The spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ soared higher as Prime Minister Modi sent Pongal greetings amid the vibrant Kashi-Tamil Sangam celebrations. This harvest festival, deeply rooted in Tamil culture, found a new home in Varanasi, symbolizing India’s cultural mosaic.
Pongal festivities kicked off with traditional fervour: steaming pots of pongal rice overflowed as a sign of abundance, cattle were adorned, and homes glowed with rangoli. PM Modi’s timely message praised the Sangam’s role in fostering brotherhood. ‘Pongal in Kashi is our shared joy,’ he noted.
The initiative pairs Varanasi’s spiritual legacy with Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian richness through events like joint poojas, art fusions, and youth exchanges. Participants shared stories of how these bonds transcend geography.
In a nation of myriad festivals, such crossovers are vital. They educate the young on pluralism and dismantle stereotypes. The PM’s involvement personalizes this national agenda, inspiring grassroots participation.
Closing the event, organizers announced expansions, including digital platforms for virtual Sangams. Pongal 2024 thus not only celebrated harvest but harvested unity, with Modi’s vision at its core.