"New chapter to cultural tradition...": Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 15 : Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said that the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0 program inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Varanasi was an effort made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to add a new chapter to the cultural tradition of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'.
"PM Narendra Modi aims to add a new chapter to the cultural tradition of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' through Kashi Tamil Sangamam... This programme is being conducted by the Department of Education in collaboration with Banaras Hindu University and IIT Madras," Pradhan told reporters.
He accompanied CM Yogi at the inauguration ceremony for the event, where he said that the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0 was being organised as devotee flock in Prayagraj for the ongoing Mahakumbh, followed by darshan of Kashi Vishwanath.
"The third edition of Kashi Tamil Sangam is also being organised on the occasion of ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj and for the first time this is happening after the construction of the grand temple at the holy Ram Janmabhoomi," Pradhan said while addressing the gathering at at Namo Ghat here.
"After 144 years, the Mahakumbh of Prayagraj has brought good fortune in the lives of all of us," he added.
Speaking to people who came all the way from Tamil Nadu, Pradhan said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made a special request to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and me. He gave us the responsibility of arranging for darshan (in Kashi) and providing accommodation for the Kumbh."
"You would be visiting a fortunate place. You are representing the people of Tamil Nadu. I congratulate you all on behalf of the entire India and wish you all the best," he added.
Meanwhile, Adityanath on Saturday extended his greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after inaugurating Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0, calling it an effort to realise the vision of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'.
"I am grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under his leadership, Kashi Tamil Sangamam is inaugurated for the third consecutive time on the holy land of Vishwanath. For us, this is a part of our efforts to carry forward Prime Minister Modi's vision of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'. This event is important because the world's largest spiritual and cultural event, Mahakumbh, is going on in Prayagraj," Adityanath said while addressing the gathering at Namo Ghat.
He highlighted that over 51 crore devotees have taken a dip in the Triveni Sangam (the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati), demonstrating unity beyond caste and regional differences.
Referring to the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Adityanath said that no other event in the world has matched its scale. He emphasised the opportunity to connect Kashi Tamil Sangamam with this grand spiritual gathering.
Earlier today, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister surveyed Varanasi's ghats ahead of the inauguration of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0. Devotees continue to arrive in large numbers after their visit to Prayagraj, and the survey will continue until February 24.
He also offered prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.