RAMESHWARAM : The Valedictory Function of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0, a flagship cultural integration initiative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, was held today (30th December 2025) at Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu.
This occasion is of historic significance as it marks the first time valedictory ceremony of Kashi Tamil Sangamam was hosted in Tamil Nadu, symbolically completing the sacred civilisational journey from Kashi to Rameshwaram.
Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0, held from 2nd to 15th December 2025 in Varanasi, brought together students, academicians, artists, writers and cultural practitioners from across the country. The programme celebrated the deep-rooted cultural, spiritual, linguistic and philosophical linkages between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, reaffirming India’s civilisational unity and shared heritage.
The programme was graced by the Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, as the Chief Guest. Shri R.N. Ravi, Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Education, Shri L. Murugan, Hon’ble Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, and Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, also took part along with other distinguished dignitaries and stakeholders.
Delivering the valedictory address, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, Hon’ble Vice President of India, said, “The two holy cities of Kashi and Rameswaram have an unbreakable bond. This is why the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi envisioned the inaugural event at Kashi and the valedictory at Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu and invited all of you. Kashi is the spiritual capital of the world because of its special place India’s long history.”
Further, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said, “It is also noteworthy that this event is being held in the place of former President Shri APJ Abdul Kalam.”
As in previous editions, IIT Madras and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) served as the nodal institutions for implementing Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0, in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh and several Central Ministries, including Culture, Railways, Textiles, and Tourism.
Further, Shri R.N. Ravi, Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, said, “Thousands of students from different parts of India learned Tamil through the ‘Tamil Karkalam’ initiative undertaken during Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0. Further, 300 North Indian Students came to Tamil Nadu to learn Tamil.”
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Education, added, “It is the civilizational idea that Kasi Tamil Sangamam brings to life, not as an abstract concept but as a lived and shared experience. The theme of Kasi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 is to learn Tamil. The initiative reflects a clear civilizational intent. Learning Tamil is not limited to acquiring the language but it opens the gateway to India’s ancient wisdom. Through Tamil, one encounters traditions of ethics and governance and engages with ideas in mathematics, astronomy and provides insight into medicine, ecology, architecture, and literature.”
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan added, “This commitment to inclusion, where heritage belongs to all, lies at the heart of initiatives like Kashi Tamil Sangamam and reflects the spirit of National Education Policy 2020. As we move towards ‘Viksit Bharat’, development cannot be measured by the economic indicators alone. The clarity shapes innovation, leadership and future of this Nation.”
As part of the valedictory function, the Hon’ble Vice President of India released a set of significant publications highlighting Tamil heritage and spiritual traditions. These include Ramar Temples in Tamil Nadu (Tamil and Hindi versions) by Valayapettai Ra. Krishnan, Wood Carvings of Tamil Nadu (Tamil) by Dr. S. Balusamy, Sign Language Interpretation of Thirukkural, promoting inclusivity and accessibility, and Rishi Agastya – Agam of Tamil and Tamilagam by Dr. K. Hari and Dr. K. Hema Hari. Together, these works reflect the richness of Tamil cultural thought and its enduring influence on India’s spiritual landscape.
Speaking earlier, Shri L. Murugan, Hon’ble Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, said, “I welcome all the delegates who have come for this event. This Annual Event champions the vision of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. The Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is focused on Tamil across the world. The ‘Tamil Karkalam’ initiative saw Tamil teachers teach Tamil in Kashi.”
Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “Kashi Tamil Sangam Valedictory being held at Rameswaram represents the strong historical and cultural connection between Kashi and Rameswaram, and between Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The Ramanathaswamy Temple, a revered Shiva shrine worshipped by Lord Rama, establishes a deep connection between Ayodhya and Rameswaram. This event marks the culmination of a month-long programme during which around 1,500 participants travelled from Tamil Nadu to Kashi under various categories.”
Further, Prof. V. Kamakoti said, “Under the initiative ‘Tamil Karkalam’, Teachers from Tamil Nadu travelled to Kashi to teach Tamil to school and college students. Additionally, through the Vidya Shakti platform, we taught Tamil to several thousands of children at our Centres in Uttar Pradesh. In addition, around 300 children travelled from Uttar Pradesh to Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu to learn Tamil. Tamil Karkalam is a significant national integration initiative designed to encourage people from the North to learn and speak Tamil. All these initiatives were conducted under the banner of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’.”
The programme also featured a short documentary film chronicling the journey of Kashi Tamil Sangamam, followed by addresses from senior dignitaries. Around 2,000 to 3,000 alumni and participants from previous editions attended the event, making it a major national cultural congregation.
The Valedictory Function was organised by IIT Madras on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Government of India. By choosing Rameshwaram, one of India’s most revered pilgrimage centres, as the venue for the valedictory ceremony, the Ministry of Education reinforces the vision of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, celebrating India’s unity through its diverse yet deeply interconnected civilisational traditions.
