Registration portal opens for fifth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam focusing on Thirukkural

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi launched the registration portal for the fifth edition of the cultural and educational exchange programme named Kashi Tamil Sangamam, or KTS 5.0. The main theme of the programme this year is Thirukkural, which is a 2,500-year-old Tamil text written by the poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar.

Programme Details

The event will take place from November 28 to December 12 to strengthen civilizational bonds between Tamil Nadu and Kashi. Around 1,400 participants from Tamil Nadu will travel in seven groups of 200 people each for an eight-day trip. This journey includes four days of travel and four days of visits with structured programmes in Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya.

Outreach Plans

The Ministry of Education plans to reach out to students through 1,000 higher education institutions across the country. Thirukkural experts from Tamil Nadu will visit schools and colleges in Varanasi to introduce students to core values through quizzes and interactive sessions. The National Book Trust and Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya will also conduct sessions on storytelling and reading habits in Varanasi schools.

Context

Cultural exchange programmes help connect different regions of the country by bringing people together to share traditions and history. This particular initiative builds on long-standing spiritual and educational ties between northern and southern India.