Lok Sabha Question No. 1772 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Yogender Chandolia, Shri Mukeshkumar Chandrakaant Dalal, Shri Shankar Lalwani, Shri Pradeep Kumar Singh, Shri Praveen Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1772

ANSWERED ON - 10/03/2025

## KASHI TAMIL SANGAMAM 3.0

1772.   Shri Praveen Patel: Shri Mukeshkumar Chandrakaant Dalal: Shri Pradeep Kumar Singh: Shri Yogender Chandolia : Shri Shankar Lalwani:

## Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the measures are being taken with the special focus on youth participation this year, so as to ensure that young delegates from Tamil Nadu are provided with meaningful opportunities to engage in the event's activities;
- (b) the  expected  economic  impact  of  the  Kashi  Tamil  Sangamam  3.0  on  the  local  economy  of Varanasi and  the regions involved, especially in terms of tourism, trade, and  artisan engagement;
- (c) whether any specific academic and research-based initiatives will be launched at Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0 to promote intellectual exchange between scholars of Tamil Nadu and Kashi, particularly in areas like linguistics, arts and science and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of various steps being taken to make this programme accessible to public at large across the country; and
- (e) the details of any special programmes or initiatives focused on research and innovation under the said programme?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a)  to  (e):    The  third  edition  of  Kashi  Tamil  Sangamam  was  organized  by  the  Government  of India from 15 th to 24 th February, 2025 at Varanasi in line with the recommendations of National Education Policy, 2020 for promoting the spirit of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'. The objective of the programme is to rediscover and strengthen the centuries old connect between the two ancient knowledges  centres  of  the  country  i.e.  Varanasi  and  Tamil  Nadu.    The  Indian  Institute  of Technology,  Madras and  Banaras  Hindu  University,  Varanasi  are  the  nodal  institutions  in organizing this event.

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The  main  theme  of  this  year's  event  is  highlighting  the  contributions  made  by  Sage Agasthya in various fields. In addition to this, the event coincided with the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj and the visit to Ram Janmabhoomi temple at Ayodhya. As such, the Government of India  has  decided  this  year  to  add  youth  focus  in  the  KTS  activities.  Seminars  on  Sage Agasthya and his contributions were conducted in the Universities to make the youth aware about our ancient rishis and munis. The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras was advised to focus on youth during the selection of delegates in different categories. In addition to this, 5 to 10 students of Tamil origin studying in various Central Universities across the country were given an opportunity to participate in the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0 event. This is to enable them to experience the knowledge and culture of Varanasi, holy bath at Sangam, Prayagraj and darshan of Lord Ram at Ayodhya.

Due  to  the  visit  of  more  than  1500  participants  to  Varanasi,  Prayagraj  and  Ayodhya during the 10 days period, KTS 3.0 had positive economic impact in the region. Besides, in the exhibition  held  at  Namo  Ghat  in  Varanasi  in  collaboration  with  the  Government  of  Uttar Pradesh,    stalls  were  put  by  various  Ministries  like  Food  Processing  Industries,  Tourism, Textiles, and institutions like Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT), National Book Trust (NBT), Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Press Information Bureau (PIB), Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) etc. which attracted large number of local visitors and involved sale of products, development of business opportunities etc.

As a part of the KTS activities, 6 academic sessions were held this year involving six categories  of  KTS  delegates  numbering  to  200  from  each  category.  Equal  number  of  local people were also invited and involved them in the discussions on various topics which led to a meaningful dialogue amongst them.  A professor from the  IIT-BHU moderated the Sessions and experts from the domain area were invited to participate in the discussions during various sessions. The delegates were also able to interact with the experts and throw light on various issues.

The event has been given wide publicity across the country through electronic media by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, hoardings were kept at several places in Tamil Nadu  and  Uttar  Pradesh,  and  Seminars  on  Sage  Agasthya  were  carried  out  through  Tamil associations in many states. Apart from these, publicity was also given abroad through Indian missions by conducting seminars/workshops etc. on Sage Agasthya.

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