in sports and praised the Indian women’s team that won the ICC World Cup, India’s performance at the Deaflympics in Tokyo, women players who won the Kabaddi World Cup, and the women’s team that won the Blind Cricket World Cup, among other achievers.

The prime minister also highlighted India’s potential for winter tourism and said that destinations like Auli, Munsyari, Chopta, and Deyara were gaining popularity during the winter season. He also spoke about the upcoming winter games in Uttarakhand and how hills were becoming popular for destination weddings.